The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1890-10-02
HODOKEN'S GLORY
A Free Public Library That
Is a Matter of Fact, Not
Of Dispute.
FORMALLY OPENED FOR USE.
Governor Abbett's Speech Of Con-
graduation Many Present at
the Presentation.
FORMALLY OPENED FOR USE.

The free public library of Hoboke was
formally opened to the public yesterday
ana the event celebrated in the evening
at the City Hail by speech making. the
Council Chamber had been draped with
beautiful flag and within the railing
were accommodations for the invited
guests. Shortly after eight o'clock Cow
ernor Albeit arrived and met with an
ovation.
The Council Chamber was well filed
and several ladies occupied seats within
the railing. Among the distinguished
persons present were Governor Albeit,
Mayor Grassman, President Rudolphy,
of the Board of Educ9tion; Trustees
Acker and Reid; Chairman of the Council
Stanton, Councilman Timken, Corporation
Attorney Minturn, Police Commissioners
Utz and Kaufman, DR.. Heller, Superin-
tending Principal Rice, Principal Elston,
of the High School; Superintendent Bar
ringer, of Newark; James Laverty, Li-
Drarian Hatfield and Daniel Donegan-
Mayor Grassman was chosen to preside
Corporation Attorney Minturn on be-
half Of the Library Trustees in neat
speech delivered the library over to the
city. Mayor Grassman on behalf Of the
city accepted it and turned it over to the
people. Governor Albeit was then intro
duced by Mayor Grassman amidst great
applause, the Mayor referring to the Gov
THE GOVERNORS SPEECH.
The Governor said:-'sHoboken has, as
the Mayor stated, warm spot in my
heart. 1t was the first city in this State
in which ] lived; the first honors | ever
received were from this city. and be-
lieve today that the warmest friends
have live in Hoboken- Therefore. when
ever there is an occasion that marks an
advancement. step forward by the peo~
pie of Hoboken, no matter what other en-
gaGements have, Hoboken has the claim
upon me.
II deem the establishment of public
library marked advancement. 1t is not
an ordinary occasion in this State. There
are innumerable churches and school
houses, but am sorry to say there are
very few, public libraries. l hope the
hour will speedily come when this
State will have as high repu-
tation for public libraries as any
State in the Union. / am glad to see the
people in this city take hold and estab-
Iish library. 1t awakens public senti-
ment and is conducive to the intellectual
growth and advancement of the city. And
let me say with reference to H0boken
that its financial condition is splendid, its
public spirit is grand and its gevernnaent
honest and faithful. LAppiause.l
| library has only A. 600 volumes, but will
| say to the superintendent of Newark, who
| is here tonight, that Hoboken with its
| progressive spirit will SOON .s55 able &c
boast of 20, 600 volumes and be on par
| brary will cultivate tntelligencex among
the young and prove something OF which
you may all feel proud.
Superintendent Barringer, of Newark,
and School Trustee Reid also spoke, and
the invited guests then adjourned to the
| Park Hotel, where a banquet was served.
HISTORY OF THE LIBRARY.
| The free library was established under
| the act of the Legislature, passed In 1882
| enabling any city in the State to estab-
lish free public libraries At an
election held in April, 1889,
vote decided to establish a free library.
| and Mayor Grassman appointed Board
OF Trustees. The gentlemen who COM
| prise the Board, we'll know and respected
citizens, are +. w Bender, William VIZ,
| Colonel Edwin A. Stevens, Corporation
| Attorney james E. Minturn, Thomas T.
| Hatfield and David E. Rice. The Board was
/ permanently organized on June IA, 1883,
| and the following officers were elected
chairman, Mayor Grassman; treasurer.
| William Utz; secretary, Thomas Hat
| field. At subsequent meeting the Board
decided to locate the library in the base
| ment of the Second National Bank Build
| ing, at the corner of River street and
| Hudson place. Books were purchased
ana Large odnafa9 num6er ST ST pamph priqpts
citizens ana the Hoboken Ferrymen's
Association donated a number of books.
| The total number of volumes at present.
in the library is 1000. and they comprise
the works of the standard authors. All
of the leading magazines and New York
newspapers are on file and two local
papers, the EUening NelCs. of Hoboken,
and THE JERSEY CITY NEWS.
Messrs. Utz and Hatfield having re-
signed from the Board of Trustees.
Messrs. Ettinger and Hodges were apr
pointed by the Mayor. Mr., Hatfield was
appointed librarian at a handsome sal-
airy. Miss Nina Roster, graduate Of
the High School. is assistant
! librarian. Books can be se-
cured at the library between the
hours of nine q. M and nine P. m. on Sat
urdays and Mondays, and from ten a. m.
till eight p. m. on other days. with the
exception of Sunday. The library will
remain open from nine a. m. to ten P. IN.
daily. On Sunday the reading room will
be open from two D. m. to nine o. N. The
reading room will be free to all persons
over fourteen years of age.