The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-12-11
Lawyer Phillips Threatens to
Bring Them Before the
Grand Jury.
HE WILL PUSH HIS CHARGES.
Joseph Leggett Has Something to Say
About the Lick Dona.
ton.


that institution, announces that, notwith-
standing the failure to adopt the measure,
be proposes to push the matter, and if the
trustees do not order an investigation
he will bring it before the courts and the
Grand Jury.
He also announces tina it is the purpose
to secure five new trustees to replace an
equal number now in the board, but that
Andrew Hallidie and Grove P. Ayers are
not of the FIVE.
discouraged by the vote taken on the
motion to adopt the resolution last Satur-
day night?' repeated Mr.. Phillips yester-
day, mo, sir; not at all. On the con-
trary, we intend to push this matter and
inquire into every charge that was con-
and if we cannot get the trustees to order
an investigation we will carry the matter
into the courts and then before the Grand
Jury. The institute is run by the solid
tive-no, I should say the solid four, as
there is one that is on the fence, and we
propose to elect five trustees who will con-
duct the affairs in the interest OF the mem
bers.
"By we," said Mr.. Phillips in reply to
question, 81 refer to two other very promi-
nent mem bers of the institute who are
with me in this movement, but whose
names I do not care to divulge at this
time for prudential reasons. 1t was at
their instance that presented the resolu-
ton with the understanding that not
word should be said in favor of it. 1t was
Just as a feeler to see who would favor it and
who would oppose it. have the names
of all who opposed it. Is it not a little
strange that body OF men, trustees of an
institution like this one, should oppose
proposition to hold an investigation when
such charges are made?
"We propose to have all the charges
looked into; we want to find out what has
become of the 1000 or more books that
have disappeared in five years. l only
charged $500, in order to be safe within
the limit. We want to know why $105, 600
was paid in 1879 for the Folsom street
property, which was not worth $50, 900 at
that time and is not worth that now. We
want to know why $i4 ,464 was paid for
alterations in the Post-street building when
there are half dozen competent men will
ing to make affidavit that the same could be
made for $1,000, and we want to learn
about the distribution of patronage, and
on that point we will present one If not a
number of affidavits.
"As far as | am concerned have no fear
in this matter, as | am life member of
the institute. Leggett and Cummins are
running the affair on the single-tax prin-
ciple, and by the preferential system they
have introduced and the Congressman
Mcguire ideas they want to perpetuate
themselves in Office.
MANY of the books, believe were lost
through neglect of the librarians assist
ants. We propose, also, to secure the Ii
brarian so that he cannot be removed ex-
cept by a vote of the members. Now he is
under the direction of the trustees, and
they force him to do just what they
want"
During the meeting on Saturday there
was an intimation that there were good
reasons why some of the trustees had re-
signed. OF these Marsden Manson re-
signed because he had received Govern
ment appointment and could not devote
his time to the institute. The others who
resigned were II. T. Bush, Will E. Fisher
and Barclay.
Mr. Fisher said that he resigned because
be was in the minority in the board.
THAT is" said Mr.. Fisher, 1.-The minds of
the majority were not in touch with mine
and / came to the conclusion that it would
be useless for me to waste my time at
meetings. | do not want any one to think
| am q crank because others do not agree
with me, nor do l wish to be unde rstood
as attacking the honesty and integrity Of
the members of the board. / am still
member of the institute and intend to re-
main one until die"
whole matter was tempest in a teapot,
produced by Phillips, who wanted to keep
before the people This man." he said,
wanted to be trustee once and he made
all sorts of promises and had slips of pa
per printed telling what he would do and
how he would nave an elevator built for
the benefit of the ladies, and know not
what, but he was not elected.
''In regard to the money contributed by
James Lick for the purchase of mechanical
and scientific books, that was a matter
that this board had nothing to do with
but l will say that while the books have
been purchased a mistake was made in not
placing some mark on them to show that
they were purchased with the donation.
That much at least was due to the donor.
OF course, portion of this money was
used to pay off an Indebtedness; but by
using the money that way q great deal of
interest was saved. Still the money should
have been borrowed, as the university bor-
rows from it's separate funds. l do not be-
lieve that there was anything wrong in the
whole transaction.
"Now, about the resignation of the trus-
tees. Those gentlemen will no doubt give
their reasons when asked. Mr.. Barclay,
one of them, who had been placed on the
committee on music and decoration, sug-
gested plan Of decoration that had been
adopted at Santa Cruz-that of placing
punches OF colorea paper in meshes OF
wire-and his suggestion was adopted.
The work was started, but 1T appeared that
if continued the Pavilion would be the
laughing stock of the City. and it was
stopped. The gentleman found consider
able responsibility resting on his shout
ders so he resigned.
1.-The charge OF books having been stolen
from the shelves, if true, is one that should
not have been made, because it is suggest
ing to evil-minded people that there is a
place where they can steal books.
1.-THE fact that only three or four men,
bers voted for the resolution is proof that
they did not attach much importance to it,
There is nothing that this board has any
fear of. and most of the matters in the
resolution refer to previous boards
P. J. Healy, who was present at the
meeting and will be candidate for trustee
at the next election. said that Phillips is
an agitator who always wants to cone to
the front. He defended the preferential
system, declaring THAI it prevents the for
nation Of parties or cliques, and that any