, 1881-03-13

The gentlemen who gathered at the Palmer
House Friday night to consider ways and
means of colnmemorating the tenth anniver-
sary Of the great fire recognized the impor-
tant fact that it was the beneyolence of the
world, notthe calamity itself, which deserved
commemoration, In this view Of the case,
the original plan for a pageant aud street.
masquerade was indefensible. It would be
a sorry return for the charity of outsiders to
the poor Of Chicago to waste in sham mag
nificence large sum Of money that might
be applied to better purposes.
The proposed erection of Library build;
ing by public subscription is in all respects y
worthier, fitting, and more dignified project
The Public Library is one Of the first enter
priscs that grew out of the fire. Chicago
never had such library before. By some
sort Of inspired blunder several Of the litcra-
~ people Of England, notably Mr.. Thomas
Hughes. who had been Informed that the city
had formerly possessed such library and
had lost 1t in the fire, undertook to replace it
in part By dint OF much soliciting they col
lected several thousand volumes from the
authors, publishers, and public institutions
Of England. These furnished nucleus for
the library which we now possess. The act
authorizing the establishment of public
library in Chicago and providing for its
maintenance was passed, it should be OBJ
served, utter the fire, and partly in conse-
quence of it. Hence this Institution has a
peculiar relation to the event the tenth ami
versary Of which tits now proposed to ceIe-
brate In a suitablesmanne
The needs of the Library nre very great.
The State law under which it is Incorporated
provided that the taxation to sustain it
should not exceed one-fifth Of mill on the
dollar. In 1872, when this law was passed,
the valuation of property In the city was
S2,s4, ,000, ,0oo, and in the next year it was i'll
creased to S312, ,000, goo. But in 1874 the city
full valuation was changed to the State
third valuation, and under the Township As
SCISSORS it was reduced year BY year until it is
now only S117,000 ,000,- little more than
one-third Of what it was in 1876. Hence the tax
Of one-tifth Of mill, which yielded Sc, 600 in
1873, or would have done so if all the taxes
had been collected, now yields but S23, 900,
which would be the limit Of the annual in
come Of the Library but for back taxes and
the running expenses, provide reinsurance
fund, and keep open the readingroom, to say
nothing Of extending the operation of the
Library. Meanwhile, the Library is slowed
away on the third and fourth floors Of higt-
ly-inflammable business block, where it is con-
stant]y exposed to destruction by fire. The
and climb to it are difficult aud toll
some. The rooms are not large enough.
The ventilation is bad. The light is insufl-
cient- II it were designed to put the Library
where it would be least f1euuented OF used,
it could not be better located than it is with
in the business district Yet inconyenient as
it is, poorly lighted, badly ventilated, and i'll
smelling, it is doing great work. Its rooms
ire thronged, and the three flights of stairs
leading to its sky y-parlors are worn thin by |
The constant climbing of those who visit it. t
The Library Fund is manifest}y insufficient |
% keep up and increase the stock OF books
md papers, to say nothing Of providing a |
proper building for Its occupancy. None Of :