, 1873-01-02
OUR LIBRARY.
Another Grand Chi
cago Enterprise
Established.
Dedication Of the Free
Library and Read.
ing Room.
The First Day of the New
Year the Appropri- !
ate Occasion. i
Hundreds Of Our Best Citizens
Participate in the.
Ceremony.
Chicago to Become the
Literary Headquar-
ters Of the North
west.
The Old Water Tower Des-
tined to Hold 10000
Volumes Within
the Year.
Addresses by hon. Thomas lIoync,
Mayor bledill, DR.. Ryder, and
Professor FiSko.
Addresses by Hon. Thomas Noyne,
Mayor bledill, DR.. Ryder, and
Professor piSko.
They Predict Grand Things for
the Library.

Tho Froo Library Of tho City Of Chicago, which
WAS yesterday formally opened to tho public, Is
III many respects tho most satisfactory of all tho
gains which layo resulted to Chicago by renson
OF tho IRE, Binco it iB not, as is the cago with
many other things, marrcd by the recollection Of
loss. We have better buildings than those be-
fore tho fire, and still We regret those which
wero destroyed, but no had ITO public, no free
library, and thoro was no Immediate likelihood
OF the foundation Of one. Willing as Our citi-
zons generally arc to aid In advancing acie:tlic
or literary objects, but fow Of thom seemed 10
recognize tho importance Of great public
library, and whom tho first stop was taken it was
in England, and not in Illinois.
PRto1 TO THE FIRE
tho demand for books was partially met by the
library of tho Young Mems Association, and
that Of tho Young Mons Christian Association,
whilo tho Historical Society had large and
valuable collection, though not Of very
general character. But those woro ali swept
away, md there WAS but littlo probability Of
their restoration for long timo to como, so
that, while tho mood OF library WAS asleenly felt
aa oyor, tho city was the only instrumontality
TINT could speedily supply tho want. Immedi-
ato]y after the fire soyeral English authors and
other gentlomon Of prominence determined, in
stead Of aiding Chicago in money or supplies, to
send relief in moro durable form by getting to-
gothor collection Of books which should Boryo
aB tho nucleus of
THE FREE LIBRARY or CHICAGO
books valuable iu themselves, but made spooially
30 by tic autographs Of their writer's. Tho
newH OF this intention WAS recoivcd hero with
great qualification, and, at public meeting hold
Jun. s, nttondod by the host cttizenH, It waB de-
termnod to get through tho Legislature auch d
bill aB would enablo tho city to establish its
library and receive this donation. Tho Mayor
and othor gentlemen gave the matter their
earnest attention; and, finding that bill had
been introduced into the Legislature, carly in
tho year, to enable citics and villages to astab-
lish FREQ libraries, they made that tho basis Of
action, and, aftor undergoing some slight modi-
dcationB, it bocnuo a law.
ACTION OF THE COUNCIL.
Early in April, 1872 tho Common Council, un-
dor tho provisions OF this law, passea an orli-
nance providing for the establishment of . pub
lie library, and a fow days after the Mayor NOM
mated Mesara. Thomas Hoyne, D. L. 6hoysy.
Julius Rosenshal, William Woodard, s. q.
Hayes, Herman Raster, r. r. Quoal, Elliott
Anthony and ]. ". sheahan as tho members Of
tho Board, which organized on tho 23d OF April,
and elected Mr.. Hoyno President.
The ne1t quaatlon which arose was, es to Whero
the books were to be stored. It wna at ono
time suggested that tho 1eneral Government
ehould turn over tho alto Of tho
Post Offco to tho city in exchange for that
portion Of Quincy street which it required for
the now Custom House, but that project war
finally abandoned, and it WAS decided 10 ht up
the tank Of tho old reservofr on Adama Rtteet