, 1874-06-07

Council will In yicwof such figures, surely becom
satisfied that an annual allowance sinpy by way o o
increase Of tho number Ut books, corresponding tc
tho probable increase Of borrowers Is AZ 1nuch nc
cessity IS TINT Of water according to the number CT
population depending on the city for supply ot Ina
beverage
NO CONTROVERSY IN TIE BOARD.
This Board beg the Common COUNCIL to take notice
that neither inside the prcaent board OF Dsrr.otf
among them individuals. bas there ever e1ls1oa
any controversy about the particular SELECTION Of
books
A certain uewspaper controversy, some weeks ago
arose entirely Of Misrepresentation as to tue v1o'
laton by the Librarian Of rlla OF tic board
first submitted, aud the appropriation o. money IN
all casea, be voted upon by the Board And IL that
case the lists ordered aud number OF othes
sinar works added to increase the list ano the "noio
number ,Sili soon be on our shelves.
1t would If tho public could not have for
gotten tho declarations made ut the opening Of the
haps citation or two in this report may relieve some
nindR sensitive than well informed IN thts con-
tTnc Library Ia to socure'a free to all works
Of the intellect, in all etds Of thought. There
eau be exclusion seclusion Free to every read
er 1t will also bo FREQ to their books Neither nation
atty party, creed take otfenso, because the
shelves ready to receive tho books Of al creuds a
tie Board will enable thon to purchase. Except
works OF positively vicious character, works
should he excluded from library intended for the
property Of the people. Every church, creed phi1os
ophy profession. school may, and doub: In time
will have it's OWL best representatives ahelyes
and any disciple Of each faith aud profession may seek
it, own most eloquent expounders.
at is hoped by tho Board that tho time may come
when on the shelves Of the Chicago Public Library
every scholar nny find whatever work hiss over been
published sGordlnC useful instruction OK harmless
amusement
CONCLUSION,
this Board beg that yuar honorable body will consider
the necessity, which they urge, Of an increase Of the
amount which is proposed, ~ the tax to 10 levied
for the support OF the Library out Of tho tax Of tho
p7i -, rf
1t will bo founl that s25O0o is an inadequate sum
even for payneut Of the auntlal expenses which the
Board has incurred and tho OPENING Of M tho Library
Of 5000 is only reasonable provision. merely to
1neot tho increasing demands OF the psope for books
incrcass in proportion to the demand Of The public
The great importance ~of the Library to the moEal,
literary and scientific progress Of cur city ia already
Of the maximum percentage which it il allcwsd-
one-hfth only OF mill annua1ly-is, even 1t tts
highest. thu cheapest price ever paid for such pub
lie boon this Library.
Comparing it with any other city improvement for
which people taxed how infinitely greater Is it
IN point of advantage! aud, nero moral agency,
how {xr does it exceed all others!
Lord MAcaulay thu. the vicinity Of good libra
~ itself produces perccptible improvement upon
such place, that docs not leave 1t with improved
trims Of feeling thought7 What man is there who
docs not carry from good collection Of books some
moral aid against temptation to follow in the
lower courses Of vice that in al rge cities le2d men
down the depths Of crime and infamy?
The ends Of I'LL government tho protection Of life
and property One way to this end II making
WISER better, and happier The other way Is that OF
punishment. A1acsulAy asks tho question: II the
magistrate should have the right to hung man, and
Yet neglect the means Of preventing the crime and
averting the punishment
It IL IN estimating tile value Of free Libraries
large cities that the people Of England and Other
countries have to estimate their value great
moral and intellectual agencies. The civilization Of
the age demands thcn md as an educational nstttu-
ton, the freq library il more ehcacious, means
Of dimini sting the number OF crimes and criminals,
than all tho bes-dsciplined and bestpaid police agen-
cics Of this State.
The report WAS referred to committee con-
eisting OF the President, and Mossrs. Raster and
Onahan for revision, aud \ few unlmportant
amondations.
NoN-RESIDENTS.
special committee to whom was referred tho
application OF nonresident, for the privileges
OF tho Librnry, reported adversely, but after
somo discussion it WAS decided to lot persons
who live in the suburban towns in Cook County
take out books if they aro indorsed BY guaraptor
who lives in the city.
The Board then adjourned.