The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-07-06
GUST KENNEDY AT
MEETING TONIGHT
Believed That Librarian Will Be
Removed from Office BY Vote
Of Three to Two.
MANY WISH TO SUCCEED HIM
Election Of New Librarian May
Go Over if Vacancy
Occurs III
MANY WISH TO SUCCEED HIM

At last thoroughly weary OF tho
friction and Disqualification that are
unquestionably proving OF great harm,
to the institution, the public generally
are awaiting with more than ordinary
interest the session Of the State Library
Board, which assemblies here tonight
for the purpose of determining the
fate of Librarian ohm p, Kennedy, o
question which has so long appar-
emily hung in the balance.
That at this fitting definite and final
action Will be taken is the Judgment
Of those close to the situation. The
status Of the matter is that ut the last
meeting Of the old board Mr.. Kenne-
dy's resignation as librarian was re-
jectcd by q vote Of three to two. 1t
having been presented pending the in
quiry concerning the affairs Of the
library No paper is therefore be-
fore the board at this time, and q
resolution Of some kind will have to be
offered Tonight in order to get it
properly before the body.
The vote by which the resignation Of
Mr. Kennedy was rejected was as fol-.
lows: Ayes-Messrs. Garnet, Pattesont
and N1eredith-3 Noes-Messrs. Cor.
don and Fishburne-2. Since that
meeting Mr.. Edmund Pendleton, OF this
city has been elected member Of the
board, defeating Hon. Charles v. Mere
dith. and it is thought that Show
down" will come tonight, and that the
figures Will be reversed, and will stand
three to two in favor of change III
the office of librarian. a
Full Attendance Expected.
All the members are expected to at
tend, as the matters to be considered
are Of great interest ind Importance.
The first is in relation to retiring.
Mr.. Kennedy and electing his successor
and another concerning the ray Of the
young ladies Of the library class for
work done by them for DR.. George Ben
johnston. This money was held up
by Mr.. Kennedy on the ground that
he had no authorityto payit over. He
will lay the matter before the board
tonight. There are other questions Of
Importance to be considered, and the
session promises to be q protracted
one.
Mr.. Kennedy Is still at the James
town Exposition, but will return here
In time to attend to-night's meeting.
1t Is suggested that in view Of the
strained conditions in the library and
the sharp criticism which has been
passed upon him Mr. Kennedy NAV
reoffer his resignation. This is not at
all probable, however, and the more
plausible view is that some member
OF the board will present resolution
OF removal, and that the Vote will come
directly on this.
Many Would Take It.
The field contains a number of posi-
tive and receptive candidates Among
them are Mcssrs. J.. G.. HanlSins, Of
HalifaX; Lawrence Washington, of
Ale .,t''1 John S. Patton, Of Char
lottesville; Dr. J. "A. &c. Chandler. Of
Richmond, and Dr.. II. r. AicIlwaIne.
of Hampden-s Sidney College.
II Mr.. Kennedy shall be removed to-
night, as now appears most likely,
1t is doubtful If an election will be
had at the same meeting. The board
WEI more probably designate some
one to act as librarian, and fix a later
date FOR choosing Mr.. Kennedy's sue
cessor.
1T probably wouldn't take mo long
to make up my mind as to a new libra
rlan" said one of the members of the
board last night, and the same NAV
be true of the other members: but it
may require good deal of time for
the five minds to be brought together
on the candidate. This does not neces
sarly indicate any sharp division of
sentiment among the members on tho
question Of new librarian. If it shall
develop that one is to be chosen, as
the members have not committed them.
selves publicly, II at all. and their
Individual sentiments are therefore NOT
| known. g
Where 1t All Started.
| The situation in the library, with
which the board will be called upon
to deal tonight, is q most remark
able one, and all the circumstances
which led up to It are OF interest. =
1t had its origin before the school.
book Investigating committee last
l winter, when that body was inquiring
into the prices of textbooks in Vir-
ginia. The purchase and sale of copy
OF Burl's History Of Virginia by Mr.
Kennedy was discovered, along with
numerous other transactions Of the
librarian. and the Library Board late,
conducted an independent inquiry, thu
result OF which was that Mr. Kennel,
was retained as librarian by vote OF
3 to 2. Meanwhile the personnel q,
the board has been changed, and the
discord and lack of haynony between
the librarian and some Of his assist
anus mas become more apparent thar
ever before. Sharp clashes have take,
place from time to time. and nothint
| has TRANSFERRED to indicate that ther,
was the barest hope Of anything ap
] preaching a permanent reconciliation
of the two factions. Meanwhile, 1t i
a commended by many that the peopl
/ have rights in tho library, which Is
: public institution. and that It's useful
: ness has already been seriously i'm