The globe-independent. (Hagerstown, Md.) 1943-19??, 1946-08-01
Sale Of Grandfather Clock Justified
Say Library Trustees In Open Letter

~DSNAANJ
knew that he had given, through
the charter, full powers to Library
Trustees to keep these pictures,
books and antiques or to dispose of
them, "as in their judgment may
best serve the interest and welfare
of the said Free Library" It is hard
ly conceivable that Mr.. Mealey, be-
ing the kind of man he was, could
have taken any other attitude. It
seems very strange that there has
not been found anywhere in the
Library records, any statement of the
receipt at the time of delivery of
pictures, books and antiques from
the Mealey Estate. Such statement
and meticulOus catalogue of the
above were certainly to be expect
ed of any institution run on bust
ness like basis and were most Ger
tainly due the donors. There is no
evidence Of any reliable sort to show
what came from Mr.. Mealey and
what from Mr.. Newcomer. The two
grandfather's clocks which the
Library still owns are somewhat
authoritatively said to have come
from Mr. Mealey
The Board of Trustees if fully re-
sponsible for the sale of the one of
the three Grandfather clocks owned
by the Library. They not only
authorized the sale after careful con-
sideration in Board meetings, but
they also authorized and approved
the method of sale. The clock was
appraised before the sale by four dis
interested appraisers and the price
it brought was twice as much as the
average appraisal No definite de-
cisiOn as to the exact use of the funds
received has yet been made, but
they will be used by the Trustees
''as in their judgment may best serve
the interest and welfare of the said
Free Library" The equipment needs
alone of the Library are too numeT-
Gus to state here, but range from
Bookmobile to adding machines.
The Trustees have endeavored to
keep before the public the needs Of
the Library. They deeply appreciate
the intelligent and understanding
support received from both the gov
erning bodies, who are now giving
the Library all they are empowered
to give. The reports of the Library
which are available to anyone in
terested in the institution state
clearly that the Trustees are con-
fronted with weighty problems of
the near future including expansion
of the present building and its
/ facilities. Vital decisions must be
made and it is the deep concern of
the Trustees to see that these de-
ciSionS be wise and for the best
interest and welfare of the Library.
They have given and will con-
tinue to give in their reports, full
credit to Messrs Mealey and New
conner for their wisdom and fore
sight in establishing the Washington
County Free Library. They acknowl-
edge the Indebtedness of the people
of Washington County to these men
and they all feel individually and
collectively that they are best liv-
ing up to the ideals of these men by
endeaVoring to make of the Library
living, growing and expanding in
stitution serving to it's utmost
capacity as library the best inter
est and welfare of this County. No
Library can long exist as living
affair if it does not follow such
program. 1t will simply be buried
in the dust of its own obSolesence
John B. Ferguson, Pres.
c. Merit Campbell, V. P.
/ T. B. Cushwa, Treasurer,
John J. Porter,
R. S. Dillon, Jr.,
DR.. Peregrino Wroth, Jr.,
Rev. Scott R. Wagner.