New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-10
THE LIBRA R1.

The report made TO the trustees or the New
York Public Library by their Executive 'oin-
mittee of which we reproduced the most s'rlA
ing features yesterday, Is full or interest a""
encouragement. 1t is probable that many per
sons have supposed that the library was making
little nrocrcss in the fulflment of a great de-
sign during the tedious period of inacton on
the mart of the municipality, but 1t now appears
that there has been steady and remarhaDle
growth since the three foundations were con-
solidoted Indeed the trustees have good rea-
con n believe that the library has been ana IS
growing far more rapidly than any other SINH
lar institution in the world Moreover, the de-
law over the new building for which the way
has now been cleared has not been detrimental
the time having been usefully employed IN
studv and development of the plans.
perhons even more significant for the future
NJ tho library than the fact of It's large ana
constant material acquisitions Is the evidence
IN the one hand that the union OF the 'hree
foundations has become organic and compete
and on tho other that the interest and support
which the consolidation was expected by those
who carried II through to inspire have actually
boon secured in generous measure. The expert
mont undertaken by the representatives OF the
eovorol trusts was such as 10 awaken not
utno solicitude. 1t involved not only some sac
ri6ccs which were not less serious because lheE
,vere Of n sentimental nature, but also some
,ssLs in resnect TO It's standing before the Legs
,otrre tho courts. the municipality ana the
nu,,ic All these doubts have been happily re-
so,vod and furthermore the operation or inc
,,och;nerv devised TO carry on the work has
heon sincnlarly smooth and efficient. AT the
interests
,,;i,ioS IN he concilated, or. at least, 1T was
thoucht nrudent" as the report says. ITO secure
"o cor+oin representation 10 the several llDra-
"rics in the organization Of the respective com
o,ni,toos and in the conduct Of the affairs or
"tbo now CORPORATION; whereas the trustees
nov, "rccaU with satisfaction that all such con-
"sidorations have long ceased to have the rant
cost veirht and that now no regard Is pald 10
"tbo norticular needs Of either Of the three
"oririnal corporations, except as affecting the
"nuhlic welfare" In short. consolidation Is an
occomnlished fact in the fullest sense, and on
tho trinle foundation for whose conference ana
stahilitv some reasonable fear was felt lhe
\eyYork Public Library already stands secure.
Sucb has been the internal history OF the en-
tornrise The cooperative interest and sym
nathv Of the community are equally a cause
for Qualification and confidence Invaluable as
tho Aston and Lenox libraries were in their re-
spective spheres and important as was the
Ti,den beouest even after It's proportions had
becn cut down by litigation, the fact remains
that they did not appeal powerfully cl'her 10
,ho many nc Instruments for their entertain
mont and instruction. or to the few, as deserv-
Ing objects of support and promotion since
their consolidation the case has been widely
different. as the trustees hoped though not
without msgivings that It might he. Ihough
still without building and the necessary Ia
cilitcs for adequately presenting itself 10 uni
rorsal observation the New-York Public Library
has nevertheless acquired in the common eSu-
nation the quality Of popular institution,
"existinc for the welfare of all the citizens OF
"the metropolis and appealing TO the support Of
"all who are interested in the spread or learn
ing"
Those are the solid achievements Of less IMAM
four years. They seem TO us TO supply ample
guarantees Of n noble future