Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-26
The state Library Appropriation.


To the Editor of the Dispatch:
In your issue of to-day. Professor Pol
lard. OF Richmond College, urges plea
In behalf OF keeping the State Library
open at night at the expense OF the CITY
From the source from which this advice
emanates, and the public benefactnh con-
templated thereby, II Is to be presumed
that the appeal will be more or less IN
fuential. Few persons, IL any, ana GER
tainly not this writer. would dispute tha'
the object contemplated Is laudapie one.
This Is an age and this Is land favorlhg
public education; but there are some con-
siderations. homely I'm their character. Dut
nevertheless imperative, which should DE
urged, although they may have the enec'
of depriving the Doctor and other eA-
plorers after knowledge, ike himself Oh
the benefit Of night work in the library.
SO much has been published OF late In
connection with the movement now aSital-
Ing the community in regard to expenol-
lures made by the City Council over anu
above it's annual income, that IL would
seem unnecessary to remind any reading
man that the city has reached limit be-
yond which II cannot safely go, and tnat
there is urgent necessity that she shoulu
retrace her steps, as the present Councii
in this and other instances has wisely
done. and for which action commentator
Is due to Il and should be given by all.
The assertion is ventured, without actual
knowledge on the part OF the writer. that
common honesty is a fundamental truth
taught in every chair and school at Rich
mond College. 1t must be the foundation
of all morals, and certainly OF CHRISTIAN
morals; and the simple issue presented
is whether II IL common honesty In
man to spend more than his income; for
a city TO make appropriations beyond her
resources, or a state TO incur obligations
which she may not meet.
In this connection. then, It may not De
inappropriate to repeat that the bonded
debt OF this city is now 100000; that. In
addition thereto. there Is floating DEBT
of 500. 900: and that for the last current
year the city appropriated $iS5.0o0 beyond
her Income. And. in view OF this condi-
ton Of things, every right-minded citizen
ought to commend the Council for their
wisdom In curtailing their appropriations
500 600 for the present year. although such
action includes in 1t the curtallment OF the
81, 900 appropriated last year, for the first
time, to keep open the State Library at
night for the benefit of the public.
The writer does not know the facts, but
happened to be present at the common
Council the night when the question was
under consideration before that branch.
He heard the statement made that the
ordinary attendance at the library at
night was from four to seven persons.
1t Is to be deplored that the city OF
Richmond has no public library. 1t stands
waiting, with an expectancy born OF the
liberality Of public-spirited citizens CT so
many other localities, for the munificence
Of some testator, whose fortune will erect
such a monument to his name in this To-
cality.
The State Library situated as II is and
where II is, cannot be rendered popular
institution. But the argument Is, as
stated above that the city Of Richmond
cannot afford to incur this expense at this
time. Doubtless, Richmond College, with
other public institutions. Is a holder or
the securities of this city. and the writer
feels sure that the learned Doctor would
not encourage any action on the part OF
the governmental authorities Of this city
which would affect the value of those Sc
curities. The maintaining of the high
credit OF Richmond should be the first
object of all good citizens, and to do this
involkes the aid OF prudential considera-
tions. necessary, though homely and UNI
popular. GOOD GOVERNMENT.
Richmond. Va, April q. 1896.