Morning journal and courier., 1885-05-16
FREE LIBRARY CoMMITTEE.
The Opinions of Prominent Citizens
 in Regard to the Matter.

The Opinions of Prominent Citizens 1n Regard to the Matter. The city commi tee to consider the memo rial of citizens regarding free public libra " held another meeting in the Mayors office last evening, Alderman States presid ing. There were present of the memorial
 ists Professor Hoppin, Professor s. E. Bald win, Mr. Van Name, librarian of Yale col
 lege, Captain Charles H. Townshend, Joel A Sperry and Wilbur F. Day.
 Professor Baldwin in addressing the com mittee referred to the offer of the Young Mems Institute to turn over to the city thei1 library, building and income as liberal offer. He said that the Maret fund would
 if free library was started, at some time be- come available to the city and would realize an income of about S12, ,0O0 If the institute
 could be prevailed upon to make thei1
 offer to the city internationally then
 the State House library could perhaps
 be added He thought it would be unwise to establish library anywhere else than at
 the State House, as that building can be ob- tained free of rent If they had to hire g suitable building it would cost several thou sand dollars year. He did not think the city should be taxed over $3, 900 or $4, 900 8 year for the library, with all the extraordi-
 nary expenses in view for West river sewer and other improvements that the taxpayers will be called upon to meet.
 Professor Hoppin said: My own prefer ences as a memorialist have been in favor of the State House for library; but since the offer of the Young Mems Institute my views have somewhat changed. I wish we might obtain this very liberal offer of the Institute. am not sure but that for the present the rooms of the Institute would be sufficient. Still think we should look forward to some thing better in the future. The rooms of the Institute are central, and for the present I should be willing to begin on that foundation: beg pardon for differing with my friend Mir. Baldwin in his view that the offer of the In stitute is not available. think some plan should be adopted at once and we should not let the present opportunity go by.
 Wilbur F. Day said:, think it right for the city to spend any reasonable amount for free public library. I think the offer of the Institute should receive serious considera- ton and would favor the Common Council taking action at once. 1 would be in favor of the city paying $6, 900 per annum for the purchase of books or as high $10,000 or $12, 600 if necessary, as l believe 1t would be money we'll invested. would be more hbe- ral probably than Professor Baldwin, who is more conservative than I am. I sincerely hope that the present Court of Common Council will before it goes out of existence have the high honor of establishing a free public library.
 Captain Townshend thought the State House just the place to start free library and if the Young Mems Institute want to join in why it is all right. I should like to see the two interests come together on this basis if possible. I should be in favor o the city appropriating annually from $3, ,O0i to $5, 900 and I think that is enough. don think this scheme of the Young Mems In stitute should be allowed to clog the wheel of g free library.
 To question by Councilman Mansfield I Professor Baldwin said he thought the Stats House preferable location to that of tn Young Mems Institute.