The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-06-28
READY FOR BUSINESS.
The Public Library Opened
With Ceremony.
SPEECHES BY LEADING MEN.
Judge Hanford. Mayor Phelps. Eben
Smith and John u. Allen Make
Appropriate Addresses

The orening OF the new Seattle public
library rooms last night developed into
rubgic function. and the iecp interest OF
THE rcopge was manifested BY the number
who attended the inaugural exercises
The spacious rooms were handsomely
adorned WITH ilowess. the gsft Of the COM
rnissioners and employees Of the depart
Ynent The rooms presented ofiilians
appearance as tie thFong passed admir-
.nglv through them. enIivened by the
strains OF the Rialto band.
Unon a Gafs we're seated Mayor Phelps,
rnisea states Judge Hanford, ex-senator
John H. Allen. who had been invited to
make addresses; cx-J Judge Eben smith.
chairman Of the library board, and John
ID. Atkinson. chief librarian.
Iadge Eben smith told the story OF the
endeayors which Hnaily resulted in the es-
adjustment of the Seattle Pablo Library
aad the manner In which il was sustained.
He said that the library commission had
obtained for the library most of the stand
ard works, Notwithstanding that but one
source OF income gas 10 be depended upon,
which was the 10 per cent. OF the lines,
licenses and penalties as is provided for BY
the city charter. lie further stated that IL
was possible that q proposition would be
submitted 20 the people III 1885 10 issue
bonds in the sum OF 500, 001, TO bear per
cent interest and 10 run twenty years.
for the purpose of buying suitable
site, put mp proper bui!dlne,
and carry on the work that had
been so we'll begun. He read resolu-
ton adopted by the commission just be-
fore entering the library, which was as
follows:
"Resofvcd, That the library commission.
on behalf OF themselves and the reading
public of Seattle sincerely thank the
Ladies Library Association for their hand
some gift 10 the library of the complete
furnishing Of the ladies' room, at cost OF
some 81, 800.
Hon. J. Il. Alien spoke in hopeful terms
of the future of the public library in this
city. and made comparisons between the
old and the new locations. I'VE build
jailx." he said, eto confne men. but we
build Libraries TO free men,"
Mayor Phelps said that for the real In
tcress of society he knew of nothing more
important than a well-patronized library.
and as q servent OF the people Of this city
he should do everything in his power 10
aid the work.
Judge G. III. Hanford said that his duties
necessitated his travelling about to a con-
siderable extent, and IL gratified him very
much TO hear words spoken by people in
other cities, IN the tone of compliment
10 the improvements Of Seattle. and her
fine library. At other times, he said. he
has felt somewhat hurt upon hearing re-
marks made by persons not acquainted
with the facts that the people in Seattle
were an energetic, money-making people,
but that they were not refined. He re-
membered that, when Seattle was but a
village and he but boy, there was estab-
lished what was known as a library asso-
ciation--ali association and no library.
Newspapers three weeks old from the East
were considered valuable in those days,
aud now when the people of Seattle had
such library as this they should not let 1t
decline for want Of a little aid.
The rooms were then declared open, and
today the business Of the library will be
resumed.
Upon entering from the elevator is the
reception room. which is lix20 feet in
size, and used for procuring books from
the delivery desk To the corner of this
room are cases containing all current
magazines and books for the use of the
public. Opening of from this is the
ladies' room. 1884 feet in dimensions, and
is the finest apartment of the whole
library, being furnished in elegant style.
The floor il covered with n rug of the finest
Brussels carpet. Two large oak tables for
magazines. three very costly mahogany,
leather upholstered pieces OF furniture.
one rosewood chair and handsome
antique oak settee add to the beauty of
the room. The windows are hung with
silk sash curtains. and the arch leading TO
the reference room Is hung with fine
drapery.
The reference room. which is easy OF ac-
cess from all parts of the library. is 2tx44
feet and contains all books OF references
and the daily newspapers. This room is
separated from the main reading room by
heavy oak paneling. and is furnished with
oak book cases with glass doors. Three
large oak tables, two oak writing desks
aud two doxen chairs are also placed in
the room. with sufficient space 10 spare in
case moro are needed.
The meas reading room. which il the
largest of alt. being $txs0 feet, contains ten
large tables aud eighty chairs. and If ocua-
sion demands over 80 persons can be
seated.
The stack" room. where the books are
kept. contains 1000 volumes. In the
rear Of this room is one i2xl6 feet. Tor the
use 81 the library commission.
Apartments Tor use in repairing books
and other work are also conveniently
situated
All the apartments are Welt lighted. both
by windows and skyltghts. and ventilated
bY lines placed ia The walls
The elevator service WILL DC we'll main
tanned during al the hours the library is
open. sundays as well as week days.
VARIATION ~ STATEMENT.