Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-16
Mr.. CARNEGIE'S GIFT.
Bumbalo Thinks the Taxation Pro-
Yiso Will Ruin the Library.
CONSTITUTIONALITY QUESTIONED.
Endowment the Only Way to Make Such
Institutions Permanent.
THE NEED OF A POLYTECHNIC SCHOOL
WRITTEN FOR THE DrsPArcH.I

fer to Pittsburg Of library or a series of
Libraries to cost 81, 900, 900 or more, in which
to keep books of every class, so that the im-
pecun1ous may feast their mental appetites,
and, like Mark TapIey, "come out strong"
In all o. the sciences and arts treated on in
the multitudinous books to be found in well
assorted Libraries.
The general public at once goes mad and
takes no thought of anything but the grand
buildings which are to be built up in the
city. Everybody is a committee to select
sites for these buildings, and the locations
recommended indicates a larger degree of
mental alteration than was thought possi-
BILE. The whole female population seems
to be excited on the subject, and. as is usual
with them they. don think that this libraryor
system of libraries will cost the taxpa yers a
nice penny before they get through with
them. 1t is now mentioned in connection
with the Libraries that the city or the tax
payers will be required to pay S40,O per
annum for the maintenance OF these luxuri-
GUS buildings. Does it seem possible that
there is any power in the City Councils 10
lay tax on the people to pay the expenses
OF every building which liberal men like
Mr.. Carnegie choose to erect? Does it seem
probable that the Legislature has any right
to say that the people of Pittsburg or any
other people shall be taxed for public
building that is not necessity?
QUESTIONS THE FAIRNESS.
If it were straight-out gift to the city,
the giyer should pay the expenses in addi-
tion to the gift, but as there is a
provision that the people OF Pittsburg
shall pay SAC, 900 per annum for its support,
1t don't look like fair thing, for the poor
man who lives away back in the hills, who
never has time to read, or who would never
read if he had time, or for the man whG
cannot read, that he should be taxed for the
support of a library. So might he as we'll
be taxed for churches and their support and
for the pastors salary.
1t is claimed that this is an educational
matter. 1t is not educational in the strict
sense of the word, for novels are not educa-
tional, and it is well known by librarians
that more than oue-half of the books taken
from library are novels.
Article 8, section of the Constitution saws
that the General Assembly cannot pass local
law. special IN its purposes. Would it not be a
local law, special in its purposes, to assess such
an enormous sum to keep up magnificent
building, or buildings, for the benefit of 4 few
people and the aggrandizement of the city or
individual. The Supreme Court would hardly
approve of any such appropriation of the peo-
ple's money As well might the City Councils
appropriate money to build outright general
college, like Yale or Harvard. and pay the
whole expenses of the same under general tax
alton, under the plea that it is educational in
its character and necessity to the general
public.
THE LESSON OF THE PAST.
District libraries we're established about 1880
for the schools in several Northern States. But
although they had the assistance of State ap-
preparations they generally Succumbed after a
few years of struggling existence. Mercantile
libraries were then started in most of the larger
cities, founded of merchants and their clerks
principally, which were to be sustained by adj
mission or annual fees: but they have nearly all
fallen into decay. They have either become
fosSlliferouS or have died altogether after her.
culean. struggles and many sacrifices by their
more enthusiastic supporters and the fact
stands out in glaring characters that libraries
Those which live the longest have Lhe most
vigorous management, but it is only matter of
time with the best of them.
If Mr.. Carnegie proposes to give a Carnegie
library" building without books or income and
compel every poor or illiterate man in this
city. who eau have no interest in il,
benefit to himself or family IL wouId
be an injustice, which it is very likely the
courts will be called upon to remedy. If Mr..
Carnegie would put less money in the buildings
and endow the institutions with the balance.
the libraries would endure as long as the en-
dowment lasted; otherwise they will soon 60 as
poses other than that intended, within so years
of their dedication, as. tor instance, the ALE
gheny COW pasture, and the many small parks
which have been presented TO PittSburg by lib
have entirely disappeared from the knowledge
Of the people.
A PESSIMISTIC PREDICTION.
The enthusiasm of the time will soon pass,
The buildings will become political plums, and
the charge of them will become pay for political
services. The taxpayer will become tired of the
load ne has to carry. and the very sight of the
libraries will become loathsome and will make
constant discomfort to everybody but the poll
ticians. People will crowd into them for a
while as curiosity seekers, but they will only be
a nine days wonder. The cause is known; the
effect will be excuse for additional taxation and
political jobbery.
In the rosy light of the fine buildings which
are to be added to the city. men are not think
ing Of dangers ahead, but all run like the
boy after the butterfly, until they fall over the
precipice to founder in the ocean, and their
efforts at extrication become hopeless. Some
of our ladies have expressed the wish that Mr..
Carnegie would add large music hall to his
central library, which is very much needed in
this city; but would it not soon be confined to
the edifcation of the 400" and would not the
poor man. or the poorly dressed man. soon get
the cold shoulder from the officials and from
those whom he would rub against in that
music hall2 And would not bis wife or daugh-
ter get the cold shivers from the strong glare
they would receive from the fashionably at
tired females they would come in contact
poorer classes to know or feel that their pres
ence was entirely unnecessary. That would
make it more Of burden to the general TAX
payer than the plain library building and
would throw the poor people into general dis
quiet and unrest.
ENDOwING THE LIBRARY.
II MIR. Carnegie wants to benefit this com.
munity, in which he grew up to manhood and
made his money he would do so in a far more
perpetual way by endowing his buildings That
would call forth paeans of praise perpetualIy
while If the people have to give of their hard
earnings. they will do so grudgingly and with
at the man who brought these ex-
ira taxes upon them. There is no salve that
cures the wounds made by excessive taxation
Many of the best business men and fnanciers
Of the city have expressed the opinion that
what is wanted in Pittsburg far more than
Libraries, Is polytechnic school or an industrial
school for boys The apprentice system has of
ate years, gone out OF existence and a boy
cannot learn his trade as he formerly
,oqld: If Mr. Carnegie or any other
y 100 900 for that purpose a site could be pur-
chased and splendid school building or build
ngs erected which would accommodate 500
BOYS for 500 O0O, ard this would leave the in
crest on SSOOOO0, which at 5 per cent amounts
70 $40, 600 as an endowment which would edu-
;ated hundreds OF our young men every year tO
me very trades which are most common among
IS, and at the same time give them a good solid
in other material branches.
The increasing trade and activity in this city
,all out loudly for educated skill in all
branches of mechanics and of the arts and SCI
ences. Most OF our skilled mechanics are trcm
other cities, and many are from abroad. A
well-known employer brings all of mis- skilled
mechanics from the East and West, and has to.
Tor this market fails him. He cannot get the
man he wants when he wants him, if at ALL in
and consequently he goes away