Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-02-10
CLEVELAND LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.
What II Has DOne-Ets Advantages,
Claims, &c.

When it is considered how much has
been done, and is now being done, by that
modest little institution in cur midst known
as the Cleveland Library Association, in
forming correct habits of the youths OF our
eity-of how many of the SONS of our citi-
Gems who in its library aud reading-rooms
have contracted q fondness for intellectual
enjoyment, and have thereby been kept
from places of resort Of more than doubtful
character, and have there laid the founda-
tions for future responsibility. When I say
I consider these things l am led to wonder
that our citizens, heads of families, having
sons and daughters to rear, should display
so much apathy, or indifference, to the well
fare and prosperity of the institution in
question.
Ofall the institutions, of which our citi-
zens can justly be proud, not one is deserv-
ing more their fostering care than this.
There is not one for whose welfare they
should feel more solicitous, and for which
they should be willing to make greater
sacrifices of time and money, and not one
which would be more regretted or missed
were 1t to become extinct because Of that
apathy or indifference of which l have
spoken.
Let each one of our citizens ask himself
the question whether he would not receive,
with profound regret, intelligence that the
Association had ceased to exist, and then,
also, the question whether he may not have
a duty TO perform in its behalf, that it shall
not only be kept alive but that it may be
aided, in some measure, in its mission Of
good, by contributing somewhat towards its
prosperity.
Our growing city, Astounding in wealth,
not behind its sister cities in the intelligence
and refinement of its people who are proud
of its character abroad and emuiOus Tor Is
adornment and general beauty, is yet so
neglectful of its true interests in the mater
Of which 1 speak as to excite the astonish-
ment of other cities, whose peopls have not
been thus unmindfuI Of the solid advant-
ages which spring from such institutions.
Take Buffalo as an example. There the peo-
pie of means, almost as one man, resolved
hat its Library Association should no longer
be engaged, as is Ours, in q struggle for
existence, but that it should have "a local
habitatiOn " as well as q name, and, by sub
ecribing literally, at once placed it upon a
solid foundation by raising for its endow-
ment some $4,000. That institution now
ON Hs anu occupies spacious udllbf anu lfS-
sesses some of the most valuable real es' ate
in that city, and is the pride and glory Of
its city. The came intelligent and Jealous
action has been taken in Detroit, aud Troy.
and soma other places of far less population
and wealth than are possessed by Cleveland.
Now mark the contrast. On u recent &C.
casion the Board Of Managers of the Cleve-
land Association called q meeting Of its
members to take action upon certain mat
ters connected with its welfare. In order
to consider the questions for which the
meeting had been called the presence Of but
fifty members was required and yet, after
ten days notice and other means used 10
obtain a quorum, less than forty appeared,
and, of course, no business could be trans
acted by the meeting.
1t was gratifying on that occasion, now
ever, to see that among those present were
/ here and there some few ofthe early friends
-toundeTs, perhaps-of the Association,
gentlemen of wealth and refinement who
have remained its steadfast supporters, but
the majority were those more recently con-
nected with it. Now there is no doubt that
this state Of things results, in a great degree,
from inadvertance, or torgetfulness on the
part Of those who wish to be counted among
The friends of the Association. But would
they thus neglect or fail to perform duties
having reference to their most trihing bust
ness interests? Does it not indicate that
the interest they feel in the we'll being OF
the Association is SO small that the most
trihing causes are sufficient to put the As
ISOLATION and its claims upon them out of
mind and memory?
When will our people awake TO their true
interest in this matter and take such action
upon it as shall be worthy Of them and Of
our city. X.