The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1895-02-27
The Library Question.

Editor Of Watchntdn:--The Ladies' Library
Guild, over the official signature Of their
president, certainly struck the key mote OF a
strain that for weeks has vibrated, though
seemingly dormant Truly, the proposition
from the Young Mems Christian Associa-
ton that will be offered to the Montpelier
Public Library "arouses not only lively
interest in the community, bat one that Is
deep and earnest" and / sincerely hope
that others equally interested in the well
fare and morals of this soon-to-be city will
give public expression to their views through
the local press. But right here 1 can't help
calling attention to the fact that, during the
week that has passed since the article re.
ferred to appeared, / have met with more
than one vigorous protest from members OF
the Guild that they were represented (by
the official signature) as authorizing senti.
ments with which they were not in sym.
pathy. Not, however, posing as the repre-
sentative of these protestants, venture to
offer my individual visws through your
columns and insist that 1.-THE advantage to
the Montpelier Public Library 10 accepting
the proposition made by Mr.. Wood"
whether coming through the Young Mems
Christian Association or some other chan
nell is 30 patent and self.evident that it is
hardly complimentary to the intelligence of
this community to raise the question or at
tempt to discuss 1t; nor does the suggestion
even, that Mr.. Wood makes his generous
proposal with mental reservation har-
IN onize with the deserved tribute, "for
Montpelier feels the happiest pride in her
renowned artist" If there is no question
to settle, no choice to be made, whether to
accept or decline, surely the article referred
to and the one now submitted are uncalle
for. The writer OF that article certainly
misapprehends the situation regarding the
compromise" or 1 am much mistaken
Montpelier Public Library-a corporation
controlled under an act OF the legislature by
eight hundred and more individual stock
holders-the compromise" has not settled
the question of its future home. Certainly
there Is Question to settle and a choice to
be made, whether to accept or decline"
I am also very much mistaken If it IL
true that the Kellogg Hubbard Library
Building, "as result Of the compromise "
really becomes the property OF the town."
Is 1t not quite the contrary? L beg to quote
from the act of incorpor alton of the Kellogg
Hubbard Library. u suppose the full text
of the compromise " will be furnished the
town in the March report. I am advised
that the Articles OF Incorporation are drawn
in accordance with it. Section ons mem
tions the incorporators for the purpose,
az trustees for the inhabitants OF the town
Of Montpelier, OF establishing, cunning, man.
aging and maintaining public library
and its funds in the town OF Montpelier" etc.
Section two, "The said corporation may
make such bylaws, rules and regulations
rs III Iu6y ut0uu uoCcSSdEy tOT lJS OWu gov
eminent and control, and for the establish
ment control and government of said Ii
brary and property, not repugnant to the
constitution and laws of this state or Of the
United States, or to the purpose of its ncor-
poration," etc. Section three, "That said
corporation shall have power to perpetuate
its existence By the election 10y a majority of
its members remaining after a vdcdncy or va-
cdncieS shall occur of new members (who
shall be residents Of the town of Montpelier)
to fill vacancies caused by death, resigna-
ton, other legal cause, or removal from the
town of Montpelier Of any of its corporators
or their successors" Truly again, aside
from their officers, "no individual has any
responsibility in the matter whatsoever"
1 do not attempt to discuss this subject on
theological lines, not being member Of the
Y. M. G. A., nor any more eligible to its
membership than all others outside the pale
Of church membership. have no fear,
however, of censorship" OF any other
interference, since the Y. M. g. A., as un-
understand their proposition, with no idea
nor opportunity, as an Association, Of d.
recting or in any wise cor trolling its man
agement simply offer the Montpelier Pub.
lie Library home for its books, rent, heat
and light free, the control and manage
ment remaining as at present with its stock
holders, represented by their elected trus-
are enabled by the generosity Of "Mont-
pelier's renowned artist " to offer as q spe.
cial inducement the opportunity to connect
with the Montpelier Public Library the nu-
cleus OF an art gallery that shall not only
serve as fitting monument to Mr.. Wood,
an ornament to the city, and source OF
genuine culture, but with future additions
from his own rich and valuable collection,
and from those of other artists that will be-
come interested through him, will "give
Montpelier the best collection OF paintings
In New England outside Of Boston"
JAMES G. HoUGHToN.
Montpelier, VT, Feb. %, 1895.