The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-05-30
THE FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY.
ssATrLr. wash.. Nav .. n

SEATTLE, Waeh-. Nay %. 1870
To THE EnIToE: Would you permit q few sug-
gestious concerning the movement for tho or
ssnisation and founding OF q free public
library.
That Q great want for such q library exists
he;c. who can doubt Tha, the ladies and gen.
tlemen engaged In the present movement are
thoroughly qualified and possessed OF sufficient
means To carry OUT successfully the enterprise
none viii doubt. whether Q free literary wo1ld
bsr serve US IS the question II is not our pur-
pose TO crisicise the plans proposed TO bring
into existence the free public library. We trust
that no time Snay be lost in comprising that
end. What We could wish particularly is that
the ground be gone over carefully TO see If al.
that is essential is Included In the present move
mens Our ides OF n library would include
special features for mechanics. where they
could Ind eva rything pertaining TO the trades.
scient fc and Other matters peculiarly in their
own l.ue ss well - the literature OF the world,
etc; place where the sober industrious man.
his sen or daughter. could gather after his toll
is done 70 sfere bis mind, the better 20 ct him or
them for usefulness citizens, parents. hus-
bands or irisnss. History. literature bellies
iettres etc, IN ali their variety alone woaid fail
to inssFue, the eisSs most in want of education
Works upoa the arts have. In all large libraries
more readers among the isboring classes than
any other. such library in seattle is . neces-
ssfy.
The various wants OF our people require Il
now. public library with SUFFICIENT accom-
Escistious TO seat 90 or even 30 al II. tables
would do something toward restraining quite
that number from losterang upon our streets as
they do row FOR want Of place 10 pass their
tine Citizens OF Seattle who lend hama TO
bring this result into being surely are entitled
Ga praise. Nor should ses;sle's public library
be dependent upon any one class for patronage
or support May IL nos he we'll 20 consider
whether q library supported By regular eoasri.
buttons or The payment Of noafHfy dues in
efsases the interest of each member,
A comparison between the Mechanics Insii,
tnie OF san Francisco. and The free Public
library faathor.xed by the state and sustained
BY taxaxlenl. wo1id shos that the erss naraed
ts considers. lne best AMI noss useful It's 400
members pGy mosstAsy % cent? Ia=y are alive
to It's iatef SO. and Tee thar they are part OF
the iass1fuie. In Acua asasasions Of properly Is
OF iasesss, % them. IL contains ire mos va.a-
Ah cciIextion OF passat once sEegilsA an
Amesicanl reports OF aay library GA sae Pac.nr
CAS-, IL has oesn made the repository OF
eopies al every publication issued BY cur own
government. Il Estrattng the progress Il sde Ia
geosoxieal eossi and ocean sa.veyz. etc
etc, al Of which information ls
OF specfas value 10 every class
All tia. tire Mechanics Institute il To san
Frsnessco, . rueiie library Faav. ans should be.
20 Sssst.e VITA the nun.aceas gifs OF property
Already gsxsessed. life memberships and osner
revenues that can be secured. VIC should Be abe
% sss.aes tie home government and sccare sIb-
eras auaAsicrs oi scientific works lroa many
ether xszrcsx
wafls tbs stceatly selected committee of To-
dies are csFeasaisrg among cur citizens to< tAe
purpose OF scouting donaxsoaA uozsd Is y