The morning call., 1894-01-17
AFTER THE FIGHT.
The Mercantile Library
Petitioned
BY PROMINENT CITIZENS.
They Want Quarters Located at
Post and Powell.
AN IDEA GENERALLY FAVORED.
S. c. BigeIow Suggests a Subscrip-
tion to Wipe Out the Debt.
Offers $1,000 to Start 1t.
AN IDEA GENERALLY FAVORED

The fight is over now. and the officers
elect Of the Mercantile Library Association
are preparing 10 do something.
MosE pleasant feelings are manifested
between those On the successful ticket and
those on the defeated ticke'. Indeed, Mr.
Payot, after the result was known. invited
the opposition candidate and president
elect. Nj Tauszky, up TO the Whist Club.
where the members greeted him with ac-
clamaIons amounting 10 an ovation.
The best part Of tie whole fight is the
good results. There has never been so
much interest among the members as
there is to-day. Many members voted az
the election that had not been 10 the library
before for years. Now is the time TO do
something that will bring the library out
of It's present difficulties.
Horace I. Cutter and a number Of the
leading life members Of the association
and prominent citizens Of this city have
signed the following petition, which was
handed by MT. Cutter yesterday TO PTesI-
dent-elect Tauszky:
TO the hoard OF Trustees of the Mercantile
Library AssoctattoH: Tie undersigned, life
and honorary members OF your association, re-
spectiuliy TepTesen, that, considering tie pres
eut condition oi Is affairs, they are OF opinion
that only radical change can resuseiraIe aud
Keep alive ihe association; and that in order 10
accomplish tbs and 10 promote and Increase
Its efficiency We pray your consideration OF
any reasonable offer which may be made for
Change 10 the location OF the library 10 the sec
ond story lhrst above the street. OF the building
IN process Of erection on the northeast corner
OF Powell nd Post streets iB this city
S5u Francisco December l, 1888.
Horace +. Cutter Charles Webb Howard "
3. Brown. q. Niebaum, Henry T. Bowie.
James }. Robbins, John o. Eatl, J. Perry Jr.,
Isaac WoHnseT. g. Pdlache A. HAYWARD :. C.
Blgelow Samuel Hubbard. Horace Davis Ira
+. Rankin, =. J. Ralsion, ). G. Meusdor1er
John Birmingham, Maurice Dore. Joseph q
Eastland. ". II. l. Barnes. /. II. Bonest-Il A
Z. Forbes, II. L. Dodge, John C. Merrill, W. f.
Whittier, Henry Payut OlYer EidriGge, LLOYD
IeYis, HOfalio +. LigermOTe Albert Miller
George l. Mafye Jr, Jabez Howes.
The proposition Is to take quarters in
the fouT-stOTy block now being erected by
Mrs. A. NJ. Parrot on the site OF the old
Trinity Church, at tie northeast corner If
Powell and Post streets. The first story
OF this building is now in course Of con-
atructoD, and very early decision will
be necessary ID order to make the necPs-
5ary alterations IN the plans. The build
ing has a frontage Of 162 6 feet, facing
south and opening on Union square and
l37 :6 feet Oh Powell street. II is very
convenient to ferry-cars and all the prin-
clpai railroads and shops
AlnLnz tiI pADu4D DeDl5 u LUI5 SeHfTQe
s. c. BigelOw, tTeasureT-elect. He sad
yesterday that II was the intention of this
petition TO secure only the temporary re.
moVai of the library downtown. 1t would
result in the membership being doubled or
trebled. We can rent our present build
ing. III would be foolish" said be, "to
sell, as We could get nothing like its value
at the present time. As for the debt, am
In favor Of wipIng IL out by subscTIptl0ns
/ have expressed nv willingness 10 start
1t with $1,000. and there ought 10 he sew
enty more who would be willing 10 do as
much"
Presidept-elect Tauszkv was found in
happy mood Yesterday. he said that he
considered the petition very important
matter. as the signeTs were among The
most prominent men Of the city.
"Io-morr0w night" said Mr.. Tauszkv.
''the new officers will be installed aad the
petition will come up at that time.
and. | believe. be referred to a committee
which should report by The first Of next
month whether the scheme is advisable
and feasible.
There is no doubt that our location Is
somewhat inacce ssible now, but in time
this will be removed and our Van Ness
avenue property Will be very valuable. So
| an opposed 70 q sale Of IT,
The practical question at fssua in the
matter is whether we can secure enough
members by moving down TO meet our rent
and the interest on our debt. Ii we couId
also rent The lower part Of our building for
fair value without making too extensive
alterations L should say temporary re-
moval would De good thing
u believe. however, also that our pres
ent members should be consulted and that
when the board have made their decihion
1t should be submitted to a vote OF the
members.
"The site proposed. think, is very
hne one. The building has been leased by
a. ArOnSoD. One-half of the second fool
has been practically leased to the
Deutschen Ferein-the other half will De
offices. The library can have the third
floor for $500 rental. There will be light
on two sides. Il is to be completed. I
understand, by the middle OF the year"
Henry Payot, leader of the defeated
ticket, said yesterday: 81 am glad 10
many ways that the opposition won, as
The responsibility now rests on those who
caused the present difficulties. If they can
ma way out VIII heartily give them my
support 1t was fight of common-sense
against sentiment and sentiment won
Consolidation and the sale Of the property
are cOld-blooded propositions, and | be-
lieFe they will have to be considered vet.
am decidedly in favor of tie library
occupying that building on Post and
Powell streets. 1t is a magnificent place
and hundreds OF subscribers will come in at
once. 1t should be on the top floor, how
ever. where We can have skylights. But |
tell you they can't double their burdens
By trying 10 retain the present building.
That cannot be rented either for mora
than nominal amount. A bond issue
Will not relieve the debi, but donations
Will. The iron IS hot and now is the time
fo cs ril