The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-15

the city OF Pawtucket for the purpose of
which II shall be designed for such use
forever In the event that / should hot
be spared to consummate this work my
children can be relied upon to take my
place.
(Signed)
FREDERIC CLARK sAYLEs.
Pawtucket, June 8, 1898
OFFER ACCEPTED.
In accepting the generous offer OF Mr.
Sayles, Alderman Willard Thayer pre-
sented the following resolution in joint
convention:
Whereas, The Hon. Frederic Clark
Sayles has this day expressed his in
tention OF presenting to the city of Paw
tucket tract of land on the northerly
side OF Summer street. known as the
Fairbrother estate. and has further de-
clared his intention of erecting thereon
suitable building to be used as free
public library for said citizens the whole
TO constitute tribute TO the memory of
Deborah Cook Sayles. therefore
Resolved. That this City Council. for
itself and In behalf OF the citizens OF our
own city and In the name OF future gen
erations, express its profound gratitude
for this manifestati OF public spirit on
the part Of the donor
Resolved: That the government pledges
Itself to further and promote so far as
IL can consistently under existing laws
the purpose and objects which said gift
is designed TO secure.
This resolution was passed the com
munication was ordered recorded and an
engrossed copy of the resolution was or
dered forwarded TO Mr.. sayles,
DESIGNING THE BUILDING
After the acceptance OF the offer by
the City Council Mr.. Sayles sought thel
acceptance of Mr.. Frank F. Tingley oil
Providence. a well known architect
Mr.. Sayles expressed HIS general desires
as TO the plan and scope OF the projcc.
and the former directed his efforts 10
the subject
He called into consultation MIR. William
=. Foster. librarian OF the Providence
Public Library. President Charles c.
Soue OF the Brookline. Mass. Public IL
Vary anu MIS-. TeneTva x. SaUndGFs. II
hlarian OF the Pawtucket Free Public IL
lrary
After careful consideration Of all
the factors involved MIR. Tingley SUBMIT
cd To Mr. Sayles proposition for an
open shelf library building with space
for approximately 30 200 20 $4,000 vol
umcs. The result OF the study was
promptly accepted by Mfr Sayles and taxi
ing his departure 60 Europe for the pur-
pose of studying the architecture OF
public Libraries in the several foreign
Countries. he empowered Mr. Tingley 10
proceed with the execution OF the plan
discussed
Mr. Tinglcy invited "a architects, l2
of the Rhode Island chapter. all known
for their aptitude OF the work desired.
10 participate In the competition. Fiji
teen firms accepted the offer, being as
follows stone. Carpenter q Wilson.
Providence George w Cady. Providence:
Hoppin a Ely. Angel & Swift. f. J.
Sawtele A. f. Shurocks. Clarke &
Spaulding and Martin & Hall. all Of Prov
idence: York 8 Sawyer Of New York
Hapgood n Hapgood and A. 8. Fair
brother OF Hartford Conn; G. IT. Black
hall. Cabot Everett a. Mead. and Cram |
Goodhue a Ferguson ~ Boston.
general idea OF what was desired |
was given all the architects and as an !
extra inducement three premiums Of 5000 |
for the best unaccepted designs were Of
fered
The design of Cram Goodhue & Fergu- |
son ~ Boston was accepted and the pre-
miums were awarded 10 Cabot. Everett |
q Mead Of Boston, York & SAWYER ~ |
New York and Hall Martin A. Hall of /
Providence. Nearly all the designs sub
mitted were noteworthy representations |
of the best of architecture and the one
selected could hardly be improved upon.
THE BUILDING.
The accepted design submitted bv
Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson of Boston
Is a perfect example OF Greek architecture
and one OF the most imposing libraries
In the country. The building is the finest
grained white granite from the famous
quarries az North Jay. Me. II r. situated
on Summer street between High and
North Union streets I'm the centre OF the
city. IL Is surrounded by some of the
most pretentious buildings IN the city.
the city hall. Masonic building. First |
Baptist church. and telephone building,