Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-04-13

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membership dues, and | would favor re.
ducing the price to all members as rapidly
as the financial condition of the Institute
Wei warrant thus bringing its advantages
within the reach of every one having
desire to use it,
Now turning to the recent history of
this case Mr., William Y. Bancroft was SO
impressed during trip through the west
with the fine public libraries which he saw
and with their large circulation that he re-
questcd Mr.. Enos l.. Doan to spend u part
OF his vacation last summer in studying
the workings Of many of these libraries
and collecting statistical information con
cerring them. The results of these in
designations we're very encouraging and
Mr., Bancroft finally brought the matter
to the attention of the Wilmington lnsti-
tute by placing before it these statistics and
by suggesting plans Of public support to
supplement the limited means of the In
stltite and also to take the place of the
revenues now derived from stock holders
dues and from the rent of the auditorium.
He also made himself responsible for the
cancellation OF the present debt of the In
stitute provided the library and reading
room be made free. The members of your
executive committee have long and care
fully considered these matters and have
talked with prominent members of
former boards of directors. They
have considered the suggestions and recon-.
mendations made i'll several citizens meet
ings and have obtained the consent Of
large majority of the stockholders to n
change OF policy and finally they have, at
the present time, q committee working i'll
happy unison with corresponding COM
mlttre of citizens and with committees
from the Board Of Education and from
City Council towards the necessary lcgisla-
tion at Dover for the establishment of
public free library. And now, inasmuch
as this contamination has not yet unite
been reached. let me urge You all to do
promptly whatever may be in your power
TO bring this about. This is recommended
in the Interest Of enlarged popular educa,
ton, Under the circumstances ! am con-
strained tu advise strongly that the lnst-
tutc building be not sold MS was at one
time thought advisable. If the library and
reading room are made free very much
larger accommodations will be needed and
for which the present auditorium is well
adapted. The location of the Institute is
Thoroughly central aud il is also the only
practically available site which is passed
directly by all the street car lines with the
exception of the Front street line and even
that one is of course connected BY the eX-
change system. In reply to question
about selling the Institute Building u man
who is prominent in finance and public
west corner Of Eighth and Market streets
as one of the most valuable locations in
the city and he was apparently speaking
from business point OF view. And
would say that just ms accessibility and
prominence are needed in business loCa-
ton SO are they good for Il public library
WITHIN week past "A member of the origi-
nal building committee spoke to me of the
very thorough manner i'll which the ln-
stitute building had been put together and
he related the circumstance that for extra
security it had been determined to put into
the floor of the auditorium one girder
more than was called for by the original
plans of the architect.
In concluding my report ! recognize
the honor of the trust you gave me one
year ago. II is also peculiarly grateful to
me to allude to my pleasant relation with
the members OF the executive committee
and with the Librarian and assistants and
| 10 them l tender my sincere thanks for
their cooperation and assistance.
.,My last act is one Of my greatest as
well as one Of my pleasantest. | an.
nonnce to you the presldent-elcct, MIR.
| William +. Taylor"
After MIR. Taylor had acknowledged the
introduction he and the retiring president
| exchanged seats. Next SeCretary.e elect
| Frederic Robinson was introduced, after
| which he and the retiring secretary eX-
changed places.
On motion Of Daniel W. Taylor, Mcssrs
Hazard and Clcayer were given a vote OF
| thanks.
All the reports were adopted.
Expression of opinion respecting the
proposed free library was requested.
SELL THE INSTITUTE BUILDING.
DIV. Taylor said he did not agree quite
| with Mr., Hazard lie recommended that
the Institute Building be soldif it can be dis
| posed Of advantaEeously and that another
eligible site be obtained and there be
erected building thoroughly adapted t.
a modern library and reading room AND
independent Of everything else.
Mr. Hazard said there are before the
Legislature two or three bills for free
library.
Mr.. Taylor said committee would 70
70 Dover IN day or SO in behalf of n FIRE,
library, If the stockholders of the lnsti
tute library are not willing 10 make it ire,
some other library will he made free
About - per cent OF the stockholders hav,
responded. If they felt there Is going tt
be a free library they ought to feel tina
the Institute library Is the one. In rcply /,
a question asked by the Rev II AshtOl
Henry, he sad definite conclusion ha.
not been reached. They now have abou
$1,000 or 5000 income. II the iacOmt
from the hall was taken away they hopet
to make II up from an appropriation from
the Board Of Education, which would ulti
Inately come from City Council.
Mr.. Henry inquired whether the pro
posed library would be governed irres pee
tive Of politics.
Mr.. Taylor said it is intended tia
politics shall never get in ii.
Mr.. Hazard said it is expected that til,
Institute shall remainus Wilmington lnsti
tute. If thecltv contribute tiIls SIpport tn
cltyshuuld hayer representation in the boar,
ot directors. In order To gct this money am
to keep the library GIt Of the hands o
politicians certain members Of the cit
government, the mayor, the president O
Council, the chairman Of Councils iinanC
committee the president Of the Board 6
Education, the chairman of the teachers
committee Of the Board of Education am
the SUPERINTENDENT of schools. will b
made e&-Ollicio members OF the board o
directors.
Clothing sturc firr.
Fire broke out in tile boston Clothin