Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-08-27

source whence the library derives its rev.
;epues. 1t must depend primarily upon
the city appropriations. Each year the
special budget IL made up by the trus-
tees, and is based upon the actual expen-
ditures Of the previous year. to which is
added reasonable allowance for fresh
expenses and improvements. The caicula-
ton 1s, OF necessity, close, for the mayor,
whose approval must be secured for each
separate item of the total city appropria-
ton: is obliged to pare down in many d.
rections in order to bring the sum total
within the limits afixed for the tax rate
OF 80 per $1,000 for municipal expenses
The appropriation jumped at once from
$4,000 In the old building to $4,000. made
necessary by increased cost Of maintaining
the new structure. 1t is to the credit of
the city that 1t has seldom been niggardly
IN its apportionment to the library. which
has proved in return. perhaps, the best
possible investment to the city. This ap-
preparation. then, is an item in the total
budget Of the city,, raised by taxation,
there being no special tax for library
In addition the library has the use of GER
tain invested funds, amounting in all last
year to Sol. 213.O9. the income of which
was $1O,32S1 10. These trust funds were
fed purposes as the purchase Of works
In mathematics. political economy, Spanish
and Portuguese literature, etc. In some
cases no close restrictions have beea
OF permanent value and serious char
acter are purchased with these funds.
1t will be seen. therefore, that the city
of Boston is willing to spend about $S5G,ooO
per annum upon its library. II we reckon.
as Is proper, the interest on the loan for
the new building. If some splendid giver
of the future should bestow a sum so
large that its income should amount to
$25O.OOO. and should condition this gift on
the citys assuring an annual appropria-
ton of equal amount, the library would
have a perpetual guarantee against the
uncertainty Of politics and might hope
to rival even the British Museum.
How the Library In Governed.
The governing power Is a board of five
trustees. each appointed by the mayor for
term of five years; each year the term
Of one trustee expires, and he may then be
reappointed or replaced by another. They
serve without pay and their Office is one
of the highest honorary positions within
the gift Of the city. These trustees are
representative of the best and ablest in the
citizenship of Boston. They were incorpo-
rated by act of the legislature, April 4, 1878,
and have among other powers the author
ity to take ard hold real and personal es-
tate to an amount not exceeding s1,OO0,OoO,
which may be given, granted. bequeathed
or devised"
Money is to be invested by the city treas
arer, under direction of the finance COM
mittee Of the city. Aside from these funds,
tpey nave q Responsible charge IN the name
of the city over the buildings, valued in the
neighborhood Of s2,5W.C0O. and over books,
manuscripts and works of art Of at least
an equal worth, making a total valuation
OF about $5O0O,OOO. Their annual meeting
is held, in May, when a president, vice
president. clerk. are chosen by ballot,
three trustees constituting a quorum. I'm
der them are the officers of the institution,
the chief of whom Is the librarian. who is
appointed by the trustees, and who has
general charge and management and con-
troll Of the library and its branches. as
well AS the custody Of the property owned
by the corpora ton.
To all grades of the service excepting
the positions of the officers above men
toned, appointments are made through
examinations either for entrance or promo
ton, by the trustees, upon nomination by
the librarian. Other considerations Of fit
ness enter into the selection of a candi-
date, who must, however, have first passed
an examination. The librarians salary is
5000, the next highest is 5000, and from
this point the salaries are carefully graded
down to $3.50 a week, which is the lowest
point.