The Savannah morning news., 1902-01-08
MERCER TO MAYOR
HIS ANSWER TO THE SUGGESTION
FOR A PUBLIC LIBRARY.
COUNCIL WILL CONSIDER IT.
PROBABLE THAT CONFERENCE
WILL BE HELD ABOUT LIBRARY.

the Georgia Historical society,
Has Written the Mayor, Informing
Him why Hodgson Hall May Not
Re Ised for the Free Public Lii
brary--The Suggestion by Col.
Mercer That Another Building BE
Erected on the Historical SOcicty's
Lot-He Suggests a Conference.
Resolution VIII Probably He Of
fcred To-day.
A resolution will probably be intro
duced in the City Council to-
day, calling for the appointment
of a committee to take up, in connec-
ton with a committee from the Geor-
gia Historical Society. the considera-
ton of the establishment of a free
library, should an endowment be made
by Mr.. Andrew Carnegie. The letter
written last Saturday by Mayor Myers
to Col. George A. Mercer, president OF
the Historical Society, was answered
yesterday, Col. MERGERS reply setting
forth the status of Hodgson Hall.
In his letter Col Mercer said:
Your communication of the
4th inst, was received at
my house on the evening of that
day: and at the earliest possible mo-
ment was submitted to the Georgia
Historical Society at a meeting last
evening. After full discussion, l was
instructed to reply to you as follows:
The society fully recognizes the great
benefits to accrue to Savannah by the
establishment and maintenance of
well-conducted public library, and will
cordially cooperate with the municipal
authorities in the wise consummation
of this purpose.
THE present building, occupied by
the society, known as Hodgson Hall,
cannot be diverted under the terms of
the trust through which it holds the
building to any other than the char
tered uses. and purposes of the society.
The Historical Society was organized
by the Legislature of Georgia on Dec.
49, 1899, for the express purpose of
collecting, preserving and diffusing In
formation relating to the history of
the state of Georgia in particular, and
of American history generally
THE creation of a library was not
provided for in its charter. When
constitution for the society was sub
lied the creation of a library, for the
use of its members This provision
contemplated only the use and advan-
tages of library to its paying MEM
bers, and by no means suggested the
public use of such a library. Even if
such provision could have been made
In accordance with the spirit and pro-
visions of its charter.
The direct and specified purpose of
Of H.
islature was the collecting, preserving
and diffusing historical information,
and il is very questionable whether,
under the terms of that charter. any
except historical works and documents
could be legally collected. 1t
certainly neither included nor contem-
plated a library of miscellaneous books
for the use of the public. However.
even, If by very strained construc-
lion, such a use could be sanctioned
the Georgia Historical Society now re-
quires the whole of Hodgson Hall. and
all the facilities it offers, to conserve
and properly carry on, the plain provi-
sions and import OF it's organization.
The present building had been be-
gun by Mrs. Margaret Telfair Hodgson
AS memorial gift to the memory Of
her late husband. William Brown
Hodgson. After her death 1t was
completed by Miss Mary Telfair. her
sister and residuary legatee. The deed
made to the lot and building. on June
10. 1874, by Miss Mary Telfair convey
ed the title to Alexander r. Lawton
his executors and administrators for
ever, and was for the express USE of
the Georgia Historical Society on GER
tain expressed terms and condition: il
was conveyed in express trust to
permit the Georgia Historical Society
to have the exclusive use, possession
control and management Of the same;
and il was provided that the building
should never be rented or lent out for
any purposes whatsoever" This is a
clear inhibition against the use of said
lot or building for any other than the
strict chartered purposes of the socie-
ty: and even if the title were in the So
cety, and subject to its disposition
which it is not, such application or
misuser might involve a forfeiture of
it's privileges.
While, therefore. it is apparent that
the Historical Society cannot divert
Hodgson Hall into a free public library,
there is another solution of the prob
lem which may be made easy. The
society owns in fee simple and subject
to its own control, the full lot adjoin-
ing Hodgson Hall TO the South This
affords ample space for the erection
of a large and commodious free library
building, which, under proper archi-
like an enlargement of the present
building, be connected with it so as to
be conducted under one management
a beautiful ornament to the city, and
grand intellectual endowment and
blessing TO its people. While the His
torical Society might be able to donate
many of its books of lighter character
10 the free library as a nucleus, the
fixed charges of management would
have to be met by the city or the
donor.
with view to the discussion of
this fruitful subject. and to the con-
summation of a project so devoutly
TO be wished. the Historical Society
suggests a conference at an early day
with the honorable, the Mayor and AL
dermen. and has appointed as its COM
mittee myself as chairman, with Judge
Thomas NJ. Norwood, Supt. Otis Ash
more, Prof. NJ. M. Parks and DIR. r. j.
Num-. This committee viii be pleased
To meet IT. conference your honorable
body at such early time and place as
you indicate"
The Mayor takes decided exception
10 the view expressed by Col. Mercer
and other members OF the Historical
Society upon the question of politics
finding It's way into the conduct OF a
free public library controlled by the
city. He expressed the highest regard
for Cob Mercer. but said that ne could
not remain silent and permit the state
inent that there might be politics in a
free library 10 its detriment remain
unchallenged. Col. Mercer. he said. IL