The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-11-18
A PUBLIC. APPEAL.
To Save the Mercantile
Library.
The President Asks for immediate
HeIp-Some Liberal Subscrip-
tions.

Those connected with the Mercantile
Library are still making effortt to tide the
association over the next two years, when.
IL is believed that the property at the cor
ner OF Golden Gate avenue ana Van Ness
avenue will have increased sufficien t1y to
place the Mercantile Library Association
once again on financial basis. The fol-
lowing appeal to the public has just been
issued by Edmund TausZky, the presidents:
The real property OF the Mercantile Library
Association is mortgaged to secure a debt of
$4,000. We have not earned the interest on
this debt with necessary: current expenses, but
have met IL by increasing the principal TO its
present amount, which Is. the limit of the loan.
In this way the interest to January next Is
provided for, but We will be unable to meet IL
after hat. unltss our generous and -well-dis-
posed citizens come to our rescue. If they do
not, The result is inevitable. II they do, the
association will prosper. Is IL desirable to
save II, and is the. community at large inter:
ested in saving il? II We answer these queS-
tions satisfactorily in the affirmative we have
right to expect your aid. -: 80.
= Ills true that this association Is suDScrlD-
tion library, but it, is as much public one as
the Free Library. 1t is open TO all respectable
persons wi. hout any initiation fee. The differ
ence, between the Free Library and ours lies
simpyin the fact thai the entire. property OF
the city Is Xed 10 support the former, while
our M mbers tax themselves directly to main
tain the latter. =
Our library is, to those who are able to pay
the dues OF so cents per month. what The Free
Library Is TO those who are not. II the city is
warranted IN maintaining the Free Library by
compulsory taxation (ahd every one is agreed
that public Libraries are benefit TO the COM:
munity IN WHICH thy are located) then this
subscription library should also be sust aimed,
because, while the Free Library serves use:
fu purpose III: cannot, In the nature of things.
satisfy the nrrds OF all. -: E:
The Mercantile is a necessity. II differs
from the Mechanics Institute in that IT con.
fines itself exclusively TO the sphere of library
only. 1t differs from the ODD Elbows. and
others liz that these are only available to Inc
members OF the organizations which own them.
The Mercantile belongs to the people,. IL is
managed by the directors as trust without
compensation. The members have no interest
In the ownership OF ITS property; they have
only the privilege OF using il. -:
Ii is well recognized that public libraries:
whether maInI aimed by city OF. by subscnp-
lions, are essential TO the wellbeing of a COM
muDity, as the instruction aud healthy enter
tai,iment OF its people improves their character
and adds TO their happiness. The Mercantile
does both at nominal cost Can the COM
munity spare II !?
II we were 10 close its doors, would the people
not suffer loss? Should we permit the noble
work OF It's founders and friends, who created
and fostered this Institution, 10 come
to naught? "A history of San Francisco
without The story OF the Mercantile would be:
Incomplete. Its existence dates back to 1853.
Shall ft become mere tradition? What con-
tradictlon and what common airy l. would be
that, with the advancement OF our city in intel
llgence, civilization, wealth and population; the
Mercantile should become thing OF the past
The struggles and anxietieS connected with Its
history merit better fate. !
TIL reputation OF our citizens for iiberaiity,
for enlightenment and for public spirit is directly
involved In the question OF Its continued exist
tnce.. - =.
As was said by member of a former board
OF trustees. "H the sentiment for the perpetua-
tl0n OF the name and Identity OF the Oldest sub
scripton library OF California has serious hold
on The public mind. II will show some substan-.
tt2l manifestation when the needs OF The inst.
tuition are maze known. The sentiment which
makes no demonstration save In words count
little. Now Is the time for something more
than empty talk"
We have most valuable collection of books
nearly 70 600 volumes, some of them exceed
turr generations. We have room unshr-
passed In this country In its adaptability for
library purposes. Our building may pow be
somewhat of the line of frequent travel but in
the course OF few years the selection of Its
| location Will be justified. Our property. IS
| bound TO- incre Sc in value, The elegant rooms
on the upper floors now vacant VIII In the near
| future, be tenant ed, and our membership has
| been steadily increasing. and will continue to
| increase. But none OF these things can happen
| or viii benefit us unless "some substantial
manifestations is now made.
We confidently believe that when, in the not
| very distant future, those who now come 10
| our aid look pack upon their generous acts,
| they will find the CONCENTRATION OF them
source of satisfaction and pride in the proven
Knowledge that they have done their shareln
unfolding both the reputation aud Standing
intellectually, OF our community.
We have already rec fYed subscriptions OF
$1,000 each from Messrs.S. c. BrgelOw; A. b;
McCreery and j. L.. Flood, and many other
subscriptions OF lesser amounts. 1t is for the
public to decide by their acts whether the
movement to perretuate the Mercantile shall
be crowned with success.
EDMUND TAUszKY, President.