The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-25
PUBLICLIBRARY MOVE.
MEETING IN BEH1LF OF THE ES-
T1BLTsHMENT.
Djscussion Of the Subject by Mayor Ely
son, Judge Wexford. Colonel Henderson, Mr.
Uut1Ier. DIR. Landrum and Mr.. Meredith
Action Taken.

Action Taken.
A general meeting was called for last night
at the hall Of the Young Mems Christian As
ISOLATION to discuss the manner in which
public library might be established. The au-
dience was rather small, but highly represen-
tative.
Mr. Thomas Nelson Page, the president OF
the Rosemary Library Association. opened the
meeting by stating the object of the call. and
added that the small number of those present
bore the strongest evidence Of the absolute
necessity of a public library. Many people
! had an idea that il required large pecuniary
output 10 establish library. but that was not
so. and those few present would 0ea suihcieht
force to create public library IN the imme-
datc future.
The meeting had been called under the
name of the Rosemary Library Association,
taken from an institutiOnin the western part
Of the city which. although occupying only
two small rooms at the corner Of Cary and
Reservoir streets had had considerable good
effect in that part of the city. Only recently
a literary club had been started. iiourismAg
condition OF which could only be entertained
| by good library; nj
mond. a city of one hundred thousand inhaol-
! tants. there was no library whatever at the
| disposal Of a man who works between the
hours of O'Clock ia the morning ana 3oclocA
| in the afternoon, outside Of the one IN the
! uoesession Of the Young Mems Christian As
ISOLATION. but al the same time there were
| about 10000 volumes piled up here IN this
| city in the State Library. the rules OF which
were such as 10 make 1t impossible TOR the
| people 10 use them. go
lie understood that the only public library
started within the last ten years IN this city
with over 1000 volumes had been started oy
! the negroes. which al present numbered be-
! tween 1900 and 5000 volumes.
THE MAYORS OPINION.
Mayor Ellyson. who was then introduced by
| Mr. Page. stated that about two years ago;
when asked whaC IN his opinion Richmond
! needed most. he had answered apubhc library
and an art gallery. This city possesses 50
many advantages of a commercial nature that
| il should now turn It's attention 10 the Guilt
/ Walton Of the hearts and minds OF the young
| men and women.
A few years ago he had gone North to be
| come better acquainted with the public
| libraries in that part of the country. Inc
| speaker cited how IN place OF about 5.OOO
| population in New England he had found "A
| well equipped public library, IN which about
nine-tenths of the books were Of historical
| character. while fully 70 per cent. OF all the
! books were of a historic. scientific and literary
nature. and common novels were only IN very
! little demand
In other cities he had made similar observa-
| tions and IT was now his desire 10 see library
| started in this city However. he was not DIS
cOuraged because the beginning was a small
one. and he would be Only too glad 10 coop
crate in any way possible TO achieve the ie-
suit
JUDGE wELLFORD's VIEWS.
Judge Wexford was next introduced by the
chairman. That gentleman stated that II he
| only could impress the audience with the I'M
| pOrtance OF the object IN view he would be
more than gratificd. and he heartily conourred
with everything that Mayor Ellyson had SAID.
! 1t was true that the war was over, but the
effects Of the war We're still upon the people
| of the South. The attention OF the people
! had been called away from literary matters 10
more material ones 10 provide for the lmme-
date wants. Virginia should be made lit
erarv lighthouse in the future, As It had been
in the past political lighthouse.
In looking to the New England States. we
ought 10 be filled with the desire TO stimulate
our children 10 the taking up OF literary
| studies. I'm any town of 1000 population IN
the New England States there are more iaclll-
ties given 10 cultivate the mind than IN tins
! citv 4 library was badly needed here for
the benefit of the population, and 1t was meet
and right 10 make Richmond the literary cen
ire Of the South. The best reason TO estA1-
| lsh library in our midst was
the desire 10 give the young people an OPP
portunty to learn the truthful history of their
| fathers. If such channel was not opened
! the Younger elements would be compelled To
| grow up with only very incomplete intorlna-
ton. The assenblage had III their president
| (Mr Page an illustration of what the South
| had done in the way of contributing TO the
\ Literature Of the country.
COLONEL ANDERsON's IDEAS.
Colonel Archer Anderson testified to the in
/ A l.. s..lff IN la. IN
ment. and expressed his candid opinion
that the city was in urgent need OF public
/ library The State Library was practically
/ closed 10 the public. and no man was here III
position to consult the proper references IN
writing on any scientific question unless he
went rs far as Washington.
1t was the duty Of those present; IN the IN
terest Of humanity and higher education, to
| take the initiatOry steps and form a nucleus
| for public library. and, in time 10 come, no
| doubt, some benevolent friend OF the enter
| prise would come to It's rescue.
Mr.. HUrzLER's THOUGHTS.
Mr.. Charles Hutzler was the next speaker
| He also Wa anxious 10 indicate MS interest IN
/ the enterprise. and advocated speedy action
| 10 secure proper means toward the establish
| ING of a public library. He corrected a state
ment made by a previous speaker that the
only libraries III this city open 10 the public
We're those Of the Young Mems Christian As
ISOLATION and the negroes.
He described how twenty-fOur years ago a
! little band Of boys had congegated, Of whom
! he was one and had started a library with only
| about five dollars. which since then had
| grown 10 200 or 1900 volumes, the property
! Of literary society known as the Jefferson
! Literary Association.
The object 10 be carried out by the estab-
| lishment of public library should be the
/ education of the masses. This was-as eX-
! pressed once by bOy-a thing which very
| few people possessed, and TO accomplish this
object no better plan could be adopted than
10 accumulate good books The principal
motives for the obtaining Of education was
that the world demanded knowledge and 1t
/ was a serious mistake often 10 be found in
| community 10 assume that education was en-
tirely obtained in the schools and col
| leges. In these institutions only the ground
work was laid. and the mind Of man
! did not stop growing when he left the college,
and additional education was obtained by
| the personal OF newspapers. magazines and
| books in the order mentioned. and of which
! books formed the highest grounds. for they
were the stOrehouses of knowledge. history
and culture. and with a proper supply of
books man was always ready 10 speak ON
! any subject. Good books should not only be
kept IN Libraries. but they should also adorn
the parlors and all the other rooms of the
household
DIR. LASDHUM's EXPRESSIONS.
DR.. W. W. Landrum was called upon to
give his views on the subject. and he declared
that the movement just stated was by no
means failure rs could be seen by the effects
already obtained by the Rosemary library