The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-03-01
Juage o.mpbel, on retiring from the Pres.

meetings OF the board of directors, II was sug-
gested that the president make a report at
the annual meeting, showing the most impor-
tant transactions during his term OF Office.
Acting upon this suggestion l will submit a
short history of the association since its or
ganizalion. II we succeed in establishing
library its first feeble struggles for existence,
though trivial row, win be matters of no lit
tie interest and curiosity in the future. The
meager results of tbs past year are not to be
overlooked, as unworthy place in the his
tory ofthis association. We have an exist
ence as a body polite, and, as such. en-
powered to establish and maintain library,
make contracts, sue and be sued, own prop
erty, etc, by virtue of a charter, issued from
the Office OF the Secretary of State, and dated
February 3. 1876. The charter shows that
the corporators and selfconstituted directors
tor The first year were the following named
brqne, NJ. w. Levy, w. 4. Stanley. John p.
Harsen, Fred Schattner, J. VI. Atwood. Frank
Fisher, Charles G. Furley, IL. G.. Ruggles,
George E. Harris and W. Z. Campbell. The
first meeting OF the board OF directors was
held February 18th, when officers were elect
ed. and the purposes and prospects OF the as
ISOLATION discussed. Several meetings were
held before a set of bylaws were adopted. In
the meantime the friends Of the enterprise
were quietly working it up among the people.
Three public lectures under the auspices OF
the association have been delivered during
the year. "Mound Builders by j. E. Cope
land: american Morals" by John Z.
Church; cold Shoes" by ID. c. Haskell. The
association is under obligations 10 these gen.
tlemen The bylaws require a payment
from members of an admission fee of three
dollars and three dollars annual dues. Sew
enty-six members have been enrolled and
more are intending to join as soon as the
thing is an assured success. The organiza-
ton and growth OF the association has thus
TAR been an experiment. The board of direc-
tors have prudentiy RETAINED from adopting
any permanent plan of operations, have M
CURED no debts. and expended no funds ex-
cept such as were necessary to complete the
organization. The responsibility for the fu-
ture is east where it properly belongs, upon
the board OF directors to be elected this even
ing. An effort is being made tc procure from
the city an appropriation to aid in the cree
ton OF a building TO be used as library and
reading room. bill has been introduced
into the State Senate to legallze the appropri-
alton. Ii we should be so fortunate as to get
the appropriation asked for it will be the duty
eff the association to devise a plan for the
building and see that suitable structure is
erected. Such building would be a perma-
nent home, and insure the future lie of the
1t could be so arranged that
there would be several rooms, and at the
same time susceptible of being thrown into
one room when needed for public lectures.
The work of the association requires the
exercise of patience and perseverance IN the
highest degree. We should not undertake to
do too much. aud should keep out of debt. |
congratulate you upon your success thus far
in yeur efforts TO found an institution which
cannot fail TO prove one OF the greatest of
blessings not only to its members, but to the
community at large; not only in the immedi-
ate future, but for all time to come. In re-
tirlng from the presidency l can DO my sue
cessor no greater kindness thar to bespeak
for him the same courtesy and consideration
" hich | have received from the board OF di-
know not what undeserved hon
ors may be in store for me, but none will be
the source OF higher qualification tn an the first
presidency OF the Wichita Library Assocla-
lion w. p. CAMPBELL.
Wichita, Kansas, February I. 1877.
AT the conclusion OF the reading of the re-
ports the following officers were elected for
the ensuing year:
W F. Campbell. President.
G. F. Hargis, Vice President.
&. A. Walker, Secretary.
J. Z. Harsen, Tr, asurer.
il. ". Lewis. TIu.tses.
d. A. Mitchell,
At The railroad meeting which was held al
Eagle Hal! on Tuesday night, the Goth ult.,
number OF speeches were made, after which
he following resolutions were adopted:
Resolred, That committee OF three be ap-
pointed by this meeting to correspond with
he representative business men and capital
,ts of the counties of Butler, Greenwood,
y ooGson and Allen, for the purpose Of having
delegates appointed TO a convention to be he Id
t some point, to be hereafter agreed upon.
With the intent TO organize consolidated
abroad company which shall represent the
interest OF each county in the extension of
he Fort Scott & Humboldt railway from Fort
scott to the city of Wichita.
Rsso7sed. That in submitting to the legal vo-
ers OF Sedgwick county all propositions to
tote county bonds in aid of the construction
# a railway or railways in said county, they
hall be drawn or worded so as afford the
greatest practieabls, aud so far as possible,
EQUAL railway facilities TO all parts of the
county, aud that the proceeding BIS furnished
~ the Secretary TO the city papers fer publ
,ation.
We take It that the sense of the meeting as
expressed. was opposed to any railroad prop
,sition, or at least anything that looked ike
business. for they unhesitatingly voted down
he following resolutions offered by Mr..
Emmert
ResoypeI. That a committee OF three be APP
pointed by the chairman, whose duty it shal!
be to prepare charter for company with
view to the construction of a railroad from
Wichita to the eastern line Of the county OF
sedgwick in the general direction of Hum
boldt. Kansas.
Rssolcea, That further committee OF three
be appoIntei by the chairman, whose duty 1t
shall be to prepare a charter for company
with a view to the con struetion of railroad
from Wichita TO the western line of sedswick
in the general direction OF Medicine
Lodge, Kansas.
Rssoloed, That the committees provided for
1v the foregoing resolutions, be and are here
BY instructed to report said charters for the
action of a meeting in this city, to be called
~ them at the earliest possible date.
s'Behold how good and how pleasant it is
or brethren to dwell together in unity" The
interest intbe union meeting is still increas-
ng. The united efforts of the different
Churches is worthy of comment. So far as
my outsider can see, members of all denomi-
nations feel equally at home in the meetings
hat are being held in the Methodist church |
The question of religion seems to be the all |
lbsorbing one at present with large crowd |
hat nightly throng that church. The services |
ire getting exceedingly interesting. More |
on the part of some christians is |
needed VIII there ever be better oppor-
unity for earnestness and work than now? |
cd is among us. Christians. ARE you earnest. |
re you doing what you can tor those aroun |
'ou? viii the Master say, "Wel done thou |
,oo1 and faithful servant" to you? Do you |
ealize the fact that there area large number |
Il perishing souls around you--your neigh
,ors, who, by an exertiou upon YOUR part, |