The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-16
!. HOME FOR The LIBRARY.
THE IDEA OF CITY TRUSTEE
DEVINE.
An Effort to Secure the e. b.
Croker Residence, and the
Reasons Therefore.

Trustee Devine Is circulating a paper
among city officials and citizens gen
orally to be presented to the City Trus-
tees, the City Library Trustees and the
directorate of the California Museum
Association, soliciting them to jointly
memorabilia Mrs. E. B. Croker to
change her suggested donation of her
residence property from the Elks-it
being understood that the order is by
no means agreed that it can carry the
burden of ownership-to the city, for
the purpose of occupation by the City
Free, Library.
His argument is that by this change
Mrs. Crocker's object will be broadened
and benefit the larger body of the peo-
pie; that he has reason to believe that,
with the consent of the Elks, such a
change can be effected; that it will give
the city the finest library surroundings
in the State; that there will then be
ample room for all departments of the
library for specialized reading rooms,
rooms for chess, smoking rooms and
retiracy apartment, and for separation
of library departments, and for differ
ing temperatures in reading rooms, etc.
He argues that the city can then
transfer it's office and council chamber
to the present library building and thus
save $500 in rent it now pays an
nually; that a portion of this saving
of over 500 a month can be used to
enlarge the library fund and enable it
to increase it's usefulness, and that
when the city is prepared to build a
City Hall it can dispose of the library
building with ease, as it is valuable
property.
He holds that by the change the City
Art Gallery and library will be in one
group and grounds under high cultiva-
ton and in environment unequalled for
beauty. Thus, Mr.. Devine holds the
pride of the people will be quickened in
these two possessions, and both will be
immensely benefited. It will, he urges,
greatly benefit the west side section and
tend to draw 1t from it's retiracy some
what and increase values.
To the objection that the propertv is
on one side of the city, the reply is
made that line of street cars run to
the door; that it is only four blocks
from the business heart of the city;
that it is but three-quarters of a mile
from the present location of the IL
and half miles in width and length
the question of distance is a trivial
one, compared to the saving to the city.
the gain to the library and the splendid
advantage it will be to have the art
and literature institutions of the city
grouped in one half block, the sole
property of the city and in an environ
ment of beauty, with fresh air in plenty
for each building, and making UP in
the combination an attraction of high
est character, to which Sacramentans
can invite strangers with renewed
pride. !.
By the taking of the property, if Mrs.
Croker and the Elks consent, he ar
CUES there will be no taxation on it,
and the expense of it's care will not
be materially more than for the polio
ing of the present buildings, the Art
Gallery and the Library. The two
buildings, he argues. are already united
by housed-in balcony, and are prac-
tically one. He urges that, aside from
saving 1000 year to the city in rent,
the city offices will be far better To-
Gated than now, while the Library will
have more than double the room it
now has, and will enjoy advantages
for the benefit of the people, and that
it can never expect to have in the
present building.
ing in securing support for his propo-
sition, and 1t is at his request that they
are laid before the people.