The San Francisco call., 1898-08-05
HUNTING FOR
 4 LIBRARIAN A Successor Wanted for Arthur JelliSOn. ONLY ONE NAME SUGGESTED DIRECTORS WANT AN IDEAL MAN FOR THE PLACE. IT. L. Ticknor Claims the Mechanics Library Is Deplorably
 Behind the
 Times.
DIRECTORS WANT AN IDEAL
 MAN FOR THE PLACE.

Ever since the death of Arthur NJ. Jel- lison, the librarian of the Mechanics h. Stitute, it has been a matter Of con)ec- ture as to who will be appointed to the responsible position as his successor Rumor has given birth to various theo- ries and has outlined a host Of appli- cants, but these are denied by those di- rectly concerned in the management of the institute.
 H. l.. Ticknor, chairman of the em- ployes committee, averred yesterday that no one had been mentioned for the posi- ton and that the board of directors had not decided as yet as to who was the most eligible man to succeed Jell1son He maintained that 1t was the univer- sal decision of the members of the board to get the best man obtainable to full fill the duties of the position
 When asked as to whether Graves, the acting librarian and Jellison's former as- sistant would be allowed to take charge of the institute as permanent librarian, he said that Graves was a good man and had done much in the interests of the library, but inferred and clearly indicated that he was of the impression that he was not the best man that the directors were vainly seeking for.
 "We want librarian" said MT. Tick nor, that is man of letters, capable of
  erature. A man holding such a position should be well educated and conversant with the different and various books of the library and capable of advising and instructing subscribers in the choice of books. He should lend, by his QIalifica- tons. a certain prestige to the institute which would undoubtedly encourage the public and increase the patronage of the library.
 "Who will be the librarian" he con- tinued, depends solely on the man best capable of conforming to the ideal libra rian as outlined by the directors
 We are behind the times and knowing this, we must do our best to keep abreast of them by selecting careful. capable and efficient officers to control and build the library to what 1t should be. We have been in a state of inertia for years and 1t Is now about time that we should en- deavor to take step forward We are like the merchants of this city-living back in the days of '49
 Tn the selection of an officer to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of MT. JelliSon we have determined to make this our initial effort in the furtherance of the work contemplated. There has been no one as yet found who has suited us, and we propose to walt until the right and the best man steps forward to assume the responsibility and the duties involved in the acceptance of the position.
 ''The rumor that an Eastern man of education and extensive experience has been decided upon for the vacancy Is un- true. There has been absolutely no one suggested and absolutely not the slightest indication that there will be in the near future"
 F. B. Graves, in speaking of his chances of becoming the permanent librarian of the institute, stated that, although he has no definite knowledge as to the prOb- able action of the board in his favor. still he thinks that his name should meet with considerable consideration, as he has been connected with the library for nearly fourteen years. He claims that all the directors are not favorably dis posed toward him In the matter of the appointment but the majority are, which fact, he hopes will be proven at the elec- ton which will be held in about sixty days. In all probability the names of sev- eral applicants will be presented to the board for consideration at the next regu- lar semi-monthly meeting.