The morning call., 1894-07-18

is inyariable ana is followed TO encourage
promptness in sending In new books. In this
way books 90 into circulation the day they
reach the book sellers hands.
This purchase Of such books by the librarian
has had the sanction of III the different book
committees during my connection with the IL
brary and last year by special report pre-
scented to he board.
One other matter requires explanation. This
may be charac teriZed as The waste basket in
cdent. But as / have no knowledge of the
document referred 10 until see 1t cannot tell
if II has ever been In my hands. But / know
this, that il addressed TO the board of trustees
IL was never opened at my desk and probably /
have never seen II.
promptly sent To the secretary's office 10 the
board room.
ANY communication coming to me and re-
quirng the attention OF the book committee
would lie open on my desk with other unfin-
iShed business until the committees attention
TO II could be secured.
My desk also stands open during all the hours
the library is open, day and evening. whether
am present or not 1t is not private desk but
for library purposes, and in my absence Is
sometimes used by the assistants and also by
such OF the trustees as desire to use 1t.
The charge that destroyed or detained any
letter or document that should have gone to
the board Is untrue and l make positive denial
of any such charge. AS to aSpeTsIonS OF more
grave character that have gained some cur
ieDcy, / pronounce them baseless and without
foundation In fact.
In REPUTATION of Misrepresentation engendered
by these lmputalons beg to present the re-
ports made quarterly for he past sixteen years
by the finance committee. In all that time they
have not once failed TO examine quarterly the
books of accounts kept in the library, checking
all receipts and expenditures and verifying the
balance in my hands. Further, L refer you 10
the expert accountants reports. formerly
made annually, now quarterly, on nle 10 the
secretary's office. which certify TO the correct
ness OF the books and reports.
There is yet another accusation, that OF e1-
travagance and loss TO the institute through
my business methods.
AS have already shown that all library eX-
peDditure is made under the supervision OF
committees of the board further reference 10
THIS might be omitted. But claim the con-
verse OF the proposition Is the true state OF me
case. and must be permitted TO cite an In
stance or TWO where regular monthly receipts
OF material Importance are directly owing 10
| my efforts. mean the receipts from hnes and
from extra books" amounting 10 Sl25 per
month. or $500 year. When l was placed
10 charge OF the library nothing was received
from either OF these sources and 1t was only on
my earnest and continued insistence that |
was permitted 10 put In practice these methods.
Many other features of library administration,
the classification, shelf-arrangement, shelf
guides, circulation register, reserva ion of
DOCKS. ETC., directly my work, are in evidence
TO all who are familiar with the business OF the
| library.
And now. gentlemen, If aave not made suf
hcIent REPUTATION Of whatever has been ass, ted
you Will proceed 10 such Investiga ion as shall
be satisfactory TO yourselves and then take
such action as honor and justice require.
SAN FRANCISCO, July IL, 1894.
The recent action of the board Of trustees o
The Mechanics Institute retiring Mr.. Horace
Wilson from the Guardianship OF the institute
and the manner IN which this was done having
been such as 10 retectnjuTiuusly upon Mr.. VII
sons character and reputation, 1T is due him thai
the undersigned state TO the members of The
institute and the public that his conduct Of the
library affairs during his tenure OF Office was
Intelligent, careful, economical and efficient
and that there was no loss Of money through
him TO the institute in any amount whatever
during our administration as presidents OF the
same.
T. b. CORNWALL, president lSS0-S9.
DAVID KERR, president 1892.
IRWIN T.. STUMP, president 1925 90.
a. 5. HALLIDIE, president 1S93-94.
This document is signed by Horace
Wilson.