Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Part 109

Author: Wilson, Erasmus, 1842-1922; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926. cn
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : H.R. Cornell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1192

USA > Pennsylvania > Allegheny County > Pittsburgh > Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania > Part 109

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In January, 1857, the Young Men's Library Association possessed 2,763 volumes. During 1857 seventy-three volumes were added and 1,724 were taken out by subscribers. The library contained at this time twenty-eight daily and weekly newspapers and twenty-five magazines and other periodicals. At this time Felix R. Brunot was president, W. H. Kincaid secretary, and G. J. Townsend treasurer. In 1859 the Mercantile Library Hall Company was in- corporated by an act of March 18th, and was authorized to erect a building for the Young Men's Mercantile and Mechanic Institute of Pittsburg. The leading members of the new organization were George W. Jackson, Thomas M. Howe, James Park, Jr., J. K. Moorhead, W. F. Johnston and Felix R. Brunot. They were empowered to purchase land and to erect thereon the necessary buildings, or to rent land in perpetuity for the purposes designed to be carried into effect by the association. After this the company was known as the Mercantile Library Association or Hall.

In April, 1865, subscriptions to the Library Hall aggregating $73,500 were secured from about 120 subscribers. Among the subscribers were: Ex-Governor

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W. F. Johnston, Thomas M. Howe, Felix R. Brunot, Thomas M. Marshall, William Thaw, James Park, Jr., J. K. Moorhead, George W. Cass, G. W. Hail- man, B. F. Jones, N. Holmes and W. S. Haven. It was stated at the time that this subscription was remarkably large in view of the fact that the above- named men had contributed so liberally and worked so hard here during the previous four years of the war. Their act was spoken of as one of "unexampled generosity." The building was finished in 1869, and the library was duly in- stalled therein. In 1871 the Library Hall Association and the Mercantile Library Association agreed that the latter should control the building upon the payment of the interest upon $180,000 of mortgages, the floating debt, and six per cent. on the stock, and should own the building when the debt was ex- tinguished. Litigation followed, and the case was taken to the Supreme Court, where it was held that the Library Hall Association held the property merely as trustees for the beneficiary owners. Many complications have arisen over the property, and what will be the final result cannot now be foretold. Efforts have recently been made to merge this library with one of the Carnegie branches, but so far without success.

The pride of Pittsburg and Allegheny is their great libraries. The con- struction of both is due to the generosity of Andrew Carnegie. He made his first offer about 1882, but it was not until the newspapers had stirred up the citizens that they began to see wherein they were remiss. In 1890 his offer of $1,000,000 was accepted. He has already given to the Pittsburg branch $1,100,000 and to the Allegheny branch $500,000. In 1895 he gave as an en- dowment fund for the Pittsburg Art Gallery and Museum $1,000,000 additional. The Pittsburg Library Building is a beautiful structure of Romanesque archi- tecture with Italian finishings and ornamentations. It was built of Cleveland gray sandstone and cost $820,000, and is divided into four departments-music, art, science and' library. Music hall has a seating capacity of 2,100. The library proper occupies the principal portion of the building and is designed to shelve 250,000 volumes. So rapid has been the accumulation of books under the management of Edwin E. Anderson, librarian, that about 36,000 volumes are now in the library. The art department comprises three galleries and the de- partment of science has rooms for a museum and for special exhibitions. The gift was given by Mr. Carnegie with a proviso that the city should appropriate a sufficient sum annually to maintain the building. For some time a law con- cerning city appropriations in aid of such projects stood in the way of an ac- ceptance of Mr. Carnegie's proposition. Later the law was amended, and now the city appropriates annually $40,000 for the maintenance of the various depart- ments of the building. The Allegheny Carnegie Library is built in the Norman- Romanesque style, was opened in 1890, and is divided into library, art, and music departments. The capacity of the library is 100,000 volumes; and there have been collected through the energy of William M. Stevenson, librarian, about 35,000 volumes. The city appropriates $20,000 annually for its maintenance. The building cost $300,000. Mr. Carnegie's plan is to provide the leading suburbs with branch libraries and already five are in various stages of com- pletion-at the East End, in Lawrenceville, on the South Side, in Homewood, and in Braddock. The building at Lawrenceville has recently been erected. The Braddock Library cost $250,000, and the Homewood Library, now in process of construction, will cost the same sum. Already the art galleries of Pittsburg and Allegheny are known to the artists of both hemispheres. The prizes that are offered at the annual exhibitions are sufficient to bring to Pitts- burg the work of the best artists of the world, and in the end, if properly man- aged, are certain to place Pittsburg among the leading art centers of the United States. The museum of the Pittsburg Carnegie Library, although as yet com-

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paratively new, contains many rare specimens and furnishes an excellent school for the students of this vicinity to obtain a knowledge of the unusual and curious features of the earth. In addition to these Pittsburg has the library of the Young Men's Christian Association, of the Pittsburg Library Association, of the Pittsburg Medical Association, the German Library and the Law Library. Allegheny has a free Public School and Citizens' Free Library, established in 1865, and comprising about 12,000 volumes. It is supported by taxation. Sev- eral other small libraries are scattered throughout the cities and suburbs.

The soldiers' monument in Allegheny will be found described in the chapter on the Rebellion. In 1872 another in honor of the soldiers was erected in Alle- gheny Cemetery from $2,500 left over from the fund raised for the Allegheny monument. A monument erected in memory of the women and children killed in the arsenal explosion during the war stands in the same cemetery. The total cost of the fine monument to Mr. E. M. Bigelow, which stands in Schenley Park, represents an outlay, including pedestal and foundation, of $12,746.05. The Hampton Monument was erected in Allegheny in 1871. Humboldt Monument, Allegheny, was erected in 1869 to the memory of Alexander Von Humboldt. A beautiful equestrian statute of George Washington stands on the North Com- mon, Allegheny. Armstrong Monument was erected in honor of Thomas A. Armstrong, a prominent labor advocate, and its cost of $10,000 was raised by subscription.

The passage and enforcement of the Excise Law of 1791 were the case of the Whisky Insurrection of 1794. During the War of 1812 Congress levied a heavy tax on stills, retailers and importers of liquor, and this tax in Allegheny County in one year amounted to $5,210.

The date at which the first temperance society was organized in Allegheny County cannot be given. However, the movement was lukewarm until Feb- ruary, 1830, when, for the first time, the friends of temperance united and un- furled their banner in opposition to the liquor traffic. At that time they met with open and violent opposition from liquor manufacturers and dealers. It was declared by the latter that the temperance people were bent upon depriving them of their source of livelihood; that liquor manufacturing and selling was a legitimate trade; and that the temperance people had no legal right to interfere with them in the transaction of a business not denied them, and, in fact, con- ceded them by the law.

On March 15, 1830, the officers and a number of workmen at the United States Arsenal, together with several citizens of Lawrenceville, met and organized a temperance society, and likewise organized as an adjunct connected with it a saving-fund society, and a constitution was adopted providing for the reception and safe investment of money. Lieutenant Edward Harding was elected presi- dent, George Hurst, Sr., vice-president, Benjamin Moore, Sr., treasurer, and Virgil David secretary. The society immediately went into operation under the state law for saving-fund associations, with twenty-five subscribers, and at the same time elaborated and put into working condition the temperance branch of their organization.

On March 26, 1830, pursuant to a general call, a large meeting of the friends of temperance was held in Pittsburg, on which occasion Rev. Francis Herron presided. At this time there were several temperance societies existing in Alle- gheny County. Among those present on this occasion were R. N. Havens, Rev. J. F. Halsey, John H. Irwin, and at this date a large increase in the mem- bership of the society was secured. During the progress of the meeting it was shown that, in 1829, 129 tavern licenses were granted in the city of Pittsburg and 162 in the remainder of Allegheny County. It was shown that there was one

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saloon for every 123 persons in the county. It was likewise stated that in 1829 a petition, to which were signed 1,116 names, was presented to the grand jury of the Mayor's Court, praying that the number of saloon licenses granted might be decreased. In 1830 it was declared that Pittsburg contained 123 saloons, and 98 more were located in the suburbs. At this time the society issued an earnest appeal to the public against the liquor traffie. R. N. Havens, chairman of the committee of the board of managers, read a strong address on the evils of in- temperance, which was ordered printed and circulated by the meeting. On this occasion, twenty-eight prominent eitizens signed the constitution of the society.

In April, 1832, Charles Shaler was chairman of an important county tem- perance meeting held here, and Walter Forward was president of the Pittsburg City Temperance Society. The latter organization was effected April 26, 1832. Robert Christy was chosen secretary, and Ross Wilkins, George Selden, J. B. MeFadden, Moses Atwood, R. W. Poindexter, Edward Hale and L. Packard, executive committee. The City Society was organized as an adjunct of the County Temperance Society. The most famous temperance organization in the county at this time was in Lawrenceville. It met in the basement of St. John's church, and about this time Robert Wallace was president and Alfred Beckley secretary. Lawrenceville was the first location in the county to make a con- certed effort against the advancements of intemperance. In fact, it led the county in temperance work. At first the friends of temperance did not go so far as to advocate total abstinence. It required development before that view could be generally adopted. However, in July, 1833, the Pittsburg Total Ab- stinence Society was organized in the Presbyterian church on Smithfield Street. In May, 1834, the Western Pennsylvania Temperanee Convention was held in Pittsburg, which resulted in a large aeeession. of members, and the strengthening of the position taken by the enemies of the liquor traffic. The liquor law of 1834 was found not to answer the desires of its friends and projeetors. The grand jury advised against granting so many licenses and stated that it was reported to them that liquor dealers were in the habit of supplying small boys with one cent's worth of liquor. In March, 1834, they reported a total of 173 saloons in the city and advised an increase in the license. On the 4th of July, 1835, the first public celebration held by the temperanee people in Allegheny County was held at Pittsburg, and it was remarked that "not a drink but water could be obtained upon the ground." It was at this time that Thaddeus Stevens, the father of the school law and the friend of temperance, addressed the citizens of Allegheny County upon invitation.

By 1836 the temperance societies throughout the county were many in number and well organized. A county convention of the societies was held on May 24th, on which occasion the Allegheny County Society was represented by Thomas Fairman, D. H. Riddle and Rev. J. T. Pressly, D. D .; the Allegheny Society by Rev. E. P. Swift; the Western Theological Society by L. G. Olmstead and James Shaw; the Young Men's Society by H. Newcomb; the Sabbath- school Society by William McCombs; the Associate Reformed Society by Rev. Dr. Pressly and H. Nixon; Birmingham Society by Samuel Hare; Methodist Episcopal Society by John McGill; the Mechanics' Society by Thomas H. Patton, Thomas McKee, and James Watt; Pittsburg Total Abstinence Society by Rev. Mr. Bryan; the Reformed Presbyterian Society by John Alexander, T. L. McMillan, and Gabriel Adams; the County Society of Colored People by Messrs. Lewis, Woodson, and others; East Liberty Society by T. McCleary, H. W. Lang, Rev. W. B. McIlwaine and F. G. Bailey, and other societies. At this conven- tion it was recommended for all temperance societies of the county to adopt the principle of total abstinence; to place a temperance almanac in every house; to oppose the buying and selling as well as the manufacture of all ardent spirits,

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owing to the fact that the traffic was not neutral, and, therefore, could not be safely permitted; to petition the Legislature for the passage of an act prohibiting the manufacture and sale of liquor. Several thousands of people attended this convention, and even representatives from societics in other counties were present to take part in the procecdings. A temperance hotel was conducted at this time by Mrs. Lusher.

In May, 1837, another immense convention of the friends of temperance was held in Pittsburg, on which occasion all societies were required to adopt the clause concerning total abstinence. At this time the following committee was appointed to request the mayor to call a meeting for the purpose of considering the evils of intemperance, and the best way to suppress tippling houses: A. M. Bryan, T. J. Bigham, John Irvin, Alfred Nevin, John Dickson, M. F. Eaton, Robert Wray, Robert Dunlap, William Petit, H. Parry and John D. Baird. In January, 1838, the temperance people prepared a memorial, signed by many hundreds, praying the City Councils to decrease the number of tavern licenses, and adopt measures for their better control. The fight continued. The liquor clement was determined that their business should not be interfered with. The temperance people declared that the business was immoral, unchristian-like, and dangerous to the welfare of society, and, like any other business possessing those injurious qualities, must give placc to higher principles and purer laws.

In 1841 the greatest temperance revival in the history of the county up to that time occurred. It was inaugurated by the Baltimore temperance re- formers-reformed drunkards, who were then traveling through the country for the purpose of organizing and strengthening temperance organizations. The churches in which the meetings were held could not hold half the crowds which assembled. In less than one week 400 persons signed thcir ironclad pledge. Mr. Vickers, one of them, said to liquor drinkers, "You must join us, or we will run over you." This community had never before been so thoroughly aroused on the subject of intemperance. All the leading men of the vicinity not only attended the meetings, but signed the pledge, and otherwise gave their influence to encourage the proceedings. It was at this time that the Washing- tonians organized their first society here. They were really an outgrowth of the efforts of the Baltimore reformers. In July, 1841, the Daily American said that the various temperance societies had received in fourteen days an accession of 3,600 members, and that after several weeks only two cases of relapse were known. The paper also stated that previous to this great increase the societies had an aggregate membership of about 1,500. In addition to the above great increase, it was further stated that the Roman Catholic societies had se- cured an increase of 2,500 members, making a grand total temperance mem- bership in this vicinity, by July 10th, of 7,600. The Danville Democrat of July, 184I, said: "Progress of Temperance .- Pittsburg is alive to the temperance reformation, the mayor and several of his officers having signed the pledge. The celebrated Dravo House, one of the largest hotels in the city, has become a temperance house." The president of the first Washingtonian Society was James Reeder; vicc-president, John Williams; recording sccrctary, I. J. Ash- bridge; corresponding secretary, David Boyd; treasurer, Cornelius Kingsland. The society was organized and fully equipped for active work immediately after the departure of the Baltimore reformers, and was modeled after the parent organization in that city. Mr. Harris, in the Gazette of July 27, 1841, said: "All the wards of the city and several of the towns, villages and townships im- mediately around have formed separate societies auxiliary to the general one. About 10,000 of all classes have already joined the several societies in Pittsburg and Allegheny, in the boroughs, and within a circle of five miles around the city, viz .: The Roman Catholic churches, upward of 2,500; have joined the

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societies in the last month, since the arrival of Vickers and Small, 4,000; belong- ing to all the other societies of our cities, villages and churches, 3,500; total, 10,000."

The act of March, 1841, attempted to regulate the sale of liquor by granting licenses in proportion to the amount of sales, but was found to be impracticable. On October 21 and 22, 1841, an immense temperance convention was held here, on which occasion a large procession paraded the streets with flags, banners and mottos. "The procession extended nearly the length of Market Street." The newspapers rejoiced in the success of the temperance cause, and it was announced that a temperance newspaper would soon be established.

In 1846 the famous temperance and reform lecturer, Mrs. Abbie 'Kelly Foster, appeared here, and delivered a course of lectures in Pittsburg and Alle- gheny. She took an extreme position not only on intemperance, but on the great questions then dividing the American people. She sharply criticised the Revolutionary fathers for permitting slavery to secure a foothold in the United States; denounced many of the churches for their doctrines, and, in general, pointed out what reformers of that day considered the faults of the social organism. She drew immense audiences, and the newspapers congratulated the citizens on the fact that she had been permitted to speak without serious inter- ruption, whereas such a thing would not have been permitted five years before. In February, 1846, succeeding the Foster lectures, a large temperance revival occurred, and many members were added to the societies.

In March, 1846, a temperance organization known as the Marthas was established here. At this time a temperance lecture was delivered in the county jail, and twenty-seven signatures were obtained from the topers who had been locked therein. Isaac Harris was one of the most prominent of the temperance workers. He donated hundreds of dollars to the cause, and distributed many thousands of circulars, pamphlets and books at his own expense, and in the end, by his course of philanthropy, wrecked his business establishment. From January I, 1842, to January 1, 1845, he distributed 1,250 copies of the Temper- ance Journal, 103,300 Youth's Temperance Advocates, 3,812 temperance hymn and song books, 1,260 temperance bound books, 4,468 tracts and pamphlets, and 9,100 temperance almanacs. In March, 1846, the temperance organizations of the county were very strong, but the liquor element was alert, persistent and determined.

The old Washingtonians were organized in periods of excitement, and lacked the elements of perpetuity. Therefore, within a short time after a period of temperance revival, they usually relapsed and the societies became extinct. Not so with the regular temperance organizations. With them it was a matter of deliberation and principle, and the older members had enlisted for life. In 1846 the Allegheny Temperance Society appointed a committee to inquire into the nature and tendencies of the Sons of Temperance, a recent temperance society, and a secret organization.

By act of the Legislature, in 1846, the question of licensing was submitted to the voters in 1847. In January; 1847, the Legislature was petitioned by 100 business firms and others, praying for such a change in the license law as would allow wholesale dealers and the principal hotels to deal in liquor. This was opposed with great unanimity by the temperance element here. The cities of Pittsburg and Allegheny and the borough of Manchester gave an aggregate of over 2,000 votes against the sale of liquor. In Allegheny the vote stood 105 for and 619 against. "Sons of Temperance .- There are now about 400 members attached to this order in the two cities. It is still increasing in numbers" (j).

(j) Commercial Journal, July 10, 1846.

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In September, 1848, the Sons of Temperance had increased to immense proportions, and on that date gave a public installation, and participated in a public parade. It was stated by an eyewitness that 3,273 members of that organization were in line, all being handsomely robed in regalias and led by bands of music, and enlivened with banners and mottos. Many organizations from other counties were present on this occasion. The Indiana division cap- tured the prize banner by reason of the most orderly and largest delegation. Birmingham division stood second. One of the most interesting features of the day was the large procession of children, known as Cadets of Temperance. It was related that a half tipsy spectator, who stood clinging to a lamppost, became so interested in them that he made the following proposition to a companion : "Sam-hic -! I say, Sam, let's take all these little fellows into Weaver's and-hic !- treat 'em to all they can drink."

The cause of temperance continued to grow, and many of the, most noted lecturers in the United States visited Pittsburg from time to time. In February, 1851, John B. Gough lectured here on temperance, holding his meetings suc- cessively in schoolhouses and churches in the two cities and surrounding boroughs, and succeeded in securing 1,200 new signers to the pledge. In May, . 1852, he again lectured here for two weeks, and succeeded in securing 3,000 new signatures `to the pledge. Under his fiery appeals, immense crowds assembled, no hall or church being large enough to contain all who struggled to hear him.

In May, 1851, the liquor dealers assembled, and passed the following reso- lutions :

"Resolved, That we hold the opinion that every citizen should be his own guardian in the use of drinks as well as food and raiment. Resolved, That from this time forth we pledge ourselves to a united effort to cast off the insolent spirit of proscription that has obtruded itself into the Court of Quarter Sessions and has dared to dictate the course to be pursued herein by the judges. Resolved, That we will not vote for any candidate for the State Legislature, irrespective of party considerations, unless a written pledge be given to use every honorable effort to repeal the present license laws, and throw the business of selling liquor, as every business should be, free to every citizen. Resolved, That we believe a miserable minority called temperance men should not have the power to act as censors or dictators in this Commonwealth. Resolved, That we are perfectly satis- fied that all and every one of the human family may quit the use of all drinks, even water, if they please, provided we may be let alone in our business as other citizens. Resolved, That we disapprove making our grievances the subject of party action unless compelled to do so by our opponents, a portion of whom, previous to our recent meeting, took the initiatory step in imparting a political character to a temperance movement."

The law of 1847, which submitted the question of licensing to a vote of the people of wards, boroughs and townships, was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Wilson McCandless argued the case before the court. The · temperance people, early in the decade of the fifties, took steps to secure the re- enactment of the law, with the unconstitutional features omitted. The result was the passage of a more stringent license law. The temperance people objected to this law because they wanted no man to sell liquor. The liquor men objected to it because they wanted all men to sell liquor. After 1851, which permitted the issuing of licenses, great pressure was brought to bear upon the local authorities to prevent the issuing of permits. Many retailers openly vio- lated the law. Many suits resulted, and great excitement prevailed throughout the county. The courts were thronged with the friends and enemies of temper- ance, and at times business, in a large measure, was suspended. Petitions and remonstrances poured in upon the authorities, and the question of selling liquor

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Standard history of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, Part 109

Author: Wilson, Erasmus, 1842-1922; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926. cn Publication date: 1898 Publisher: Chicago : H.R. Cornell & Co. Number of Pages: 1192

Author: Wilson, Erasmus, 1842-1922; Goodspeed, Weston Arthur, 1852-1926. cn
Publication date: 1898
Publisher: Chicago : H.R. Cornell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1192