The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1891-01-22
A STATEMENT.


EDIToRs JoURNAL-It was neglect of
duty that during my last summers vaca>
ton after resigning my position in Mariet~
ia did not render some public statement
in the matter ofthe library for boys school.
received thirty five dollars. We open
ed our little library at the beginning of the
term, many of the boys were induced to
read, and from time to time additional
books from donations and purchase we're
placed on the shelves. The following
words are from letters before me from the
two students who acted as librarian:
|. There were almost two hundred vol,
umes In the library, including speech
books, histories, magazines etc"
2. Many OF the books were not returns
ed to the library at the close of the term
3. About half of the books were second
handed, presented to the library; about
halt were new.
a. The library was unlocked daily, and
cared for by US. We sometimes issue 25
volumes per day and kept regular account
of issuances"
| allowed the pupils to use my own
encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other refs
erence books. Among the many books
lost was one volume of my Appletons
Encyclopedia, l6 vols, sheep. The lore.
going covers the essential facts of our eff
forts at a library. Admitting it was a
small beginning and that much of it perish.
ed with the using, believe that good was
done by it far beyond it's cost.
In tins connection permit me to state
that the gymnasium was a constant cost TO
me and IN the aggregate amounted to
much. l also made cash outlay of 1925
tor desks. All the charts, maps, air pumps
ana other apparatus used by US in our
work were bought from my private purse.
In order to accommodate the growth OF the
boys school new room was built. |
canvaSSed the patronage, procured $40 OF
pubic funds, some subscriptions gave $50
cash. which added to the other donations
paid for the building which doubled the
seating and teaching capacity of the Acad-
envy. These with many other expenses
as catalogues, ETC. very cheerfuly met
tor thought they assisted the school in
the steady growth which marked it from
It's enrolment of thirty pupils in January
81 to its one hundred and forty boys in
1890. | mention this outlay of money Sim.
ply because they are expenses not usually
betrayed by teachers, but By Boards Of
Trustees.
cannot close Tho, perhaps my last pub
lie utterance to the people of Marietta
without expressing something of the graf
tltude owe them. The five years of my
lite there were rich with blessings The
klndnesses to my family, the friendships
that grew, the pupils had learned to love
the work in which | was interested. These
and other consideration, made it difficult
indeed to offer my resignation, even though
1t was to accept the call from the friends
ofmy youth ard enable me to visit daily
the home of my parents. Then, too, il
was my happiness to bigin work alone al
Marietta with thirty pupils and to witness
continuous growth of patronage until
had eight associate teachers and an en-
rolment OF 260 pupils, and | appreciated
this substantial mark OF 1her favor. These
thoughts lead me to regret that my life
my activities were on plane so far below
my duty and opportunity.
Mrs. Harris asks to join in every ex>
preston | may make, touching the kinds
ness OF Marietta.to us, and declare that
as well expect a mother to forget the
babe, that on her breast so sweetly smiled
as for her to forget the precious friends
she so reluctantly left. '
Very sincerely.
j. G. HARRIS