The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1870-12-01
Jones Library Association.

The members and patrons Of the Jones Ii
erary are hereby notified that all books taken
from the Library prior TO November 10th
must be returned at once. This notice is
rendered necessary from the fact that large
number Of the books now in the hands Of
members are long overdue, and the Board Of
Direc tors wish them returned so as to make
an inventory Of the Library
In this connection | wish to say g few words
in regard to the status and prospects Of the
Association. when the enterprise was first
started, everything seemed to indicate that
the time had arrived when such an institution
could be supported and would flourish Our
citizens responded cheerfully and literally,
and coo perated with the Board of Directors
in their efforts 10 secure TO our people the
benefits to be derived from good library and
reading room.
The shelves of the Library were supplied
with the best books on all subjects, and the
stands Of the Reading Room were covered
with all the principal daily papers of our
large cities, and warm and comfortable
room was supplied where all could come and
sip free at the fountains of thought. Bat
there the people stopped. The machine was
set in motion, AID to judge from what follow
Ell, the people seemed to think they at last
had found the long sought for perpetual motion.
They forget that it takes money to buy
wood and light, subscribe for newspapers, pay
a librarian, and defray all the little incidental
expenses, such as covering and rebinding
books. SC.
Owing to the want of funds, the Board
during the past year has allowed nearly all
the subscriptions for newspa pers to expire
things continue, the Reading Room will have
to be discontinued, and the Library kept open
only for the issuing of books to mem ers.
Last summer the Librarian informed the
Board that many Of the members had express
ed determination TO allow their subscrip-
tons to expire unless some more books of
lighter character we're added to the Library
Although the treasury was empty, the
Board at once, their own responsibility,
purchased about seyeuty-fye volumes Of the
AItC1t IiSiiSiiloilo tibh yAslSc. tIElu On the
shelves. What effect had t2 Not particle.
This is anomaly l cannot understand
Here we have an institution the aim Of which
is to elevate thought, to uphold virtue, to fos-
ter all that is good and noble in m IN and
woman, to oppose vice in all its protean
forms and especially to war against that most
seductive and pernici0us enemy Of the domes-
tic circle-the saloon. And yet, our people,
as rule, are moral and religious and be-
lieve desire TO 10 their duties as heads Of
fami>es and good citizens; still, either
through penuriousness (or want of though; will
| say? they win allow an institution which all
acknowledge to be good and worthy Of sup
port to fan to the ground.
o, fellow men, let us remember that vices
are foul weeds which are forever springing
up in our paths and obstructng our ways,
which must be war red against and must b,
constantly uprooted until not vestige re-
main But virtue is fair, delicate bud,
which is planted with care, fostered and
nourished with tender sol ,citude, until at
Length We are glediened with the flower
fome. HESRT 81 Nt I'll d2G1IsAbR45s SRI per.
Sec'y Jones Library Association.