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1855-12-27 City of Beverly, Massachusetts Public Meeting Minutes Board: Library Trustees Subcommittee: Date: 12/27/1855 Place: Beverly Public Library Board members present: William Endicott, Jr., Charles W. Galloupe, Charles Haddock, and Benjamin O. Peirce Board members absent: Richard P. Waters Others present: Recorder: Benjamin O. Peirce Thursday Evening Dec. 27. Met in the Library room. Messrs. Endicott, Galloupe, Haddock & Peirce were present. Mr. Endicott was appointed Chairman. A communication was received from Mr. Peirce explanatory of his withdrawal from the committee to which he was appointed by resolution of 17th November of which the following is a copy. Beverly December 18th 1855 To the Trustees of the Beverly Public Library Gentn At a meeting of the board of Trustees held on the evening of November 19th the undersigned was appointed on a committee to prepare and propose for the consideration of the Board a list of books such as the committee in consultation with others whose aid they were instructed to procure could recommend as adapted to the purposes of our proposed Library - At this meeting the attention of the board was directed to opinions which the undersigned had before repeatedly expressed with regard to the principles which should govern the Board in making their selection of books as well as to the methods by which those principles could best be applied. Immediately following the discussion of these views (the board at the time apparently in the main concurring with them) the committee was appointed. It seemed under the circumstances by a natural conclusion that the appointment was made with express reference to the carrying out to the views. In fact however a majority of the committee thought otherwise and adopted a mode of selection not in accordance with the plans discussed nor adrm'tting of a direct application of the principles. The undersigned not being able to agree in the action taken by the committee withdrew from all participation in their labor. This much he thinks it necessary to say to the Board in explanation of the nonperformance of duty assigned to him. B. O. Peirce Mr. C. W. Galloupe presented the following report The committee on books have to report, that they are unable to procure the lowest prices at which the entire list can be furnished, as some of the books cannot be obtained at all, and these being many editions of a number of the works, it is impossible to make a list, which can be properly compared. They recommend that the committee on purchases be authorized to purchase upon the best terms they are able such of the works on the list as can be readily obtained together with such late publications as they may deem necessary the sum to be expended in no case to exceed two thousand dollars. Signed C. W. Galloupe Win. Endicott, Jr. Mr. Peirce objected to the report of the committee that they had gone beyond the limits assigned to them & had besides assumed that the list of books had been approved by the Board which was not the fact. Objections overruled and on motion of Dr. Haddock The report of the committee was accepted. On motion of Dr. Haddock Resolved That the committee on purchase of books be authorized to purchase on the most favorable terms such books specified on the catalogue accepted by the Board as they can readily obtain and add such late publications as they may deem proper: the whole cost not to exceed two thousand dollars. Adjourned to Saturday evening next. B. O. Peirce Secy.