New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-29
THE CRY NAIL LIBEiRf jILOELhoo
A LOT or MISTY OLD RECORDS IN 1T AND FfAO-
TICAILY NOTHING EISN-HoN II
cOrrp BE MADE TSEFtf.


tt.r-, Randall Waite president Of tho American
r-s,,,u,e q, C!vlcs has recently investigated the
condition Of the city Hall Library and pronounced
II, in 4 de2orable state. He SAID Yesterday
have known for long time q the condition o.
the Cty Hal Library and the neeI OF tal'ca'
change 20 make il yaluab,e ana crei'taO'r 10 '"'
,i,y Nv attention was recently calei 70 the con
il,ion OF the library By newspaper comments ana
"a A result Of conversations held with Co.ohe'
Charles IL penleon and other philosophical clti-
zen, T. seemed that the time for making an ell
for, 20 change the condition OF affairs was opp"'-
tune aal lel me 20 make c're'u ihNeS'k"'''" "a
the condition of the library
The library H. on the mrs; noor in the PARK Ro"
wing OF the city Hail. and few people know II eN-
i.,s ANY one visiting II will nnl !; chiefly used a3
,ounrluR place FOR smokers. who insist on eIeVa'-
ing their legs on the tables. The library has TWEEN
Is -FOUR cases. arranged FOR about 12.'D Volumes
rheir contents are IN condition OF great disorder
Probably ,wo-th.ris OF the books are composed OF
hound volumes Of The Congressional Globe United
s,,... I.,lrtn.nt reports AMI material ~ SIM
r,r ,,,,,-. which c1ul Well Doe sent 20 the JUNK
shop Ih, remaining contents 'nc4Hlr some no.
rItf 700. rte records OF thr Ne" YORK ftoN'n'i'
....-.... ami Il the Nev-York senate from 1921
- 800 AMI Other state papers of carly date anu Oh
r.fr.spluI,ue value. There are also bound iies oi
,.e %4N- York city newspapers during and prer''l-
I'M. th. ,'tI War AMI tho records ot IA" proceed
!u.,. ~ th, Board g AherT sen from an early Pc
rol IN IFS rf, sent condition. the library is COM
,,r,tyaiy r....ss an! rs books Ia little demand.
fhnk that .s tie condition % ne library %
NOT changed 10 would D.. tc-; to pa, The really
i..-si. h.lE- esesh"re and place ihe c.ty records
nf. Fey th. charge 81 the Superintendent az IN"
CIV Record or some other clay official. thus abol-
la.ne ih. library. The city would be 'lv.d tn
cost ot is maintenance. and the valuable space It
o.cuu.,s could be IIt - other uses.
81 90 uot mink the library should b. abolished.
however a. hy a small cost think II could hc
mad. most valuable \rytr in the history Of our
cess 70 Information bearing Upon government. ana
especially munir pal affairs NAY" evidence ~ TINS
fact In ihe iargc number ~ Inquiries sent dhly 10
the Ingt!tdic OF CyIcs from all paris oi me c1dh-
a. 20 whore they may obtain d1ta relating y war;.
ous city problems There IL also q large class OF
who wish to become thoroughly inforsed on pup
Mr. Wa!.e thinks the library should Doe recon-
strlrtrl and placed under the control 81 a limited
number OF city officials such the Mayor. the
President o, the Board ~ Education and the Presi-
,leat % the Board ~ Aldermen ,....
OF the Nru-York Genealogical and Biographical 50
cietv appointed u investigate the condition 81 the
library in the City Hal. The rrP';t sAys IN par:
I'm a general way IL can be- said thar the library
has been allowed 10 lapse INTO "A positively snah'iul
condition Many OF the most yh!u"b'e DOCKS havr
fhrir covers torn or dcfac'd. Little car" can nave
there arr numerous works Of importance when are
incompc,c or in a damaged condition" ~
ma. hv The present librarian that the books be
rciound ana that rules be made; that other cities
no invited 10 contribute books that an appropria-
ton be made do this. ana that an assistant IL
brari,n be secured The committee protests against
the library being abolished. as the judges OF the
city Court have asked. and that the room be turned
send smith. chairman James Grant wilson and
Newland Maynard.