The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-04-03
TO EXTEND ITS USEFULNESS.
FUND MAY BE RAISED FOR GEOR-
GA HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

of Extending the BENEFITS of the
society to the Public More Gener-
ally and Suggesting Annual Sub
scriptiOns by Number of Public
spirited Citizens for This PurpOse.
Mr.. j. FIOrance Minis Proposition
in Behalf of Another Gentleman,
Looking to Securing Fund of
S.. 000-Director Carl l.. Brandt to
Expend $4,000 for Paintings for
the TeIfair Academy.
move to improve the financial status
and extend the usefulness of the Georgia
Historical Society is likely to be shortly
put on foot 1t was partly developed at
the meeting of the society last night,
when two propositions, coming from diff
ferent directions, both having the same
objec, in view, and both entirely unex-
pected by the society, We're received.
One proposition was in the
shape of communication from
Mayor Myers, discussing means
of extending the benefits of the
society more generally to the public, and
suggesting that a move be made to get
number of citizens, say 100, to agree to
subscribe a certain amount annually TO
the society, conditioned upon the library
being made free to those now unable to
become members or to the entire public.
The other proposition was from Mr.. j.
F Minis, who stated that he au-
thorized by a well known gentleman to
tender a subscription of $500 to the gem
eral fund of the society, conditioned upon
forty-nine others doing the same thing.
+oA hot In wa
pied with no restrictions as to the dis
position of the funds thus obtained
Mayor Myers communication had al
ready been referred 20 the board of man
ayers when Mr.. Minis announced the Of
fer which he was authorized to make.
Naturally this offer, following close upon
the suggestions made in the Mayors let-
ter, aroused considerable interest. Pres
ident Mercer expressed some doubt Of
the feasibility of finding forty-nine other
gentlemen VINO would be willing 20 sub
scribe as literally as the gentleman for
whom Mr. Minis acted as spokesman.
Mr. b. A. Denmark thought differently.
It would be q much easier matter to raise
this amount than some of the other mem
bers seemed to think, Mr.. Denmark said,
provided the movement was properly di
rected. Mr.. Denmark said he thought
this could be accomplished, especially if
the condition as to the subscription of
$3.50 each by limited number be removed,
and the subscription list be opened to
those who might desire to subscribe a less
amount than $500
The idea of having a fund of $25 000..
with which to increase its facilities and
extend its usefulness, was very pleasant
TO the members of the society present.
and the prospect of accomplishing this
was regarded with a degree of hopeful
ness which has been foreign to the meet
SDPiatU mi CT
was even suggested that the board OF
cuIatOrs should hold a special meeting
iof the purpose of taking the matter under
consideration. The feasibility of making
me privileges of the library free to the
pubic, and the fund which would be nee
essary in order TO permit of this. was also
incidentally discussed. Mr.. Minis offer
was referred to the board of cura tors
Mr.. William Harden stated that the
tHtance Committee at its last meeting
1aa mad under consideration the advisa-
e.diy OF undertaking to secure funds to
Increase the usefulness of the society.
mo TACT that the same thing had occurred
70 others was regarded by Mr.. Harden
as a very hopeful sign.
mayor Myers communica ton will be
l'aP with interest by the members and
trends of the Georgia Historical Society,
ana the public generally. 1t is as fol-
savannah, Ga. April ?. 1900--To the
,,r'sldent and Members of the Georgia
historical Society. Gentlemen: NY atten-
'n mas been ately directed to the efforts
'"'i are being made. and with much sue
ySs' IN other cities toward the establish
ent and upbuilding Of public libraries,
is 'iles where no yearly membership fee
'Nacted but the books of which are
pen 10 all and TO which the poorest of
me community are welcome.
IN lhs connection ii has occurred to
mg mat Savannah suffers from the alb
5tt"'e or such library. Willie / do not
age the work that the Georgia His
real Society library is do ing, 1 feel in
common, perhaps, with a great body of
cIllzens, that its usefulness is very
united and that it reach rs and assists
~. very small proportion of our popu-
,,'lI I'D. Persons of means are able to buy
'.II works as they may desire to read or
uly' and such Of them as are members
W. me Georgia HISTORICAL Society probably
so from the fact that they desire to
'IsI an old and worthy institution. Many
rs members doubtless never take a
Igihe from its shelves, having as much
'u4hg matter at home as they desire or
LAY need Of. Outside of its membership
f.. we great mass of our people. men Of
'ttHiy and of limited means, the school
'Ieh whose parents are taxed to pro-
rNe Tor them and unable TO spare the
,".unt required for membership i'm the
ID " small though IT may seem TO those
-. 'ter financial circumstances. As a
sun the library bs somewhat of a close
grafton reaching but the few, ana
'"N put 1.-THE of the good il might
I'lPHsh II conducted on broader lines
a. Al appears to rae that there are many
our citizens who. having the same
as haze. would be willing 10 give
", 'Ilaln yearly donation TO the library
10y so doing they could make IL of a
H.. ,ruly public character, and place
ia, 'or number of our people The fact
i- ll Us not public institution. eNcept
a.',.--..ilnl United sense, probably has N the past
r..t,tt.u many from uniting with Il, or
tcli. donations TO It OF cash and OF
bas,, u were put on a more public
ana made free 10 the school children