The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-07-08

One Of the finest of the many excellent
features in the proposed new city charter is
that which provides for free public library,
contemplating. as it does, spacious and
convenient free reading-room in connection
Herewith, and, under prescribed contin-
gencies, an industrial school for instruction
in selected branches of technical knowledge.
This feature of the charter will commend
itself to all classes of citizens, and is Of suf-
6cient merit to cover . good many minor
defects. which the critically inclined may
manage to discover in other portions of the
charter.
At the same or about the same cost moth
ing can be devised which will add to the at
tractiveness of the city more than will a rea-
rary. Provision on liberal scale for such
an institution gives high assurance that
broad and refined views prevail in the COM
munity and indicates an encouraging sense
of stability. Nothing of like or approx
mate cost can add so much to the attract
rveness of the city for the cultivated home
seeking classes whom it is most desirable to
attract.
And the provisions of the charter on
this point are in keeping with the high
reputation which Seattle enjoys in other
respects. II would not be in keeping with
that reputation to undertake anything in
this line on a parsimonious or mediocre
scale. This is, of course, the unanimous
sentiment of our people. The trainers of
the charter have comprehended this senti-
ment. and have handsomely responded to
it in the chapter on public library, which
was published at length in last Sundays
edition of this paper.
Conditioned on the acquisition of a GEN.
trail and eligible site. of not less value than
$4,000. which it is assumed one or more
public-spirited citizens will donate or con-
tribute the means to purchase. bonds are to
be issued. payable in twentyyears, to be sold
for not less than their par value. the pro-
:eeds to be applied: Sixty per cent. for the
erection of library building and 40 per
cent. in the purchase of library and mu-
scum. 1t is understood that the total
amount OF the loan 60 be proposed for
.hese purposes will be $3.50, 900, with $780,
900 for building purposes and 500, 900 for
library. museum, furniture and fixtures.
Under the provisions of the chapter a
portion of the building may-and it doubt
Iess will be-leased for commercial pur-
poses. which in view Of the central location
and quality OF the structure will unoues-
aonably yield handsome revenue to aid
m the maintenance of this institution, its
improvements or the liquidation of the debt.
In addition to these resources. and to such
gifts, devises and requests as may be de-
vised from other sources, twenty per cent
of the city's receipts from license tax will
be devoted to the maintenan ce and i'm.
provement of the library.
The provision for gifts. requests, etc.
opens the way to utilization of the move
ment HERETOFORE made by the ladies of Sc
attic, having for its object the establish
ment Of such an institution. 1t
would be eminently proper to
incorporate that movement into
the scheme proposed in the
new charter, and in just proportion to in
Guide its public-spirited projectors in the
management of the library provided for in
the charter. Ii would be a graceless re-
Spouse 70 their energy and zeal in the cisy's
behalf to do otherwise. and il would be
bad policy and poor economy to divide the
funds between the two institutions. Ii is
understood that Mr.. Yesler will consent to
transfer OF the property donated last year
for library purposes to the city under the
proposed plan.
From all of these sources Seattle will OBJ
tain structure and an institution of edu-