Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-10-31
Union Republican Congressional
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Public Town Libraries.

commended the adoption or some meas
ures for the furtherance of the establish
ment of them in every town of the State
for the better information of the people
and the education of the youth. The
Governor says: ''From a source entitled
to high consideration | have been request
ed to recommend that provision be made
by law for the establishing in every town
in the State public library of suitable and
well selected books for the use of the in
habitants of the town, under proper reg
ulations. would recommend the SUBJ
ject to your candid and thorough con-
sideration.'
In accordance with the Governors
suggestion, the question was referred to
a special committee in both houses for
consideration. The committee of the
Senate, through Senator Reynolds, of
Grand Isle, have reported upon the sub
ject, accompanying it with a bill. The
committee, on investigation, find that
the towns have not availed themselves
of the act passed some years since, pro-
yiding that towns could appropriate
money fop the organization of public Ii
braries, and the fact is also found that
most of the towns in the State are desti-
tute of public library advantages, and
that the people generally are not provid-
ed with suitable books for reading. The
committee remark in the report that Gin
many localities they are not as well sup
piled as the oOnvicts in our prisons and
reform schools; that while it is admitted
that moral and intellectual progress are
essential to the stability and perpetuity
of our institutions, there is a doubt
whether. in these respects, we have not
been suffering a decadence for the past
generation" They suggest that exclusive
newspaper reading, while it stimulates
business enterprise to its utmost extent,
yet it tends to superficial requirements,
and that the moral and intellectual
growth of the people, from this cause,
has not kept pace with our material
prosperity. The committee express the
opinion that a well established public Ii
brary system would be an element of
power to elevate the people and counter
act superficial tendencies more than any
other agency that could be introduced.
The bill reported by the committee
provides for the appropriation of
$150,000 for the establishment of
town libraries throughout the State.
The treasurer is to be authorized to Dor
row on the credit of the State for this
specified purpose and issue bonds of the
State, payable in twenty years from their
date. at rate of interest not exceeding
six per cent per annum. The money
thus raised is to be distributed for the
purpose of establishing public town Ii
braries to the several towns in the State
in the ratio as the population of each
town is 10 the population of the entire
State.
Each town is to be required to provide
q suitable building or room for such Ii
brary, and at town meeting elect a
librarian to serve for one year; any va
cancy to be filled by the selectmen. The
trustees of the State library are to provide
the needful rules, regulations and bylaws
for the management of the libraries by
the librarians, who shall make an annual
report to the State librarian. The State
to report at each session of the
Legislature the condition of the town Ii
braries throughout the State. The trus-
tees are authorized to deposit in the sew
eral town libraries any duplicate vol
nmes in the State library on such terms
as they shall deem for the best interests
of the State. A copy of all public law
journals or documents issued by the
State are to be furnished. and the library
may receive any devise, bequest or do
nation, to be owned or used for the in
crease and maintenance of such town
library. The bill also authorizes any
town to vote money on the grand list for
the maintenance or increase of the town
library before erecting buildings or pro-
curing suitable rooms therefor. The
town shall elect three suitable persons by
ballot, whose duty it shall be to make
selections and purchase books for such
town, with the amount distributed to
said town by the State. \ provision is
made that if any town fails or neglects
to expend the State appropriation for
the purchase of books for public town
library for the space of three months
from the time the act takes effect, that
town shall forfeit all rights to the appro-
priation made to such town, and the
State Treasurer shall draw on the treas
urer of the neglecting town for the
amount appropriated by the State.
This act is to be submitted to popular
vote of the people of the State at the
next annual March meeting, who shall
vote upon their ballots, Library" or
''No Library" and the returns of such
votes are to be made by the several
town clerks to the Secretary of State,
who shall make an official publication
OF the vote; and II majority of the
votes shall be for Library" then the
act shall take effect from and after that
date.
The bin is one of Importance to the
State, and should receive u discussion
and consideration for which ample time
Is provided, as it is to b. submitted 10
the popular vote to determine whether
they desire the measure to be inaugural
ed We have faith in the people, and
II the Legislature win give them an op-
portunity, by the passage of this bill.
their voice viii be heard by large major
titles III It's favor, and are year shall
have elapsed, the ( oundation at least
viii be commenced for good public