Morning journal and courier., 1891-11-02
COMMUNICATIONS.
The Library Exanfnation M

hc To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 The controversy between the Register and Director Hitler of the public library has become amusing and instructive.
 I trust the directors of the public library will exonerate me from interfering when I say have no acquaintance with MT. Hil- Ter and have exchanged no words with the directors upon this matter, but would like to make few comments from an entirely outside "poinr of view"
 The JOURNAL AND COURIER and other observers having decided that "Mr. Hitler has much the best of the argument" as to examination of applicants for library assis- tant, the Register substitutes new ques- tion under the smoke of which it would hide the first. It devotes another leading editorial to ridiculing MT. Hitler for spell ing Eliot with two Us, for failing to credit the quotation, tKnowledge is Power,n to Bacon, for too little knowledge of Greek literature, etc.
 Recalling the original question for g moment it seems to me desirable that it should be ascertained whether an appli- cant for 8 library position has, a knowl edge of books. Many of us in visiting libraries and book stores have been an noyed at lack of such knowledge on the part of attendants. We have sympathized with Laura Hawkins in the ''The Gilded Age" when she says to the puzzled book clerk: "'Taine's Notes on England' are widely known-except by parties who sell it."
 The Register in opening this controversy devoted leading editorial to ridiculing the examination, the position and through very thin veil the directors. It says: ''It is not our desire to ridicule the posi- tion," but it does do so and I think it cruel, for I believe that there are scores, yes, hundreds of refined, intelligent, worthy, but unassuming men and women in this city to-day who occupy no more lucrative or more desirable positions than this. The Register expends nearly a col | umn of wit over two of the questions. MT. Hitler shows that even these served good purpose. But suppose the directors had | among many questions inserted two un- desirable ones, is their well meant attempt | a proper mark for ridiculea Should not | the sting of caustic wit be reserved for the ill-meaning, the offensive and the con- | ceiteda If the Register in it's wisdom l knew better how to do the work of the | directors, why not tell them quietly and kindly and unobstrusively or wait until | UHS DuDlC lOuAo oub tuc hoSlStoE $ AthSss for the position and appointed it in their | stead.
 If any one is so full of wit that he can- not keep it in, there are unfortunately subjects enough for it in this city. Let him begin by assailing the carping dis position to pull down rather than build up which so often has injured New Haven. l Even the Register admits that the di- rectors %intended to conserve the fitness of things" Is the Register doing the same thing in holding up the library di- rectors and their work to the ridicule of the public?
 But instead of withdrawing this un- warranted attack after it has failed, the Register adds insult to injury by incor- rectly saying: GAS MT. Hillar puts him. self forward as an exponent of higher cul- ture in library circles, he should | at least show a greater familiarity with Greek literature than he has," Poor MT. HillerI fine lacks some of the Greek of his antagonist he will be able to make up the balance in facts and truth. But his unrelenting critic says: "A di rector should be above criticism him. self in matters pertaining to literature, and then he shows that Mr. Hitler falls short of this modest requirement by call ing attention to the literary crime of sub stituting the word Knowledge" for "learn ing" in a quotation. How sad that Mir Hitler did not have his book of quotations at his elbow!
 The critic pursues his victim by accus
 ing him of terming the proposition
 Knowledge. is power" an "old Greel
 proverb," instead of crediting it to Bacon
 If the critic will refer to his Bibl,
 Proverbs xxiy, 5 he will find that Bseor
 did not originate the idea, and it is quit