Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-04-06

suCCeSSIul libraries nave Deen eStaDIlSucu ana
managed and that it is similar to the plan
adopted by the Augusta Literary and Library
Association.
CO..: =: rs: : cup: ]! ] III ] !; /
| Town or City. oG
Phil adelphia
Library Co,
PhiPa Pa. 1871 $4,000 $4,000 1000 400
Apprentices
Library,
Phipa, Pa. 1921 II 900 900 $500 200
Mercantile &
Mechanics
Institution,
.Pittsb'g, Pa. 1919 1,lss 300 $500 acc
| Mercantile
Library. -
Baltimore Md 1880 Is 900 % 975 5000 500 500
Society Lily,
MercantiI Lib.
Young Mems
Institute,
| Hartford, CT. 1888 lO, 600 20, 755 800
Athenaum, 1890
Cranston Il. l.. 1886 l5,204 29,444 1900
Athenaum,
Salem, Mass 1897 IL 900 l3,45j
| Mechanics
Association,
| Lowell Mass 1926 1851 600
Athenaum,
| hoXD'y Mass 1878 1900 S,0OU 2J.O0 4.UU
Mercantile Lib
Boston Mass 1915 1868 10 SIS ECO
Boston Mass 1874 IL, 15o 1900 25oo
Boston Mass 1907 $4,000 100000 10000 1000
Manufact'rs &
Mechanics .
Library, - 10
Lewiston Me 1861 800 LOO
Public Libr'y,
Portland Me 1866 5000 500
The principal free libraries are the Aston
Library in New York and the Public Library
in Boston, the one established RX the gift of
s40O, 900 from John jacob AsSbr, Esq, the
other by donations from various parties,
Joshua Bates, Esq, giving $4,000. "The
Free Library System, originated in England
and America about twenty years since, and
relies on municipalities for support. The city
of New Bedford, Mass, accepted it, pur-
chased and took control of social library
there and supports free library with gratifying
results, and other towns have done likewise.
From these facts have concluded that if not
perfect our scheme has no glazing faults. and
embodies many of the best features of such
plans as have been successful in securing the
desired results in other places. 1t cannot be
satisfactory to all, and it is to be hoped no
one will occupy the position of the English
member of Parliament, who, when the Free
Library bill was under discussion, declared
that he opposed it because it did not embody
the conditions of success, and admitted he
should still more strongly oppose it if it did
contain them. Such we cannot please, nor
even satisfy fully sincere friends. What then
shall be done?
No man like Astor or Bates proposes to
endow library here, nor our city to estab-
lish and support one as New Bedford and Bos-
ton have done. If made free to ALL donations,
assessments or taxation must fill its shelves
and meet its expenses. Donations will no
doubt be liberal, for already cheering offers
are made, aud books of value have even now
been received; but the new books of the best
writers of to-day must be bought with money.
The man of small property will pay his part
as cheerfully as the more twealthy. Should
not all be held to help in fair proportion at
liberal rates, or can we rely on large dona-
tons of money! We should not despse
the day Of small things, but it is generally
found easier to secure aid for well establish
ed enterprise than to support a new and
struggling one however worthy. AS to as
sessments, i may be said that if it would be
just to assess members for revenue and it was
vigorously done, their number would the next
year be likely to be so small as not to fur
nsh large fund or great promise of futher
growth, and it is certain there is no immed-
ate prospect of library supported by city
scheme and are forced to. believe, while we
would hail, with special qualification, fine,
free public library in Augusta, that we can
not hope for it now, and that we can by the
present system appeal successfully to the men
of business and wealth to assist as life mem
bers in starting this enterprise. To host of
others as annual members, and finally by the
very paltry sum for which books are to be
placed within reach of all, we can supply the
great thirst for reading, secure the aid of the
masses and the warm sympathy of those
whose earnest philanthropy seek library
wholly free. Such an institution is necessity
for our people and commends itself to all. 1t
is started in no selfish interest, looks to no
party or class for aid, but, seeking the good of
all, relies on all for support according to their
ability.
1t certainly would seem that city which could
give half million to have the Kennebec
firmly bound to keep the peace and turn the
W heels of industry patiently, which has
valuation of five millions of dollars within
its borders, reported for assessment to the
Stat e, and large wealth outside, so that sim
gle itizen of the many having large wealth
buys a large and commodious home for aged
indigo nee and places it in perpetual trust for
that pu rpose with as little flourish of trum-
pets as if it was one of the commonest cour-
tcsies of life; located in the heart of this fine
and prod uctive region, midway between the
timber an i slate of the east and the harbors
on the west, with granite under its feet, to
build itself and other cities, the finest in the
world, with the river to float its heavier
freight to til sea, at the same time it is on
the great ce utral highway of State travel by
rail In full connection with the systems of
other States,--would hardly hesitate when an
enterprise like this is presented. Is it too
much to hope that promptly, generously, the
public spirit of the city will respond in this
case and place beyond the possibility of fail
ure and the WEAKNESS of delay an enterprise
of so much importance and of such real
merit?
AUGUSTA, April 5, 1872
At this time the advantages Of railway
communication between Augusta and Wis
casset are strikingly apparent. With a
frozen river and bridge down upon our
only line of communication with the coast,
the movers of heavy freghts are in
ar uncomfortable pOsition II NAV he said