Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-04-13
A Free Public Library in Augusta.

MY pan LOT puDllc library and reading
room in this city would be to have it FREE TO
EVERY CITIZEN. 1t is the only way in my
opinion in which the ends to be accomplished
can be secured. Circulating and Society
libraries are very well, but they are limited
| in their influence and their benefits can only
be obtained by those able to become members.
l would have the library have suggested, as
free to every tax payer as the air they breathe.
/ would have every citizen and every work
ing man enjoy its advantages by complying
with the simplest regulations possible, and
would have the reading room open at all suit
able hours day and evening to all classes of
people who were clearly and respectable. l
would debar no one from spending an evening
reading its papers or consulting its books.
In order that the library might be estab-
lished would suggest the opening of subscrp-
ton books, for receiving any sum however
large or however small, or pledges for
any number of volumes from the libraries
of those who give, or from any source the
donors might choose. If person could give
one dollar or thousand, one book or hun
dred, or subscription to some periodical or
magazine, l would have all accepted and
made available for the grand purpose. Then
l would have these subscriptions turned over
to the city, and would have the city in its
corporate capacity, go to the extent of the
law, in raising money for the establishment
and maintenance of the library. BY statute
every city or town in the State may appropri-
ate a sum not to exceed one dollar on every
ratable poll for the purpose of founding pub
lie library, and a sum not exceeding twenty
five cents on each poll annually, for its main
tenance. In this city we have sixteen hun
dred polls, this would give 81 900 towards the
foundation of the library, and $500 annually
for its augmentation. Then ! would have
the library managed by Board of Trustees
consisting of the Mayor, two Aldermen, two
Councilmen and two citizens. Who in this
city would object to the above taxation for the
above purpose? Who would object even, to
taxation OF one half mill on a dollar on the
four millions four hundred thousand dollars
worth of taxable property in Augusta for this
same purpose? In what way could the money
be more judiciously expended, or expended in
a way TO secure greater good to all classes Of
our citizens?
feel glad that the views propounded in my
former article have secured the endorsement
of so able a journal as the Maine Farmer
And although l entertain great respect for its
opinions 1 am not led to look with favor upon
the proposed plan of having debates or lee
lures connected with my scheme for free
public library, as suggested by that journal
Ii would be more than could be carried along
successfully. l don't want anything tackled
on to the scheme which would render it too
unweldly or two complicated. Let us aim
only for the free library, first. If possible,
in connection with it, let reading room be
established, where young men could spend
their evenings in rational and profitable
manner. But with the free library, the work
ing man, young or old, could carry books home
for evening reading, he would have less de-
sire to leave home after work hours, his home
life both to himself and his family would be-
ONE happier; and as direct result we should
have more intelligent, industrious commune
ty, the social virtues would be held in higher
repute, home life would become purer and
happier, and there would be lessgambling, less
rum drinking, less billiard playing and fewer
useless, amless lives.
| This plan, if ever carried out, must be ac-
complished through the agency of the young
and middle aged men of our city; | mean
the work necessary to obtain private
subscription sufficient to show to the city
authorities that the people are willing to
give, and willing to be taxed that their
enterprise may succeed. How l wish l
had the money which has been carried
from Augusta the past winter by those who
contributed to gift soirees, concerts, electro
biological lectures, and other cheap entertain
ments-what huge sum it must have been,
and what a grand library could have been
founded with that which has been worse than
thrown away.
deem this subject of great importance, for
daily feel the need Of such means Of edu-
cation as have suggested-and l sincerely
hope it will not be allowed to stop here, Blu,
that others who have the means will help it
along, until the Free Public Library Of Au-
gusta shall exist somewhere besides in the brain
of the writer. Y. w.