New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-24
LIBRARY UNION OPPOSED.
THE LENox AND CONSOLIDATION.
crxrp., HAWKINS BELIEVES THE TRUSTEES
ARE IL HONOR BOUND TO CARRY OFT ONLY
THE EXPRESSED WISHES OF TIE


THE EXpREs.ED WISHES OF TIE
LIRRARY's FOUNDER
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir Since the printing OF my late communica-
tion in Tho Tribune | have learned something
which may to an extent. explain the acton OF the
Ienos Library trustees in joining the Tilden con-
solidation scheme. gentleman VINO knows
whereof he saeaks says an announcement, or an IN
tir,atior has been made TO the e.fcc. that no more
money for the use of the library car b. expected
from the relations of It's late founder. II this in
formation IS correct II is the first apparent excuse
for the contemplated action Of the trustees
Ecfora we can accept this excuse as a warrant
for such action. let us examine the implied as
sumption on their part OF not being able to 20
on for wan; OF more income. The treasurers re-
mort of January s. 1895. SHOWS permanent fund
81 ei25 ono with an income from It OF about $2e"
Tbcrc are eight lots fronting on Nadison-ave, IN
the rear of the library which could be easily iet
for at least sos O0 year which added 10 the pre-
emit would make total amount or say Sl'vV
yearly income This amount is quite as mnch as
s needed and possibly more than could he as
creetiN expended in carrying out the oFlE'hii III
tcnt.on OF Mr. Lenox. The running expenses Tor
1sq2 wore sl610o: granting this to be the usual an
nual expcnditure there would be- balance left OF
about SSl 600 for the purchase OF books
II the above is a correct statement of facts as
TO amounts want of sufficient income cannot DC
,lc, / cd rs al
Tho whole block believe. upon a portion oi
which the prcsent library building stands, was
Iof, nv Mir Ionox to the library corporation with
provision for leasing the Madson-aN". 'ots' II '"'S
IS true it proves an intention to proNdc h''eH-
sarv income for perpetual maintenance ana II Is
equally clear he did not intend to give ms o'o'h
~ valuable land TO any institution bui me l"noX
Library. as he established and endowed 1t before
his death and diversion by board or trustees
IN another direction would be violation OF MS
EXPRESSED intention.
The necessity for enormous collections Of books
Ike that of the National Library OF Paris with
,ts "trene trois Kilometres de rayons sur lesquHs
rcpoyont 10000 volumes and the British NIL
scum. IS being questioned. could name three
eminent authorities late chiefs Of three notable
European libraries who believed that "A c"mrre-
hon.ivc and effective reference collection c"uI' De
formed on; of 5coOo titles. i goes without say
ing they would have to be selected hN men "i '"-
cation and great experience in forming hbrari"''
and Al best the accumulation would b" OF $40"
Growth. Libraries ripcn with years ana cannot nc
ordered 20 be finished by a certain day INK" "a par
o. boots II is Just possibl" that We ar" nov par
tcularly in need OF great library hut th't ''''e
%, moderate dimensions. conveniently located IN
different parts Of tho city. would answer hhrly
nurro.es much better than one. however large.
Tho circulation attachment II reference IL
hr,rv is a Boston idea injected into ts Public IL
brarv and a ought 80 remain the exclusive prop
or,y ~ tho city OF ite birth. In European coun-
tries and / write VITA knowledge. reference ana
circulating libraries are kept apart 'ne ]" az
tIrctly for the use % scholars AMI students engage"
In earnest work % Importance while the other *
lists chiefly for the Amusement oi careless readers
uho usually have no object In view saf" ~" passing
q, nm hon quart d'hcur.. 50 lot Us pray. " the
die is cas-. and we must submit to this worse
than useless consolidation. that ~ may com" %
us without the popular circulating attachment
From newspaper uttcranccs am led 10 believe
TIM, these two all important points are Woh ~ vI""
We MUS, have a large library o. the m1gn!tud" 90
the British Museum and The National Library ~
paris ard tho present Indications point 20 IN" go
lection % the LcuoN Library block as ihc l'cnt"n
To carly out intentions a. 20 size. from Two I'D
three times AS much land VIII he needed rs there
70 IN tina, block To Paris Library occupies tn.f
,,,,ce and a hal, as much area as e. contains. ari
hosidcs there IS certainly moral u roi l"ra'
question involved There 80 no dou"t ABOUT VI"
IA, that M LonoN i"ft that Who'll" h'o'h WIN
bindings and collections 10 u" L"hoN I"b'"tf
corporai ion. Having done go. "h"'' u any '-"'
.te,e the trustees 20 convey ID 20 another coy
-,.to, and by such an act divert trust property
80 uees not intended by i's donor The pubic -
,,orcs,ol In this question. and tho trustees 'nrAi
70 cxUaIn 20 the citizens ~ New-N DIX "her" th"'
GET ,hc.r power for the trans'er and ann'hi"'oh
Of th. trust.
since my prov.ous communication. hav" received
,..,,s ~, Tho proposed consolidation. Tho hrsi !
nov. quote from was written by one O, the oldest.
mos, cxrercnccd aud better known among our
American librarians.
Thanks for TIE Tribune containing your cap.h5
article on ne Astor and LenoX Libraries "Rch
%vo read and nwnrdly digcs'"i. aud iaii aside Tor
tu.ure reference. i.n 'Ati''' ,in,r NM ..'.i'..
I know something about mos" l.bnil't. e.,
80" Aston which / often visited ia ih' Gay 90, 81
,'ogswelI. aud have spent pi'as'hi ho"iS ~"
N[re ana Al,lbouc BON. alas. no more. 'uI 90
i'h'.d n, me precious Treasures OF the IenoN. -
nv mind n would be mis- oriunr. li',, 10 80. ~
'.r0a rec public IRISH. Italian and all ne world
beside. Comparatively IT," car" ~ - ~, ~. a.,
mres but TO those who DO caTc ana 10y. ','"' an
consodaton ought almos' TO c1"Sr 49,,
10 conc on, Of thcir sray.s ana ','n"i is TO- e.
b,J thought o. writing few WORDS nN.'' On H..
subject but You have made "h| ""'S '' "''"'
Tho following is from New-Yorker Of in
nucnce: $3.50
+, is remarkable 'ha, yours IS ne ( ris p1s oI r,9
,i,n that now seems so popular It is only mr.
t"~n years since the death OF MT I-"n3N' Aid ",
,hcrc' seems 10 be- no one left among me uu''''S
,ho,n ne selected to carry out his plans who ap-
prars 10 appreciate the impoTtah'" % 'n' u's'
INV hecn further from Nj Lcno>s design tAhn IL
have his artistic treasury maIr PAR am pnii ~
IN, ,rything Chcnco can furnish. mink u q
public protest could be ~, nP ND over. NAN 81
honor in this city. would hasten to afN hif sigma
turc.
In another letter occurs ihis s'"'''''' "'' ''''"
,r,, IL. done? ! viii Join in measure. no mat
49,, no,. cxpcnsiye to prevent this outrage"
I-rop, another: your view is undoubtedly the cor
rect one The trustees have not u" risht to 90
what they intend
From the letters received many NOR" 'Alr'''5
n like purport could be- made. Eui why should
I continue them? Nothing ihat any huhh'r "'
,,,,.,,. co,,ld write say or do would produce IN.
,o.s, effect upon "A SGT OF officials bent upon pur-
.,,,,, o., certain course no matter how wrong. Tn
fortunately sith IN America boards 81 directors
and trustees are not IN The habit OF consulting Ia"
do.oinant obligations involved; II Is their unPu"s-
TONED and usually undisputed habit I" use their
power arbitrarily, not regarding IN" rShiS OF me r'"
n,res I'm interest and this unfortunate consolida-
,t, t,,siness IS only an additional illustration
proying the practice of this pernicious habit
Ia cndiny my last word In relation To this most