San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-09-30
Address

of Rev. j. B. French at meeting to take
into consideration the establishment OF
Public Library in San Marcos:
Fello,o. Citizens. are informed that
on the night of the 9th inst, meeting Of
citizens was held ut the Presbyterian church
to consider the advisability and feasibility
of establishing Public Library and Read
ing Room, and that after full and free dis
cussion, society was organized, with full
set of officers and Board of Directors, for
the purpose of fostering said enterprise.
Now. this much has been accomplished and
il remains to be seen whether the good peo-
pie of San Marcos will favor the move and
render that assistance, both by influence
and by money, which is needed to insure
success
Let us reflect on some of the reasons
which ought to commend, to every inteili-
gent and good citizen, the value of Public
Library and Reading Room to our COM
munity: .
I. We have here a large number of
Young men who, after the long tedious
hours devoted to business, feel the need OF
some quiet, comfortable retreat, where they
can spend their time in profitable reading.
Besides strangers are constantly coming and
going aud we ought to have place, free
| from evil, where they too can spend spare
time pleasantly and to advantage. Now, q
Public Library and Reading Room properly
conducted will stford the very thing needed.
| 2. 1t is notable fact that an institution
of the above character, like churches and
schools, will always be a standing monu-
ment to the moral and intellectual culture
of a people, and what stronger inducements
can be offered for the better classes to i'm
| migrate.
8. 1t is chiefly through books that we
enjoy intercourse with superior minds, and
these invaluable means of communication
are, by Public Library, put within reach
of ALL Books, good books, give to all who
will faithfully use them the society, the
spiritual presence of the best and greatest
men of our race.
Who can estimate the value of library OF
choice literature to the one who will use 1t.
IL is there that he can read the Sacred Writ
ers and learn truths able to make him Wise
unto salvation, there he may listen to the
song of Paradise lost and reganed from the
old blind poet; there Shakespeare will open
to him the worlds of imagination and the
workings of the human heart, and there
Franklin will enrich him with his practical
wisdom, With q Public Library at his
j,
intellectual companionship or the advan-
tages of self-cuture. 1t is hardly necessary
10 proceed further on o subject which it
seems to me all ought to agree, viz: The
advlsabiiiy of having Public Library and
Reading Room. ,.,..
Just word concerning its practicability.
In the first place it will be necessary to Sc
cure suitable room and fit it up comforta-
bly,, aud this can be done ut small expense.
The furniture needed for the first year, at
least, would not cost over $50 or 1916. The
secular and religious papers on file would
cost but trihe, for as is usually the case,
large percent are contributed gratis 10
form the neuclus of library gentlemen
have already offered to donate number OF
valuable books, and who knows but that in
few years we will have hundreds of vol
umes comprising the choicest literature ex-
tant. The main expense, and believe one
that will be found indispensibly necessary,
is the employment of young man or lady
as the case may be, whose duty it shall be
to take charge of all property belonging to
the society and protect the same from in
Jury, to collect oil Dues etc. Iu fact de-
vote his entire time exercising proper sup
ervision over the Library and Reading room
and looking after the general interests OF
the society. Such young man would have
to receive salary of from $35 to $40 per
month Perhaps am going into details
that properly belong to the Board of Direct
ors, but 1 have done so in order to approx
innate the current expenses. Sixty mem
bers at 81 per month would furnish revc-
nue. sufficient to make the Library and
Reading Room success. In the event we
get more than that the dues could be pro-
portionally reduced.
Citizens of San Marcos won't you take
hold of the enterpriseP
JUNIUs B. FRENCH,
President.
A meeting will be held in the Count
House. Monday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 p. m. Let
us have large attendance.
The San Marcos came down booming on |