The morning times., 1896-12-06
OPPOSED TO THE LIBRARY.
Supt. Green Says the Inaugural Ball
Would Iniure 1t.

Upon the proposition TO utilize the new
Library building to hold the inaugural
ball OH the 18th of March next, superin-
tendent Bernard K. Green said last night.
Il do not understand that there is any,
thing more seilous than an idle ruInor TO
the effect that the committee propose ask
Ing for the privilege of using the new
Library building for the inaugural festiri.
ties. l have 10 other information on the
subject than that gathered from the papers,
and am not at all certain that it will get
beyond the 'rtimor' stage
The cAlS, ence of a IIund new building
of this ort in the city, the most magnificent
public building, both i'll outside propo rtions
and interior finish in the National Capt. al
would seem naturally TO suggest its use
for the purl ose mentioned. The grand
prol ortlon of its rooms and the beauty
OF The Gee o:at:ons would lend function
OF this sort peculiar interest and i'm
portance.
LAS to the appropriateness of holding
The inaugural ban there, must leave the
public to Judge for themselves The beauty
and dellcacy OF The deCorat tions, the m ural
paintings, the carving in marble and onyx,
enhance the chances for accidental dam
age, while The ft olish curiosity that insists
on roking and picking 10 see what things
are made of, would undoubtedly be in evil
dence in such a gathering. Then again the
always shows itself in an indscriminate
gathering in any public building would
probably take the usual form OF writing
namesand chipping the carvings.
TOO many people, as you know. try to
see with the fingers they will finger
the paintings 10 see whether the colors
will come off; they want to know whether
the walls are Of marble or plaster and
they dig at them to find out 1t is all Of
these chances combined that must he
taken into considerations curl
osity and vandalism.
'.Of course it Is possible to prevent
wanton destruction of deco rations A
proper system of espionage would do this,
together with the proper selection of
guests to be present. We must take it
for granted that the committee in charge
of this part of the ceremonies would use
every care in preventing the presence of
such persons as would not regard the con
ventionalities of such an occasion. 1t
is mere question of selection and watch
fulness. In so large u space of course a
few hundred people could do little or no
damage, unless wantonly; it is different
matter with the crush that usually at
tends such festivities.
The property belongs to the govern
mcnt and can be used for such purposes
If they permit it. 1t depends upon no W
strictly the regulations in regard to care
full watchfulness and espionage are carried
out, as to the practicability of holding
the ball there. do not care to estimate
how many watchmen or caretakers would
be necessary. The public can judge that
matter as well as I can.
II have no hesitation in saying that with
the regulations and discipline the same as
is usual with inaugural balls in WASH
ington, and the persons in attendance
selected In the usual way, as understa nd
1t, am opposed to the use of the build
ing for tins purpose. Even with the
greatest care, the principal damage would
arise from accident or carelessness on the
part of guests. Without this care, the
destruction would be too great to be
put up with