Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-01
The Fletcher Free Library.

To the Editor Of the Pree Press and Times;
Speaking of the Free Library, should
like to inquire into the cause OF
its closing. do not wish to nho
fault with the Trustees for the amount OF
money already spent. or which they wish
To spend, or even their manner OF spending
it; brt (l) why they have ions this thing
=. The city can refuse to have pabiic
Free Library but it cannot take this one
ont of their CTrustees) hands This SEN
tence appears to cover. without coneeaiing'
a threat and in palmer terms would pc
q" give US more money or you suAii nos
baSeany free Library !" (2) Are these
vour words, Mr.. Editor. or do they come
from some other source? 1t trG-, - tne
"a 600 70 be entered to the debi, OF - proht
md loss'' as well as the Libraries oi the
Young Mems and Young Mems Christian
Associations ? | say IS 900, because IN re,
ferring to the City Treasure accounts l
find YOUR estimate of expenditures too low
Unon a careful reckoning, and with ms as
sistauce, cannot make 1t less than 80 wv.
| (3) whereas. YOU place six-sevenths oil II
at IS ,O00-or the total at ABOUT 500
- The main outlays IN getting II uhder
way. are made; and it Is trae economy 10
complete the catalogue. and open the LII
brary to the public, at the earil'st day pos
! sihle Where is the necessity oil closing
Tho 7 ;hrarv because the catalogue Is not
cn,nnleted? Can not the use OF the tnding
list he continued How long that day
hall be de'ayed is fer Tie A'dcrnen TO
say" r :. 20
force Il 600 from the Aldermen Tor the
nnrnose of completing the catalogue. ar
quing that az the citizens have tasted OF
the delights of the library they would rath-
or apnropriate this amount than iOrego the
pleasure of its use, think. 1t exhlhit2
denlorable spirit and one unworthy oil the
men who are credited herewith. and VIII
assnredlv have the contrary effect from
that intended. As" love begets love, so
eontsnt,or hege;s contention, al iAtHHH"i ;
and (lN this NOS. Intellectual means OF max
inp mule 20 ia by pushing, pulling or
nsing force in any manner. INC afy anu
hest way out OF the dilemma, th,nA,
would be for some moneyed man TO sho"
his philanthropy and public spirit by pre-
senting ga 600 or 50, 0O0-S5 'ooo wou.d DC
still! better-to tho institution
fOuss, %e-i FAX
/ We understand the Library 70 be closed
because it cannot be kept open without
funds, snd because the Board OF Aldermen
withhold the neeiful money.
?. When Pax" is Little oder
and has seen more Of the WAYS ~ It's
world. be will probably Hot open
4 discussion with an Editor, by ask
ing him whether his leaders are his own OF
" come from some other soarcs." We DO
mt take offence easily, and reply that onl
words arc our oNn, and that cur article
was not inspired fsoE- epF ether source
The sentence quoted is sample ststsHehl
of Obvious facts. We do not suppose to.
Aldermen intend to compel the Trustees IL
return the books bought with the Fletcher
Find. to the donors thereof; but 1t Is tel
erably clear that that would be the final re-
suit Of q persistent Feip@tl on the part o.
the Board to furnish the necessary fund
for the current expense oi The Library
Perhaps " Fax" thinks the Trustees ought
to provide the money to ran the Library
out OF then own potSe'S
,. We called tho cast Of Tehitins the
building S. 600 It smoaut5 20 believe
to something more The Librarian ha'
held his place about Is months. at $500 q
year. These Two items, amounting say Il
So 200. VIC said comprised six seFenths o.
the total outlay We were plainly speak
ing in round numbers We i.l not under
take to furnish brains to eompf5beE4 y,
calculation.
1. If Mr.. Sutton AMI his Associates IN
their foolish raid on the Free Library, are
suited with their champions comparison o
them to mules, We are.
We see nothing more 10 the above som
munication requiring comment.