The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1946-08-01

Board of County Commissioners, the
Mayor and Council and the residents
of Washington County, the Board Of
Trustees of the Washington County
Free Library quote from sections
of the library's charter, set up at
the time of its incorporation in 1898,
as proof that they were fully with
in their legal rights, as trustees, in
authorizing the sale of the grand
father clock, for which they accept
full responsibility. The sale of the
clock has resulted in several letters
of protest, published in the daily
papers.
The text of the open letter fol-
lows:
Board of County Commissioners
of Washington County
Mayor and Council of Hagerstown
Residents of Washington County
The Trustees of the Washington
County Free Library believe that
you will be interested and enlight-
enedl by the following factual in
formation about your Library.
The Library was incorporated in
1898. The charter was undoubtedly
prepared by or under the direction
of Mr.. Edward Mealey, who was a
lawyer as well as the Librarys first
President. Copy of this charter can
be examined at the Library by any
one who is genuinely interested. The
following excerpts, however, may be
of especial interest:
Under Section 2, "the said Trustees
and their successors shall have all
the powers and privileges herein
after enumerated, to create, erect
establish and maintain free public
library in the town of HagerstoWn
for the use of the inhabitants OF
Washington County as follows: To
purchase, acquire and hold all real
estate necessary for the purposes of
said library. To receive by gift,
grant, devise, bequest, or otherwise,
all land necessary as a site for said
library, and to receive also by gift,
grant, devise, bequest or otherwise,
all moneys, funds or other property,
for the erection thereon of proper
and suitable buildings for library
purposes. To receive all moneys,
funds or other property, donated to
said The Washington County Free
Library and to apply the same or
the annual proceeds thereof, to the
maintenance and support of said
library, to the acquisition or pur-
chase of books and all other things
or property necessary for the prop
er equipment and maintenance of
a free public library, according to
the intent and directions of any
donor or donors. To make and effect
from time to time sales of books,
as may be deemed beneficial. To
make rules for the regulation of said
library, with power to provide for
the enforcement of the same. To
contract and pay for the services
of a librarian or librarians, and all
other labor and services necessary
for the proper maintenance of said
library. To purchase and maintain
all necessary furniture and other
equipment; to provide for heating,
lighting and insuring the building or
buildings; and with power to per-
form all other acts necessary to
establish and maintain in perpetuity
free public library for the use of
the inhabitants of Washington Coun-
ty, and to carry into effect the pur-
pose of the provisions of this Act.
Under Section 4-''Every Trustee
before proceeding to act shall qualify
by taking the test oath required by
the Constitution and laws of the
State of Maryland, a certificate OF
which qualification shall be record
ed on the minutes of the proceed
ings of the board of trustees"
Section 5.-"And be it further en-
acted, that the said board of trus-
tees, and their successors are hereby
authorized and empowered to ac-
quire and receive, by purchase, gift
grant, devise or bequest, any and
all property, real, personal or mixed
as well as books and all objects OF
art and virtue, and hold same in
perpetuity for the use of the said
Washington County Free Library
and to sell, dispose of, invest and re-
invest any and all property so re-
ceived by them, as in their judgment
may best serve the interest and well
fare of said free library"
Mr.. Mealey died in 1911. He may
be presumed to have known well
the above provisions of the charter
! His will, recorded in Liber L Folio
As in the Register of Wills office, con-