New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-11
MAYORLAYS CORNERSTONE
CEREMONIES AT FOUNDATION OF THE
NEW PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Mayor Low yesterday laid the cornerstone Of
the new New-York Public Library Astor. Lenox
and Tilden foundations. at FOrty-second-st and
Fifth-ave at p. m.
The cornerstone suspended over its resting
place within the Enclosure at the northeast cor
ner OF the library site. The ceremony began with
an invocation by the Rev. DR.. W. R. Huntington.
rector OF Grace Church who in the OF his
prayer referred to the library 'wsdOm's house."
invoked the Almighty to strengthen its seven pill
lars and to give sound discretion those who
will govern it's affairs. and asked that the bene-
factors of the library be gratefully
bered for their munfcence.
John BigelOw, president Of the board OF trustees
OF the library. in his address referred the gift
Of Samuel J. Tiden making possible the AstOr-
Lenox-Tiden foundation of the New-York Public
Library. He referred to the need to the public Of
such library as the one in course Of erection,
pecialy to the wage earners. who. he declared.
composed seven-tenths of the population % the city,
and who not in position 10 avail themselves
OF the knowledge TO he obtained from books except
through the agency of a public library He ended
by paying a tribute to Andrew Carnegie for his
magnificent contributions libraries. and TO the
administrations of Mayor Strong. Van Wyck and
Low. none of whom, he declared, refused the Ii
brary anything it asked for.
Mayor Low used a silver troweI. the architects
standing beside him. The troweI it's face bore
an inscription telling how 1t used. and
on its back the fact that IT presented to the
Mayor by the architects. Just before the corner
stone was laid large bronze box placed in
position under the big white block of marble. con-
tanning the usual collection of newspapers. coins,
documents and reports pertaining to the library.
After the Mayor had spread the mortar. the stone
lowered into position and Mayor Low for
maly declared the foundation stone Of the
New-York Public Library Astor-Lenox-Tflden
Foundation. laid After briefly telling of the steps
which led to the agreement of the board of trus-
tees Of the Astor Library. the Lenox Library and
the Ttden Trust to unite in the promotion of the
New-York Public Library. and the succeeding
measures to execute the plans and saying that 1t
required great breadth Of vision. a large public
spirit and fine sense of the fitness of things to
appreciate that the increased power for public
service to be obtained by such a merger would
exalt rather than belittle each of the individual
benefactOrs. he referred to Andrew Carnege's
contribution of 100000 for branch libraries and
the city's contribution Of sites. likely to represent
more than NOOO.O0O When all the branches were
In full operation the city likely to contribute
about million dollars year for their support
So far the New-YOrk Public Library
cerned, the City's obligations and expenditures.
apart from the erection Of the building were en-
trey in the interest Of it's circulating department
the Astor. Lenox and Tilden foundations pro-
viding and supporting the reference library. Con-
tinuing he said:
1t may safely be predicted therefore. that in the
near future the City Of New-York will enjoy the
culatIng libraries to be found in any city Of the
world, ana a reference library also OF the very
highest rank It is probably true or it has been
until recently that for the purpose Of writing
American history a student work in the Brit
single library in the world. 1t is doubtless true
| that the American historian still so to the
British Museum and to other libraries in Europe
and this will continue to be the case; for library
can hope to command all the material bearing upon
the time is close at hand When the student Of
c6 fn t ne aR g Pub OILY bT 9a m 1
one offering 10 him, on the whole the largest OPP
| portunity
| II means 20 city 20 be the centre OF literary
/ and scientific life such library Of this kind
| become more and more the home Of men who will
minister to the higher life of the city and Of the
| country who Will acGuaint the city with the deep
lessons OF the past; who Will honorably Identity
with the discoveries OF the future. and who will
/ assure TO 1t worthy position IN the inspiring
marcn or progress in which the cities OF the world
| taking the lead Great libraries the store
\ houses Of human knowledge. and such they
the granarieS out Of whose rich accommodations
the seeds that rructify the years that are to
| be. The New-YOrk Public Library, therefore.
means that the city OF New-YOrk will serve man
| kind in the days to come as never before.
At the centre. in the superb building 10 be erected
here there will be the treasure house OF the world
from every land for the purpose OF study and work
In every quarter Of the great city there will be a
home not otherwise TO be discovered the taste for
scholarship and learning that will certainly result
In blessing the world in ways not 10 be measured.
At the end of the Mayors address Archbishop
Farley attred in his robes Of Office closed the cere
monies with brief prayer and benedction.
Among those present were the special delegates
| from London who are be- the guests Of the
| Chamber Of Commerce to-day at the opening OF
| its home Sir Albert K. Rollit. NJ. P; Lieu
| tenant General T. ". Laurie NJ P. ". P. Wood
Arthur Serena. T. Y. Henderson, John Henne and
| Sir Vincent II. B. Darlington.