Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-11

ment Of library. 1t is hoped that enough
yearly subscriptions may be obtained to pay
the current expenses, such as newspaper and
periodical subscriptions, rent of rooms, lights
and fuel.
The Executive Committee have obtained a
comfortable room in central locality, and as
soon as the necessary furnishing can he done
it will be opened Tor the reception Of books.
The Literary Committee have already COM
menced securing lecturers for the course of
evening entertainments for the winter Of rs.
The motive Of the corporators and officers
of this Association is the same generous and
philanthropic one that inspired the commune
cations of Y. Y. Z. in the journal last winter
and Friday. They are trying to furnish
what they and all know to be at this time
/ greatly needed. They intend and hope to
furnish refining and improving influence
that will reach the masses of the people, and
especially the young men and women who
are at the formative period of their charac-
tiers, and on whom, before long, will fall the
responsibility of sustaining the dignity, virtue
and morality OF our city.
Augusta is not wanting in wise and coed
men who make her couHses proftable but
| there is dearth of young men of virtue and
promise who will take their places. These
pioneers Of our city's growth and prosperity.
who have won their honors bravely and wear
them worthily, cannot but feel that those who
are coming after them need at the present
time some powerful influence to save them
from the vices SO common, and excite them
to an honorable ambition. This brings us d.
rectly to the question asked by Y. Y. L.,
why the library should not be free? As he
justly says. the members of this Association
can buy books and read them at home, for the
amount required to become life members
ic 10 cd 10 hnx,
books and pay the necessary expenses, and
the membership principle has been adopted
to obtain it. If any person or persons can
be found, and we hope such may be, who will
contribute at once, a sum sufficient to estab-
lish library and have funds enough invested,
to pay expenses, the library will be made
free at once; and it is intended as soon as
funds enough can be secured to insure sue
cess, to make it free to all, under wholesome
regulations.
1t is expected that an ample fund, in time,
can be obtained from public spirited men of
means, in this city, to establish good free
public library; but difficulty was anticipa-
ted in asking for large sums to aid an instir
tuition without visible foundation, and it was
thought best for those NEST directly interest
ed to put in enough, on the membership prin
ciple, to start the institution in fair and at
tractive proportions, and then those who were
asked to contribute largely, would know that
they were giving to promote an established
fact. The suggestion Of Y. Y. Z. made some
time ago, that almost every one can give n
few books, has been remembered, and it is
expected to obtain few books from almost
every citizen Of Augusta. His own generous
offer of books is remembered, and it is hoped
he will have confidence enough in this enter
prize to place them on the shelves of this As
ISOLATION.
A MEMBER.