The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-02
SPLENDID GIFT
FOR A LIBRARY
Mt. Andrew Carnegie Of
fers to Donate 100000.
THE CITY MUST GIVE.
Council Must Set Apart $4,000 Per
Year for Library Support.
THE LETTER TO Mr.. WHlTTET.
The Steel King Explains the Terms Upon
Which the Gift Is Made Council
Is Expected to Accept the
Conditions-The Budget
Was Cou-
Cured IN.
CURED In.

Mr.. Andrew Carnegie, the steel king,
has offered to give the city Of Richmond
the sum OF 100000 for public library
building.
It has been a long while since a SEN
cation has been exploded in either branch
OF the City Council equal to that pro-
tiuced b. the announcement of this offer
by Mr.. Robert Nhittet, Jr., at the meet
ing of the Board OF Aldermen last night
This generous offer is made subject to
a guarantee upon the part of the city
to support the library with an annual
appropriation of $4,000 {, year.
1t is the fruit of a correspondence be-
tween Alderman Whittet and Mr.. Car
negie on the subject, and the members
of the Board We're loud in their express
sions of congratulation to Mr.. Whittet
for his success in bringing the subject
to Mr., Carnegie's favorable considera-
ton.
After securing a conditional offer Mr..
Whittet endeavored to get Mr.. Carnegie
to make the gift upon guarantee by
the city of $1,000 q year in support OF
the institution. Mr.. Carnegie, however,
regards $4,000 as necessary for the main
tenance OF a public library commensu-
rate with the size and dignity of Rich
mond
MIR. CARNEGIE'S LETTER.
His letter to Mr.. 'Nhittet, in which he
makes the proposition, is as follows:
New York, Feb. p, 1901.
Robert Whittet. Esq, Richmond. Va.
Dear Mr. Whittet: The city of Rich
mond. Va, with 1000 population, can do
little for 4 public library with less than
$4,000 q year 1t ought to spend much
more, but IL it will bind itself by ordin-
snce Of Councils to furnish a site and tax
itself to the extent of $4,000 a year, to be
devoted to the library, shall be glad to
give 100000 for the building needed. Very
truly yours,
ANDREW CARNEGIE.
In connection with the offer OF Mr.
Carnegie. Mr.. Whittet offered the follow
iu.' resolution
RESOLUTION OF ACCEPTANCE.
Whereas. Mr.. Andrew Carnegie, by q
communication directed to Mr. Robert
V};;ttet. which communication is filed
herewith. offered the sum of S1e0,ooo tor
tie erection of a public library building IN
the CITY OF Richmond. on some suitable
site, to be provided by said city.
Then be it resolved by the Council of
the CITY OF Richmond and the Common
Council concurrins
l. That the generous Slft De ana 'ne
same is hereby accepted by the city on
tbe terms and conditions indicated in the
said communication.
2 That the library so established shaH
be known as the 'Carlesie ootiS ~
rary of Richmond
3 That a standing committed, 10 NC
known rs the Carnegie Library Commit
tee to consist of three members oI .lie
Common Council and two members OF lhe
Board of Aldermen. to be appointed 's
the presidents Of the respective pooies'
and three citizens, to be elected annuah!
bv the Council, is hereby crealeu' his'
said committee shall have charge VI 'i'e
creation and the control and manase'''e!i'
of said library. subject, ho"esei' ~ st'S
supervision OF the Councli.
said committee shall Immediately
mon annointment forward to MI car
napie nroper notification OF the accept
ancc ;,v the city OF his masn1nceht Sit.
pEEERPED FINANCE COMMIT lE1.
Under the rules of the Councit the mat
for went the way OF all .lhahciai piopv-
sitionsto the Finance Committee-With
instructions to report at an cary ut'te,
in order that the matter might De cioseu
before Mr.. Carnegie StaTiS upolA iit' GA
nua1 tour to Europe.
Only Mr.. Whittet spoke upon the SUP
ject He was enthusiastic over the sue
cess Of his efforts. He spoke in glowing
terms of the needs of such an institution,
and declared his positive belief That un-
less the city grasped this opportunity 1t
might never occur again.
EXPRESSIONS OF APPRECIATION.
There was no discussion of the matter
during the meeting of the Board. After
adjournment. however, there were many
and hearty expressions Of cordial appre-
citation of the generosity of Mr.. Carnegie
The great need of a free public library
here in Richmond was discussed by the
Fathers in groups of three or four. and
an earnest movement will be :naugu-
rated to see to it that the city does its
part in order to secure this large and
munificent gift.
The fact that in SO doing the city en-
ters into a serious and permanent oblga-
ton to appropriate S10.0G0 was not lost
sight of, however, and the matter will
receive careful and thorough considera-
ton by the Finance Committee
BUDGET CONQUERED IN.
.fhe budget as passed by the Common
Council came up and was concurred in
without change or amendment Within flf-
teen minutes Of the assembling Of the
City Fathers.
Mr. Allen offered. a motion to the effect
that all appropriations for institutions not
Under control of the city. or in the ad-
ministration of which the city has no
representative, be rescnded.
Mr.. Allen stated that as q matter of
principle he had always opposed appro-
prlations OF this character. His motion
was lost on q recorded vote. Mr.. Allen
: only voting for it.
The roll was then called on concur
renee. The budget was unanimously
adopted. A singular feature of the pro-
ceedings was that the budget was not
read, nor were copies of the measure
supplied.
The City Auditor had only supplied
thirty copies, and they had all been used
by the lower branch. Not one was ex-
tant and for. time 1t looked as though
members would stve way to their very
apparent umhrage and adjourn until tho