The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-20
OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES

OUR PUBLIC LIBRARIES.
NEXT to the public schools, the public libra
ries are entitled to the consideration of our
citizens as o means of education AID oul-
ture, and on account of the potent influences
they exert in the cause of religion, virtue,
and morality. That they do exert such in
fluences cannot be disputed; and the promo
tion of their efficiency and the extension of
their facilities are matters that are of moment
to the entire community, and concern a vast
number besides the comparatively limited
coteries of stockholders and subscribers
great free public library like the noble in
stitution in Boston is what we would desire
to see in this city; but there seems to be no
prospect that the present generation will see
anything of the kind; and it is gratifying to
know that the liberal and Lublic-spirted
manner in which the Philadelphia and Mer-
camille Libraries are conducted does much
towards supplying the place of such an in
stitution.
Both of our great public libraries are now
before the public with measures that will
greatly affect their future welfare, and in
which they are entitled to the support of all
classes who desire to sec their prosperity pro-
moted. The Philadelphia Library Company
has purchased lot at he northwest corner
OF Locust and Juniper streets, as the site of a
new building The lot is one hundred and
ten by two hundred and forty feet, and is
large enough for all the requirements of the
library. The purchase of this site will give
the library the central location that is desired
for it, and it will yet be retired from the noise
and hustle of our crowded thoroughfares,
affording students the quiet and exclusion
that they long for. The purchase of this lot
was judicious measure that ought to prove
satisfactory both to the stockholders and the
public, especially as it will not interfere with
the application of DR.. Rush's bequest to the
erection of the Ridgway Library at Broad and
Christian streets How far the Philadelphia
Library Company will be able to control the
management of the Ridgway Library we
are unable to say, but it is reported that the
purchase of the lot was made with the entire
consent of DR.. Rush's executor, and that an
application will be made to the Legislature
for the Philadelphia Library Company to
accept the Rush bequest and act simply as
trustees of the fund, and to follow out the
conditions of the will by erecting the Ridg-
way Library at Broad and Christian streets.
The Mercantile Library Company has under
consideration two propositions that were
offered at the meeting of the stockholders on
Tuesday last, and which will be brought up
for final consideration at special meeting to
be held about the 1st of February. These
are to keep the library open until IL O'Clock
in the evening, and to open it on Sundays.
This last is q very important measure, that is
deservingof the candid and dispassionate con-
sideration of those who will be called upon
to decide as to its propriety and expediency.
We certainly hope that it will be consented
to by q large majority of the stockholders, as
we honestly believe that it is measure in
the interests of morality and religion. There
will be a decided opposition, doubtless, on
the part of persons who will be unable
to look at the subject but from one point of
view, but we think that great majority of
those who are disposed to object would be
satisfied if the reading-ro rooms of the library
were to be thrown open on Sundays during
the usual hours to all well-behaved persons,
and no books given out or taken in. This
would obviate the necessity for the attendance
of any of the employees of sne library, ex-
cept some person to tsSe care of the rooms
and prevent damage to the property. There
are crowds of young men in this as in every
other largo city who do not know what to do
with themselves on Sunday Even if dis
posed to go to church, but portion of their
time is filed up in that manner, and a great
portion of Sunday is almost Of necessity
passed in that istless ideness that Is one of the
strongest temptations to vice. 1t would, per-
haps, be better If all mon were religiously
disposed, but unfortunately all men are not,
and II is question worthy of consideration
whether of the many thousands who cannot be
tempted to 60 TO church, portion, at least,
cannot be induced to avail themselves Of the
facilities for meatal and moral Improvement