Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-12-06

| encouragement and success of their examples
The Boston Public Library, starting with a
smaller beginning than that which is now
placed at our disposal, by the cooperation of
| public and private liberallty has achieved q
success so grand as to attract the admiration of
ALL But my attention has been more particu-
| larly called to the instances of our more nearly
co-equal sister cities, New Bedford and New
buryport. The first free public library in the
| world was founded in New Bedford in 1858, by
the appropriation of fifteen hundred dollars
| from the treasury, and the donation to the city
| of the library of local association, numbering
thirty-five hundred volumes. From this point
| it has been enlarged by constant accessions,
until it now contains ten thousand volumes,
and is provided with a spacious building, erect
| ed solely for its use In the same year a SINH
lar library was instituted by the city of New
| buryport upon the endowment of five thousand
| dollars, furnished by the generosity Of single
| individual and this institution also now con-
| tainS ten thousand volumes One of the di-
rectors of the Lyceum and Library Associa-
| ton of our city, who has taken a deep interest
| III the promotion of the object of this commune
cation, Mr.. Higgnson, has placed in my hands
the series of the reports of the directors of both
these institutions of New Bedford and New
buryport; and am sure that, after careful Pc
rusal OF them, any person, however indifferent
portance of public library, would no longer
hesitate as to what should be our pleasure and
our duty in the circumstances now presented
for our consideration. The results stated in
these reports from New Bedford and Newbury-
port, the constantly increasing number of ac-
counts opened with the inhabitants for books,
the progressive demand for addition to the Ii
braries, which has been all the while supplied
by municipal provision and private donations,
furnish for our deliberations the most convinc.
ing arguments and examples. The tone of
these reports is in every instance that of salts
faction, rejoicing, and success. They present
to us most gratifying illustration of the cult
walton and development of Massachusetts cit
izenship in its highest relations
1t will be seen, from the comparisons which
l have made, that by the concurrent liberality
OF Dr. Green and the Lyceum and Library AS
sociation we have it i'll our power to initiate a
free public library, which shall be larger on the
day of its creation than any other city in the
Commonwealth now possesses, only except
ing Boston. Justly, then, may we fellcltate
ourselves and our fellow citizens in view of
the suspicious circumstances surrounding this
contemplated public enterprise. But large as
il will be at its very beginning, and benefcent
as we may reasonably expect it will prove in
its earliest operations, in the natural order of
Its progress, by only moderate appropriations
on the part of the city, and by the private con-
tributions which may be anticipated, it will as
sumo, year by year, still larger proportions, and
at no distant day will become one of the no.
tceable institutions in the state. This is not
the language of prophecy it is the bare
statement of natural growth 1t will become
our duty, then, and the duty of those who
shall succeed us as representatives of the city,
if we accept these donations in tire spirit with
which know them to be proffered, to do it
with full appreciation of the corresponding
liberality on the part of the city which will be
necessary to carry into effect the public de-
sign 1t will be essential that good and suf-
ticient building be provided for the library,
that it be furnished with a librarian, and that
other incidental expenses be assumed. 1t will
be also expected that the city shall make an
nual additions to the library by such appropri-
atoms as the laws Of the state have declaredto
be legal and proper in such cases. The build
ing will cause the only large expenditure which
it will become necessary to incur at one time.
But whenever this shall be undertaken-and
certainly it cannot be long postponed-it is to
be hoped that liberal policy will be adopted,
having IN view the permanent security OF the
library, the future proportions which it will
possess, and ample conveniences for all, of both
sexes, who may resort to it, Whether this can
best be accomplished solely from the treasury,
or by an appeal to our fellow citizens to share
in the work by individual subscription, it is
not for me to pronounce | will only add that
if it is deemed best for the city TO invite pri-
waite liberaty to aid in the erection of the
building, am authorized by DR.. Green to give
assurance that he will contribute the sum of
$500 to the object.
L cannot commit the subject to your deber-
atoms, gentlemen, without adding single
word more. The founder of public library
may justly be regarded as a benefactor of the
state. he is also benetactor of his race; for
he is silent but perpetual dispenser of good.
To have earned place upon this roll of char
acter 1t would have been sufficient for him,
whose brief note appears in the opening Of this
communication, to have done no more than is
there disclosed towards the first design and
foundation of a free library for the city of
Worcester But this is not ALL For more
than quarter of a century it has been his
cherished desire to be able to confer this gift
upon the city Of his nativity. The valuable
collection Of books the title to which he now
proposes to transfer to the city, has been for
many years the constant object of his care.
His affections have been drawn to it and be-
slowed upon it, and have reason to believe
that, Providence permitting, they will follow
it as it passes into the possession of the city,
and that they will not abandon it even there.
A. H. BULLOCK.
In the Board of Aldermen Mr. Lincoln Of
fered the following resolutions, which were
passed and concurred in by the Common
Council -
Whereas a communication has been re-
ceived from his Honor the Mayor laying before
the City Council the proposed donation of
large and valuable Libraries to the city by Dr.
John Green and the Lyceum and Library As.
Resolved, That the City Council have re-
ceived the communication from Dr. Green and
the Lyceum and Library Association with a
grateful and profound sense of the import
ance of the subject, and of the magnitude of
the gifts which are proposed to be conferred
upon the city.
| Resolved, That these several communica-
tons be referred to the joint standing commit
tee on education, with instructions to report
suitable resolutions in recognition of these
| munli1cent endowments, and to recommend
what action the City Council should take in
| the premises and that said committee be re.
| quested to confer with DR.. Green and the Ly-
ceum and Library Association for the purpose
| of learning their views and wishes concerning
the whole matter.
Alderman Thayer, for the building commit
tee on the new engine hause, submitted a re-
| port of their action.
Alderman Messenger, for the committee on
the Worthwhile school house, reported that the
building had been completed, dedicated, and
was now occupied by the school.
1t was ordered, on motion of Alderman
Goddard, that the Commissioner of Highways
| pave the street in front OF j. II. Pierces estate
as soon as his duties allow
VI. AZ. 4