The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-03-24
ROANOKE. VA. THURSDAY MORNING. MARCH24 1892
FOR A FREE LIBRARY.
Strong Appea' of E. c. Pechin
For This institution.

President E. c. Pechin, of Abe Com
mefcial Association, issues the follow
ing stirring petition to the citizens OF
Roanoke for assistance in establishing
free library:
10 the Citizens OF Roanoke:
make an earnest appeal for yoar as.
sistance and CO. operation in establishing
free library for the city of Roanoke.
Nothing elaborate will be ATTEMPTED.
Inc aim will be to secure centrally-lo-
Gated, well-lighted, plainly but attract
lively furnished rooms, to be supplied
with leading periodicals and standard
works for all classes for use at the
rooms, and we'll selected list of books,
beth for instruction and amusement.
which, under proper rules, can be taken
home.
This appeal is made from two stand
points:
First On purely philanthropic
grounds.
n free library will give assistance to
many earnest souls who, wanting to- adj
vance mentally and intellectually, are
hampered by surroundings and clrcum-
stances. Mental and intellectual inn
provement mean better men, wider
views, iuller appreciation of what is
good and true, more comfortable lives,
higher civilization and better world.
railing to lower, but most Important
Plane to the ordinary man, especially
TO the young man, it will offer induce
ments for him to spend his time profit
ably instead Of idly, and surrounded bv
healthy instead of possibly unhealthy
influences. 1t will servo as an incen-
Tive to self:improvement and beyond
question to clearer views of duty and
higher aims in life.
Necessarily this must be a gradual
process, but none the less certain.
Second. From strictly:selfish stand
point.
Roanoke can only be made success
inl' prosperous town through its work
lngmen These must be attracted
hlther, then held, and this can only be
done by holding out to them steady
employment. good wages, comfortable
homes, and fitting opportunities for the
recreation, diversion and Improvement
of themselves and families. Churches
and good schools are essential, but the
next most valuable handmade is the
free library. 1t has been established
by tho most positive evidences else.
where that an attractive and we'll
equipped public library has had an ex-
traordinary influence in bringing and
keeping that class of Intelligent work
ingmen and women, who give the largest
value to an industrial town.
These people Roanoke must have and
must keep as it's citizens; therefore
every man who has dollar invested
here, either il. houses or lots, should be
vitality interested in extending, help
ing hand to this most meritorious un-
dertaking.
To the ladies, always foremost in
every coed work, a special appeal is
made, to assist by not only their good
wishes, but effective influence.
This matter is not an experiment.
Able mon and women the country over,
have gone thro ugh all of the rrelimi.
nary work, have corrected earlier mis-
takes, established admirable systems.
have learned by experience what should
be done and what left undone, and have
kindly offered to holp in any wav pos
sible.
Correspondence has already been
opened with the American Library
Association and tho proper steps taken
to secure the largest results from tho
money to be expended.
What is now asked is local sub
scription of 81, 600
1t is intended, however. that as soon
as $1,000 is subscribed to call the
subscribers together. organize library
association, select officers for tho first
year, establish rules for the go vernment
OF the society and begin operations.
We beg that all persons Interested in
this matter, without waiting to be
called upon, will forward their names.
with generous amounts attached, to
either Mr.. j. r. Schick, secretary; or to
the undersigned. Very respectfully.
EDMUND c. PEcHIN.
President Commercial. Association.
The Commercial Ass9ciatIon.
At the meeting of tho Commercial AS