The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-26
Resolution Goes Back With Favorable
Recommendation.
MANY STRONG PLEAS MADE.
Leading Business and Professional Men aud
Educators Strongly Urge the City to
Seize the Opportunity to Do
Great Thing for the
Prosperity OF Her
People.

The chances seem good for Richmond
to have public library The people
want it and the Council seems disposed
to do it's part toward securing it.
The Finance Committee last night.
after q long and interesting session, de-
cided to recommend to the Council that
it accept the offer of Mr. Andrew Car
negie to give s1oe,ooo for the establish
nent of the library. provided the city
would appropriate $4,000 annually for
its maintenance.
y number of influential and represents
ative citizens were heard in earnest ad-
vocacy of such a course. The need of a
public library and the great advantages
which result and have resulted else
where from the establishment of a lib
rary were discussed. After a short exec
utive session. the committee voted 10 ac-
cept MIR. Carnegies offer.
MANY COMMUNICATIONS
The committee met in the Council
Chamber and there Were many Interest,"
ed citizens present despite The heavy
rain.
The clerk of the committee read the
resolution of acceptance offered in the
Board OF Aldermen by Mr. Whittet and
referred to the finance Committee, and
also the letter of Mr. Carnegie, to Mr.
Whttet.
The other communications read were the
resolution of the Board of Directors OF the
Chamber of Commerce, advising the de-
clination of the Passenger and Power
Coulpanys offer TO support the library for
five years. which was accompanied by the
letter of the Passenger and Power Com
pany to the Chamber of Commerce; the
resolutions ct the Randolph Literary So
cety; the resolutions OF the Vomans
| Club: the resolutions OF the faculty of
Richmond College; a communication from
Nv. B., of Waynesboro, Va: a communi-
cation from Lewis H Blair; the resolu-.
tions oif the Richmond Educational 4Assa-
citation, and the resolutions of the Rich
| nlond Art Club.
Mr.. Robert Whittet, Sr. spoke for the
acceptance of Mr.. Catrnegie's offer. The
advantages and desraibility OF a library
| are so great. thought Mr.. Eyhittet that
the burden which Mr.. Carnegie.s offer i'm
posed should be assumed gladly. The
| 100000 building would be valuable ad-
| dition TO the city's assets. Mr.. Whttet
! thought the offer could not be well de-
clined.
MUST II-AVB THE, LIBRARY
| DR. Calisch thought Richmond could not
| longer afford to be without q library
| Some say DOCKS are cheap ana IN the
| reach OF every one. but these books are
| cheap books in every sense. The young
| students tastes will be guided into better
! and safer paths by a public library than
by the reading of the cheap literature of
| the day DR.. Calisch Thought the sen1i-
| ment which led TO objectfng 20 the accep-
! tauce of the offer OF citizens Or combiua-
| tons for such a purpose. "A fooiist. one.
| II this sentiment was TO be accepted the
| Lee monument. the Yorktown picture IN
| the Capitol and other uuCh-priZed public
! ornaments of the city would have TO be
| given up We must have the library. said
| Dr. Ca1isah.
| Col Anderson said he had not come to
! speak but TO testify by his presence OF his
| interest in the matter. He earnestly hoped
! the library would be secured and suggested
I an additional tax IL necessary
| Mr. s S z. Patteson explained the fsa-
| lures of the bill PASSED by the Legislature
at the last regular session. allowing aad-
! tional taxation for library il recessary-
! Ffe thought the library should be secured
| with or without taxation. Mr.. carnegie's
| offer should be accepted at once
| RARE. CHANCE FOR CITY.
| Mr. C. V. Meredith was of opinion that
| offers of this character don't come every
| day. 4 library would give an opportunity
| that Richmouds citizens have never had.
| 1t is TO the discredt of Richmond and
! Virginia that it now has no public library.