USA > New Jersey > Passaic County > Paterson > Paterson, New Jersey : its advantages for manufacturing and residence: its industries, prominent men, banks, schools, churches, etc. > Part 3
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The year ISSI may be named as the one in which the first action was taken in reference to Public Parks. The first and in fact the only committee, for they served to the end, was appointed to take the matter into consideration : of this committee Mr. Crosby was made chairman. This same year the question of making the Passaic river navi- gable to Paterson appears in the proceedings of the Board. A committee under the chairmanship of Mr. Strange was appointed to take action towards getting an appropriation from Congress for making a preliminary survey of the river. A committee was likewise appointed under the chairmanship of Mr. HI. V. Butler with instructions to have proper action taken to obtain a suitable building which would adequately serve our growing city for post office and other Government needs. Further mention of these three great enterprises will probably claim attention later. Again was the attention of the Board called to the utility of technical education in a city so thoroughly a man- ufacturing one as this : indeed, it occupied the attention of members constantly during the year. Able addresses were delivered by Messrs. Hilton, Fenner and Morris.
The following year, 1882, still found the Board strug- gling with the subject. The committee having this matter in charge, under the chairmanship of Mr. Watts Cooke, presented a very full report. looking to a large effort in this direction : combining a suitable building with rooms for an industrial school, a library and reading rooms. However valuable an institution, such as was here proposed, would have been to the city, it is scarcely needful for me to say that it was not carried out ; but doubtless the seed sown by these efforts have borne fruits and later and in other ways, not in combination but separately, we have the Public Li-
brary, the Reading Room and the Industrial School. This last named, incomplete as it may be, and in its infancy only. was the outcome of the efficient help of this Board, who raised a sum as a supplement to an amount which thereby could be derived from the State and which in cou- nection with the Board of Education, their committee and our committee acting together, have established the first industrial school in this city.
The year 1883 was not marked by such action as calls for special mention. During previous years some consid- erable attention had been given to the unhappy condition of our streets. This year more attention was given to the subject and a special meeting was held in the hope of ex- citing a more lively interest in the attainment of good streets. This meeting was attended by several of our ex- mayors and a number of citizens not members of the Board. All present recognized the importance of the sub- ject under consideration. A wide discussion was indulg- ed in, all agreeing that the time had come for large im- provements. The resolutions of the Board adopted on the occasion, promised an active support so far as the Board could. to those on whom the burden of responsibility would fall, in carrying out a wider system of street improvements, knowing that it meant an expenditure of money. It may here be added that very marked improvements have been made in our streets. Among the subjects which early in the year occupied our attention. was further action looking towards obtaining a public building for United States offi- ces. It is as well to say here for all that this matter was never lost sight of, but was. pressed as well as the circum- stances would permit, until finally a bill was passed ap- propriating $So.ooo for the object and the signature of the President was obtained. We were favored by the active efforts of our representatives in Congress in every stage of the work. An active opposition in the House of Repre- sentatives prevented an adequate sum being appropriated, but there is now every prospect that the sum already set aside for this object will be materially increased and that our wishes in regard to a government building will be speedily realized. A very important action was taken this vear which with the concurrent action of the Board of Al- dermen may be called the turning point in the possibilities of improving our streets. This was a joint delegation, composed of the Street Committee of the Board of Alder- men and a committee appointed by the Board of Trade to visit Governor Abbett and urge upon him the necessity of signing the bill which had been passed for the benefit of Pat- erson, providing that permanent street improvements should be made at the general expense. The result of this joint action was a very kind reception by the Governor and his ultimate signing the bill. Under the provisions of this bill the improvements of late years have been made. Among other subjects which came up during this year was the navigation of the Passaic river to Paterson : the benefits of technical education and the methods of bettering the county roads under the supervision of the Board of Free- holders. In reference to the navigation matter it might be
32
PATERSON, ILLUSTRATED.
well to say that a committee of the Board of Trade of Newark with a committee of this Board, accompanied by Mr. Dorflinger, the engineer, who had previously con- ducted a survey of the river on behalf of the United States government, made a trip over that part of the river which would have to be improved in order to make it navigable. He presented a chart and survey of the river made by him- self and assistants, gave estimates of costs and methods of improvement and freely expressed his opinion as to the large advantages which would accrue to Paterson from a navigable river. Perhaps the most important matter which occupied the attention of the Board this year was that of public parks. Growing out of action previously taken, Mr. Il. B. Crosby presented an exceedingly inter- esting paper on the subject. This meeting was near the end of ISS1. We are now in IS90 but from the time first named to the consummation of the project, there was no time that this park matter was not uppermost in the mind of Mr. Crosby. Time and trouble seems of little consider- ation ; when nearly all doubted, he held to his faith. The growing sentiment of the public was watched ; the careful consideration as to the ways and means which were natur- ally felt by the "City Fathers." who had many responsi- bilities resting on their shoulders and naturally shrank from incurring large indebtedness, were met by the argu- ments as to the need of and the benefits to the people. As we all believe, the right won, the ordinance providing for the purchase of two extensive parks was passed and to Mr. Crosby's great delight he was permitted to hear from the great bell in one of our steeples a "ring out" which but few at that late hour of the night knew the meaning of. It must be named here, because it is to their great honor and far-sightedness, that the newspaper press of the . city gave the aid of their powerful influence in securing this great blessing, so full of promises and health, comfort and pleasure to the dwellers in this hive of industry.
I have now reached a period so recent that it seems scarcely worth while to detail the various actions of the Board. The Delaware, Lackawanna & Western railroad company has at least heeded the appeals of the Board, made repeatedly in past years, and has constructed a spur into the city. By the destruction of Washington Hall building the Board of Trade lost its valuable library, which took many years to accumulate, its furniture and its rec- ords. At present the Board is actively engaged in procur- ing the erection of a fine city hall to meet the growing needs of the city. Very much of the work of the last years has been of the same character as that which has gone before. 1 trust, however, that I may be permitted to say, though I am myself a member of the Board, that in every discussion and in all actions, or attempted actions, the Board has had for its object the weal of the city and its citizens. Never at any time has any action been taken or effort been made which had personal or selfish ends. In public or in charitable efforts the money of its members
has been quite as freely given as that of other citizens. It may be said that it has not done enough, or even all that it could, but it must not be forgotten that the sins of omission are very easily committed, and there is no member of the Board who would not have rejoiced if a greater number and a larger interest and a greater good to our city had been the history of the Board of Trade. Those who have borne the heat and burden of the past will feel greatly the relief which will naturally come from the infusion of new mem- bers and will rejoice the more if these additions shall make the Board more useful.
In this little review of the past 1 have confined myself entirely to the more sober matters of business which have indeed mainly occupied the attention of the Board, but there has also been a lighter side, where the more pressing realities of the work day world have been laid aside and we have indulged in those social gatherings, where. though the main object of the Board was not lost sight of. it was for the time being only an accompaniment to the pleasures of the social season. It is my purpose only to allude to these episodes. The character of them may be found reported, in more or less full degree, in the annual reports.
Shall I stop here or shall I indulge in the saddened thought which comes with remembrance of those who were with us in former years but now "are not?" To the older members come up the names of Barbour and Ryle. the first and second presidents of the Board. Mighty men they were to carry forward whatsoever they deemed worthy of their efforts. With the last of these names comes up the thought of the magnificent gift by his widow of a building for the free public library of this city. May I not name too the clear-headed and reliable Cooke ; the thoughtful investigator, Inglis ; the ever willing and intel- ligent Dale ; the quiet but sturdy of opinion, Hamil ; the ever ready, for work or play, Swinburne? To use the. words of the sacred writer. "What shall I say more, for the time would fail to tell" of those large-spirited men of influence. who have so well acted their part, and left us to. continue the work.
To those whom we shall so gladly welcome among us. hereafter, as fellow-helpers, may we not ask that they think over the work which has been done in the past and of which these lines are only an inadequate memorial, and they determine that whatever may have been done in the. past shall be exceeded in the future? The world is con- stantly widening and the opportunities for doing good to. others ever multiplying. It is only the few who are will- ing to work for man as man ; be a part of that few. Let him consider the problems of life which surround him on every hand. Let him enter into some of the noble enter- prises for the benefaction of the race and do his part towards the improvement of those immediately around him. He will then be a good member of the Board of Trade.
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PUBLIC BUILDINGS, BANKS, BUSINESS HOUSES, &C.
34
ALL THE ILLUSTRATIONS IN THIS VOLUME WERE FURNISHED BY THE PHOTO-ENGRAVING COMPANY, 67-71 FARK PLACE, N. Y
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1235148
0
MASONIC HALL.
36
HEE PUBLI
THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
37
THE CITY ALMS HOUSE.
38
CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER.
-
EASTSIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
39
ST. JOSEPH'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
40
KY
DIVISION ST. REFORMED CHURCH,
BROADWAY REFORMED CHURCH.
41
PHOTO-ENG-CONY
INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER.
INTERIOR OF ST. JOHN'S CATHOLIC CHURCH.
42
PUBLIC SCHOOL NO. 6.
43
PUBLIC SCHOOL NO. 10.
+
44
-
--
PUBLIC SCHOOL NO. 11.
45
PUBLIC SCHOOL NO. 9.
46
PUBLIC SCHOOL NO. 5.
47
PUBLIC SCHOOL NO. 2.
48
CHESTNUT HILL.
49
3100003
PHOTO ENG; GO. V.Y.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK.
50
-- ++
BANK-
SECOND NATIONAL BANK.
51
a
5 +
PATERSON NATIONAL BANK.
52
AR L'AVE CEMETER
ENTRANCE TO CEDAR LAWN CEMETERY.
PHOTO ENVOIE DO RAYS
VIEW IN CEDAR LAWN CEMETERY.
53
ENTRANCE TO LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY.
A PHOTO- ENELONY.
VIEW IN LAUREL GROVE CEMETERY.
54
III MARSHALL &BALL
B.P.O
Nº CỮ
ELKS
FROM JR ARCHITECTS
A
RS.
MARSHY
2216 224
MARSHALL & BALL'S CLOTHING HOUSE.
55
1
1
REALI
ESTATE
REALESTATE
-
DISURANCE
THE BELL BUILDING.
56
PHOTOFENG Ca. NY.
INTERIOR OF THE PATERSON ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY'S WORKS.
57
-
INTERIOR OF THE EDISON ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY'S WORKS.
58
MATTER
OULDINGS SCRIPTION.
104
PET's Sarsa
er's Sarsaparilla
EXTERIOR OF THE PATERSON ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY'S WORKS.
BOA
---
202: FR.
EXTERIOR OF THE EDISON ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY'S WORKS.
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--
--
IN7 1
SWITCHBOARD OF THE PATERSON ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY'S WORKS.
-4
SWITCHBOARD OF THE EDISON ELECTRIC ILLUMINATING COMPANY'S WORKS.
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CURTAINS
SHADES
Furniture
DRAPERY.
BEDDING
Upholstery
Carpetings
SPRING
OIL CLOTHS
BEDS
FEATHERS
Linoleum.
LOCKWOOD BROTHERS' FURNITURE STORE.
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OOD
N
G
P
SHADES.
PAINTS,
ONERITHE JOHN NORWOOD COMPANY.
.PAINTERS SUPPLIES
NIAIJONER
THE JOHN NORWOOD COMPANY'S PAINT STORE.
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181 BOSTON STORE, 183 185 BOSTON STORE. 182
MEYER BROTHERS' DRY GOODS STORE.
EFE
LAN OFFIC
LAS OPHC
THE HOBART-STEVENSON BUILDING.
63
F
TRUNKS
LONG INSTANCE TELEPHONE
PHITIN NHEANE
SWITCHBOARD OF THE NEW YORK & NEW JERSEY TELEPHONE COMPANY.
THE DOREMUS HOMESTEAD,
64
-
PH
NE. CO. N.
GLENWOOD OR RYLE'S PARK.
The Free Public Library.
By Mr. GEORGE WURTS, Editor of The Daily Press.
THE Free Public Library is an institution that the people of Paterson regard with peculiar pride, not only for the benefits which flow from such a fountain of culture and enjoy- ment to all cities fortunate enough to possess one, but because it was the first entirely free public library established in New Jersey. Many attempts had been made in the earlier history of the town and city to found libraries partaking more or less of a public character, with the usual experience in such cases. Being limited in scope, unen- dowed. and depending on ephemeral sources of support, these enterprises one after another flickered out their fee- ble lives. In the year IS84 the Hon. William Prall, then a talented member of the Passaic County Bar, but who has since taken orders in the ministry of the Protestant Epis- copal Church, was a member of the House of Assembly of the New Jersey Legislature. Mr. Prall had long been a zealous advocate of culture among the masses and had lab- ored diligently to lead the minds of his fellow citizens in the direction of the organization of a free public library. The opportunity for which he sought was opened by his position as a member of the Legislature, and he gave much thought and study to an effort to mature a law under which his own city at least-if not all the cities of New Jersey-could become the happy possessor of a library free to all. Others had done good work to the same end, and one of these attempts especially deserves to be remem- bered. In ISS3, a year before Mr. Prall framed his bill, the Hon. P. II. Shields, then a Member of Assembly from this city, had introduced a bill to establish a public library, which was drawn by Mr. William II. Barry, principal of one of our public schools. This bill, though it contemplated making the library a charge on the public treasury, embraced the idea of having it constitute a part of the common school system of the city by putting it under the care of the Board of Education. Hence it was not to be a free public library in the broadest sense. This
bill for some reason failed to become a law, but it merits recognition as a well meant effort to accomplish a benign purpose, and it undoubtedly pioneered the way for the Prall bill of the following year. The latter, as stated by its author, had a three-fold purpose : " To form a perfect and distinct corporation, to tie it to the city and public school system, yet not to place it under municipal author- ity, and to keep the library forever out of the play of party polities." This bill is said to have been different from the law for the formation of public libraries in any other State. In its preparation Mr. Prall received valuable suggestive aid from the lon. John W. Griggs, then State Senator from Passaic County and a devoted and judicious cham- pion of education and public culture. The act as passed was very simple in its terms. It vested the management of the library when created in a board of seven trustees to be appointed by the Mayor, in which the municipal boards should always be represented by the Mayor and Superin- tendent of Public Instruction as members ex-oficio. The actions and responsibility of this Board of Trustees are en- tirely within themselves, subject to no control or dictation from any other source whatever. By the law the Board of Aldermen is required every year to provide in the tax levy for a sum equal to one-third of a mill on every dollar of taxable property, which sum the City Treasurer is re- quired to pay over to the public library trustees on draft of their President. It will be seen that the income thus pro- vided is not only secure, but it must regularly increase with the growth of the city. The act was not to be opera- tive until approved by a majority of all the voters at the first municipal election held after its passage, which was that of the Spring of ISS5. Careful steps were taken to secure the placing of the library option on all the party tickets used, and to arouse public sentiment in support of the project, through the press of the city, which gave its united and cordial aid. The result was that the vote was practically unanimous in acceptance of the law. Thus its somewhat peculiar provisions received a popular sanction
5
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PATERSON, ILLUSTRATED.
so emphatic as to remove all fear of its disturbance in the future. The income of the library the first year was about $7,000, supplemented by some $5,000 raised by subscrip- tions and applied to the purchase of books. Its appro- priation from the city was over $S,ooo the past year. It is entirely safe to say that no money raised for taxes by the citizens of Paterson is paid more cheerfully than that which goes to the support of the Free Public Library. It is also interesting and important to state that the addi- tion of that tax has really not been felt in the smallest degree by any citizen, as it has not been attended by the slightest increase in the tax rate. It is so compara- tively small as to be inappreciable in the bulk of the gen- cral tax levy. It would perhaps not be strictly true to say that the people of Paterson enjoy their public library with- out cost, but it is true that they are none of them conscious of any cost. The money is simply saved from some other purpose which does not need nor miss it. Mr. Prall was very properly made one of the first Board of Trustees and elected its President, an office which he held until his removal from the city. The present Board is composed of the following gentlemen :
George Wurts, term expires. 1891
Robert A. Haley, 1892
Charles Danforth, 66 1893
Elias J. Marsh, M. D., 1894
John H. Hopper,
1895
EX-OFFICIO.
Orestes M. Brands,
Hon. Nathan Barnert, Mayor. Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Following is the organization of the Board :
President, Elias J. Marsh, M. D.
Treasurer, Charles Danforth.
Secretary, Geo. F. Winchester.
Committee on Finance .- Robert A. Haley, Chairman ; John H. Hopper, Hon. Nathan Barnert.
Committee on Library. - John H. Hopper, Chairman; Elias J. Marsh, M. D., Charles Danforth.
Committee on Books .- George Wurts, Chairman; E. J. Marsh, M. D., O. M. Brands.
Librarian .- Geo. F. Winchester.
Assistents .- Eleanor G. Weller, Lizzie P. Scott, Stella Brands, Chas. P. Longwell.
Janitor. - Charles H. Comdell.
The Library is open (except Sundays and legal holidays) from 10 A. M. to S P. M., the hour of closing being ex- tended to 9 P. M. on Saturdays. Any resident of the city over 14 can draw books without charge of any kind and under very liberal rules, which are rarely abused. Non- residents can become users of the library by paying one dollar a year. Teachers of the public schools can draw six books each at one time, upon subjects connected with the studies of the school. Seven days and two weeks are the limits of keeping respective classes of books.
The reading room is free to all persons over 14 during its regular hours, on week days, from 9 A. M. to ro P. M. and on Sundays persons above IS are admitted from 2 P. M. to o P. M. The Library now contains about 13.500 volumes. The reading room receives 23 daily
papers, 63 weekly publications, one tri-weekly, 1 fort- nightly, 53 monthly, 3 quarterly-144 in all. The num- ber of books issued from the Library to be taken home was in the past year ( 1889) nearly 76,000. It has issued as high as 586 in a single day.
For the first five years of its existence the Library was housed in a rented building in Church street. The ele- gant structure in which it is now installed as its perma- nent home, of which a cut is given above, was the gift to the City of Paterson of Mrs. Mary E. Ryle. in loving memory of her father, the late Charles Danforth, it having been the residence of that gentleman and falling to Mrs. Ryle by bequest. The value of the real estate was com- puted at about $50,000 and Mrs. Ryle not content with this magnificent benefaction supplemented it by paying all the expenses incurred in its remodelling and equipment for the uses of the Library, amounting to some $15,000 more. Thus the gift of Mrs. Ryle aggregated about $65.000, the only condition made being that the building itself should be known as the "Danforth Library Buildings," and that a tablet commemorating the name of Charles Danforth should be erected on its walls. This was, indeed, a noble gift to Paterson from this great hearted lady, who is known through the whole city for many liberal but unos- tentatious acts of generosity. It is the first, but it is hoped will be by no means the last, strictly public endowment by a citizen of Paterson for the benefit of its people. The Library has only very recently been removed to its new home, which is fitted up with every adjunct for the com- fort and convenience of the public that such an institution can have. In the handsome entrance tower is a superb il- luminated clock, with two faces, the liberal gift of Mr. William T. Ryle. a son of Mrs. Mary Ryle. In the vesti- bule of the tower stand two statues to which attaches great interest. They are of brown stone and form part of a group representing Tam O'Shanter and his companions, carved many years ago by the sculptor Thom. Two of this group of four statues were lost at sea, while the others were purchased by Mr. Roswell L. Colt. For fifty years they stood in the porch on either side the door of his mansion on " Colt's Hill." and were familiar figures to all the old residents of the city. They were presented to the Library by Mr. Morgan G. Colt and his sister, Mrs. De Grasse B. Fowler, and President Marsh well said in his annual report for ISS9: "This gitt was very highly appreciated by the Trustees both on account of the artistic value of the works and also for their association with the past history of Paterson and with one of its leading citi- zens." Another gift of special value made to the Library during the past year was one of about seven hundred large photographs presented by Mr. John Green. About three years ago Mr. Green retired from business and left Pater- son for a protracted trip around the world. On his jour- ney he gathered photographs representing the scenery, habitations, monuments and customs of the countries and nations which he visited, and on his recent return home had these photographs properly mounted and arranged,
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PATERSON, ILLUSTRATED.
and then he presented them to the Library. They fill fourteen portfolios, and represent views in China, Japan, Australia, India, Egypt, Turkey and the Holy Land. the Azores and Madeira and several states of Europe. This collection of photographs is of very consid- erable value, and will undoubtedly be highly appreciated by the visitors to the Library as soon as it is made availa- ble. The trustees were very glad to receive these gifts of art treasures, as they cherish the hope that they may at no distant day collect many similar objects. and establish a museum and art gallery to add to the attractions and the educational value of the Library. They are especially de-
sirous of collecting and preserving objects and relics that will be interesting from a local point of view.
The number of card holders of the Library is now about 9,000. Its operations have been much hampered by want of room, but now that it is housed in its elegant new quar- ters it is expected that its business will largely increase in all its departments, which have hitherto been constantly taxed to their utmost capacity. In Mr. George F. Win- chester the Board possesses a Librarian whose fitness for the important and responsible post is rare indeed. Cul- tured. experienced, genial and indefatigable. he is clearly " the right man in the right place."
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