New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-26
can hardly be regarded otherwise than . privilege
for the city to share in the work
ADDRESS OF BISHOP POTTER.


After the memorial read Bishop Potter
said In speaking OF the character Of the libraries,
that the committee did not come empty handed;
1t had riches tc offer the city In return for a
shelter. 1T is our purpose" he said. ITO create
great popular library--a reservoir Of intellecu-
atty upon which the people could draw for men,
tai sustenance. and vigor. 1t is unique propo-
sition. and the question is. How far will the city
go toward securing such boon? 1t is humili-
ating to think that the metropolis OF America
has in this combination OF great libraries but
one-ninth the number Of books that the French
institution has Boston has set aside s2,5OO,OO0
for Its library, while Chicago has appropriated
$l,JOO,O00 for a similar cause"
Mayor Strong replied that he would be glad TO
see the trustees secure the reservoir site, and
that he favored such propositon but he said
the libraries held the unfortunate reputation OF
being rich-of owning from se.Ooo0o0 to $780,
900 000 To ask the city for 50, 500. 000 when so
much remains to be done In the way Of actually
necessary improvements he thought would meet
strong opposition. the more so, indeed. as the
city now has on It's hands improvements and ne
cessities Eating sl9.O00.OOO." He said the
question Of such an appropriation as the trustees
suggested. would be out of the question this year
other members of the Administration and got
the bill through the Legislature. fact which he
doubted, he would not stand in their way.
The Mayor among the necessary improve
ments cited the bad condition Of the cty's
buildings. He added that one of the most mo-
mentous questions to-day Is that regarding the
safety Of that part Of the city south OF Canal
st Large water-mans must be laid at once so
as to preclude the possibility Of Chicago fire
In this city. IF respectable fire broke out in
these parts" he went on there would be many
Of our richest merchants pauperzed because.
venture to say. that the insurance companies
would not be able to pay five cents on the dollar
on the tremendous loss that would be sustained.
That such fire does not occur Ia due to kind
Providence"
ADVICE OF THE MAYOR.
However Mr.. Strong declared he was in favor
Of granting all that the trustees asked. He
counselled them to secure the reservoir first, and
the building later; for II they asked for both at
once he feared that they would surely be de-
feated
Replying, Mr.. Ledyard and Mr.. Rivee said that
II was true the libraries rich but the major
portion Of the riches consisted Of their books.
For them to build would be out Of the question
and would not place their treasures within reach
Of the public. In that case. they might be &C
cused Of bad faith after having secured the
site
Mr. Ledyard suggested that there might be
chance to get a bin through the present Legis-
lature II the Mayor would say that he favored
IT, At least he thought the trustees would get
the proposed site
Mayor Strong told the trustees ito go ahead"
but added cautiously: IF there Is no serious 0p-
position l will be with the trustees. both as 10
site and the money. but strongest on the site
question"