The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-01

Robert Kelly, Gideon F. Thayer,
A. p HALsEY, Treasurer.
4.. GoRHAM d. ABBoTr, Secretary.
The following extracts from the annual report
show something of the progress which the institu-
ton has made a.,~.
Con account of the peculiar circumstances of the
country, the committee, at the commencement of the
year. deferred making any general effort to procure
the funds necessary to the general action Of the So
cietv, and as they have been cautious of mourning
Liabilities beyond actual means Of meeting them the
progress of their measures has been necessarily
slow" Every considerable progress has, however,
been made, In many respects and the hed OF opera
tion before the committee has been opening and ex-
tending especially during the last part Of the year,
in very encouraging manner"
"The School Library, the first great object Of the
friends of this Society, and which has been regarded
from the beginning, as very important department
of their labors has been commenced under favorable
auspices An arrangement has been made with
publishing house (Messrs. Harper & Brothers, for
issuing fifly volumes of uniform size and binding,
ettered as the American School Lbrary" and neatly
put up in case ready for use"
"The Governor Of New York has given the Ii
brary his cordial recommendation and the Secretary
Of State, the Superintendent Of Common Schools
in circular addressed all the districts, has intro
duced the catalogue and plan Of the Library entire
with favorable notice Of the abors and designs OF
the committee"
"a number of the most respectable newspapers
and periodicals in differ parts of the country, have
opened their columns in behalf OF the objects OF the
Society, and warmly recommended the Library
More than srtu thousand copies OF the Prospectus OF
the Library have been circulated In different iorms
throughout the country"
Many of the States, east and west, have already
commenced action in reference 10 the introduction
OF libraries into their common schools. Some nave
made i obligatory BY law to place i,orary ID every
the School Library system will soon become univer-
SAL and each of the $4,000 schools Of our country be
furnished, by law, or the force ofpublic opinion,
with an appropriate Library"
"The Stale of New York has, honorably to her
self, led the way in promoting this most worthy and
patriotic object, by an appropriation by law, from
year year. for the purchase and increase OF Schoo
Libraries for all the districts OF the state. ana u
would seem almost essential to the success and use
fitness Of this plan Tor supplying the schools OF the
nation with free pure and elevatng libraries, that
some such institution as this should undertake the
work of furnishing books, in sufficient quannnses s
and of proper character. Orders have already
been received for about 500 Libraries, or Vo-
lumes" !,
"Seyeral agents have been employed by the Society
during the year past, most OF them with specia ree-
renee to this subject some, to visit the legislatures
of different States officers Of Government, Boards Of
Education and to promote the appointment OF Boards
and Secretaries of Education in States where they do
now exist. One has been engaged IN the western part
of New York. organising county societies TO promote
the interests OF popular education, and the circula-
ton of the Library Public meetings have been
held in most Of the large towns Of Western New York
lin Rochester Canandsigua, Batavia Lockport, bu'.
ialo. Geneva, Albion Waterloo, Auburn, Palmyra and
Lyons &c.) and energetic measures adopted to extend
aud improve the Common School system. rive OF
six county societies have been organised
"The Committee have assurances from every quarter
that the objects and abors of the Society are highly APP
preciated ~
A member of the Executive committee, DR.. Potter
during recent visit to Europe consented 20 aSs N ps
half Of the Society there and took measures that VIII
be Of essential aid in future arrangements TOT cooPe
ration with kindred institutions in England Vanaois
aid NAV be anticipated in procuring books and engraved
plates, suited to prospective operations. lhIougn -
Potter, valuable donation oi books mas oeun ~. ~
Diffusion of Useful Knowledge, and also oons',o.
from AychLishop Whaieiy Of Dublin, Of an entire SO,
If hooks and maps issued by the IRISH National Senoot
Society" u,;,,..
"Repea,ed calls have been made upon the commi..ee'
f tho publication Of the Periodical, they early con-
formulated A Propectus has been prepared, and ar
rangements made as far practicable, to commence ~
whenever the funds, necessary TO command que 'e'a
nv editorial support can be obtained. a.,
an respect to several departments OF operation the
arrangements of the committee have not been COM
neted In fact from the extended nature OF the plans
Of the Society and the class Of minds throughout inc
country whose cooperation Is concerned IN ts
mens all its steps must be taken with great denDe
ton and care The evidence Of deep and interesting
interest in It's objects among OF the highest cnsIs
ter and standing in all parts Of the country, o. mo
most cheering Character and should the efforts o. tho
committee TO secure endowment ior inc - -. ~
in any degree proportional TO the importance ~ i.
ersa.as sasss and bless.
inps upon orr country and mankind long aer ~ zen.
patrons and conductors shall have rested rom 'ne'r
labors" ar.,,,;va e,orro;,tee II
was ,,.,d Thn, the Second Annual Report of the
p ~ r. Directors Of the Society be published IN
,DSae or in part may be deemed advisable by the
Chairman and Secretary, and that inc ed.ors 2, .ho
LII and religious papers, friendly the objects Of tho
Soeie,y be respectfully requested to insert the same IN
,ho;r coInmns GoRHAM ID. Abort,
'''' Sec A. s. D. U. H.
New York, Dec. 18th, lsas. r