The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1895-03-21
(From Thursdays Daily.l
THE PRIZE WINNER.
Conrad snearer's Essay on the Need of
Public Library


Public Library.
The necessity of establishing pub
lie library in Kenosha is SO evident that
our people should give the matter their
immediate attention.
We live in an age which is constant
" demanding more and more educa-
tional advancement. Why should Ke-
nosha, one Of the most progressive cit
| les on Lake Michigan, not keep pace
with her rival towns by extending to
the public the use of free literature /?
She can pride herself on having one of
the finest high school buildings in the
state of Wisconsin. Also one Of the
best systems of public instruction ever
known. Now in addition to this ex-
cellent equipment for school education
we need a public library for the intel
lectual development of the laboring
classes.
The reading matter placed in public
libraries is of such nature as will tend
to enlighten people on all the leading
topics of the day Note the numerous
problems which come before our voters
for solution. Among them we find the
tariff, finance, woman suffrage, and
many other questions on whichthe vot-
ers, and in fact every one, should be
informed. For this reason it is of vast
Importance that public library should
find a place in every large community.
It has also the effect of educating
people on general business matters, Tor
in a good library some information may
be gained on almost every subject.
Most persons of poor circumstances
have. before entering upon the duties of
life, acquired the art of reading. This
art is the means for obtaining the mass
of useful knowledge stored up in books.
Therefore unless access to books be
given the art lies dormant instead OF
receiving the proper development.
This great diffusion Of knowledge
caused by a public library, also tends to
produce closer union of the different
classes of society. No man can unjust
ly enslave or overburden another as
wise as himself, SO education tends to
support this basis of equality.
When we consider the low wages of
the average laborer, it is clear he has
little money to invest in reading mat
ter. The only literature within his
range is the newspaper, and in many
homes even that is lacking.
There is, however, another urgent
need Of a public library in our city, and
that is to better the moral condition of
the people, Consider what a large
number of Kenosha's young men spend
their evenings On the street, III the club
rooms, or in the saloons. The reason
for this is partly because they have no
other places to go, and there is no
greater attraction at their homes.
Something should certainly be done TO
prevent the rising generation from
forming corrupt habits through asso-
ciating with evil companions. It is the
first duty of all good Americans to see
that the youth of this land are trained
| in the proper manner. This can be
partly accomplished by placing within
the reach of all only the best variety of
literature. The dime novels and such
other worthless reading matter as is
filing the minds of our young people
with vice and vulgarity, certainly
should be supplanted by something of q
better standard.
Our city is making rapid progress,
considering the numerous improve
ments which have been made during
the past five years. Her residents have
good reasons to expect prosperity, and
should continue to build up the town in
every manner possible.
The future Of Kenosha will depend
to a great extent on the intelligence of
the people. We have already many
avenues of instruction, but there is an
important one yet to come, and that is
a public library.
CONRAD SHEARER.