The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-26
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MONEY FOR THE LIBRARY.

seattle, aug. ~, 1879
To the Editor: This mornings Post-In-
telligencer announces that the committee
in charge of the relief fund for the city of
Sprague has still 5000 on hand. Some few
days ago the mayor of Sprague stated that
his city had passed that critical point
which alone iustifies in the acceptance of
charity.
Thus we are confronted with the some
what unusual dilemma of having $500 on
hand and not knowing what 10 do with ii.
Rightly the money should be returned to
those contributing it. But since that is
out of the question. for various reasons,
the next best thing TO do is TO devote the
money'to a purpose that is confessedly
worthy important, and which all people
alike can enjoy.
Therefore l advocate that the money
should be given TO the free public library
of this city. The day has passed when
argument is necessary TO establish the
fact that free public libraries are useful
and necessary. 1t may also be stated,
without fear of successful contradiction.
that no purpose could be mentioned where
the money would do so much good to as
many people as il would in the library
II is not so long since our library had
To he closed up entirely for a few weeks,
owing to lack OF means 10 support ii.
Subscriptions had TO he solicited 10 pay off
debts necessarily incurred. Today the
library is still wanting in many almost
indispensable improvements. The floor of
tho general reading room is still bare.
The noise Of the footsteps Is 50 annoying
as 10 make II next 20 Impossible To read
FIVE minutes in succession without inter-
ruptlon The same is true OF the refer
ence room.
Perhaps no one in particular is to blame
for the deplorable conditions. Yet the Ssa0
could certainly he used for some very nee
esSary Improvements. In those cities
whore due attention has been given 10
make the free public library cover the en-
tire useful field which has been mapped
out for IT, IL has been found that more
than ordinary inducement must be given
To- the masses 10 get them started on
reading course When once they have
learned that the spending Of few even
ing hours with such companions as Hume
Gfbbon NcMaster. Thackerav. Eliot
Cooper. Irving. Emerson and Hawthorne
j. more profitable than 20 stand around
the street corners and discuss purely Wis
ionary schemes they are beyond needing
any coaxiug or inducing 70 read. But un-
I'll they have learned that there is more
both pleasure and proft in intellectual en-
S0vment than in anything else they must
chiidike. be led TO IL.
Consequently tho reading room set apart
for the general public ought 20 he made
comfortable and quiet The 10 cents
monthly charge should he taken of as
soon as possible. Not that We are so poor
that people cannot AFFORD 20 pay 10 cents
n month. but the Decent impeachment often
affords an excuse for not going 10 the IL
hrsry for A new book
with me. at least. the free public library
- never-ehi.nE subject But enough
has been said 20 show the lhrary's need
81 the money. and also 20 show that no
where could the money do as much good
"a as many people as in the free public
library. ABE SPRING