The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-19

As we understand the situation, 500,
600 is needed To build our new Publ,
Library.
sum amounting to s10ij mas been
cheeriuily So ubscribsd.
Ihe amount that nor waits upon pub
lie libersiity is i1ss,9-4.
The people OF Proyidenco must fur, isr
this II they are TO have tho library. We
believe that when the people OF Progi.
denes get fairly walked apto what Is
demanded OF thtm the money will be
forthcoming. Eoston did it-did II
| splendidly. They have a monument to
theis civic pride that is the admiration
OF the whole COUNTRY, not 10 say the
whole world. The lofty aim and tremen-
dous strength possible 10 public senli-
ment coul1 have been so well expressed
in no other way.
We repeat the conviction that the peo-
pie of Providence will build for them
selves new library. They will provide
the funds some time. The boom may
start today, aud 1t may not start, alas,
for months TO come. But some day il
will begin and then the money will come
pouring in 10 the library fund. The
quicker, the more glorious for the citi-
zens OF Providence.
The Library Is not 8 private corporation
seeking for support. The Library is the
peoples institution. AS 1t at present ex.
lists II IL supported by the people as II 10
maintained for the people. That means,
OF course, that comparatively few gea-
erous ard public spirited men support 1t,
but we oil share in the credit and the
claim is net begrudged the humblest of
us. II the Library were supported by ths
city or State the money needed would be
quickly appropriated and the people
would cheerfully pay the taxes. We are
building state House to cost between
two and three millions. The people are
paying for it. We are building a Normal
School TO cost about half million. The
people are paying for IL. The citizens of
Providence pay the larger share of these
bills. The people of Providence built the |
city hsll, they are taxed for the "a, 000, COO |
sewer system, they cheerfully support |
their schools that have cost hundreds of |
thousands and cost great many tbons- |
and dollars every year--and the money
is cheoriolly paid. II there
were anv way that we could be taxed to
raise the 500, 900 to build the new Public
Library that tax would be voted with
cordi unanimity, no doubt. There
would be no hesitation about appropri-
atina money on the part OF the citizens
Of Providence for an objsct OF so peculiar
a value TO every one of us, including our
children. II would seem tnat some
method could be devised for inducing us
10 contribute to that fund directly. vol
unfairly, since Wa would un ub'eoly DO
II were the money asked for after tho or
dinary method OF paying for our public
works.
OF course s20o.00O is great deal OF
money. II seems bigger to us when we
ire invited to take 1t out Of our own
pockets direct, than ii would were q
legislature or common council To ap-
Droprists it or issue bonds-and then uut
lp the taxes. But there IL no difference
n the amount OF the bill wo would he
,slled upon TO pay. On the other hama
now could wo invest money in pu olic
works the return OF which would be
made with big interest directly, person
ILL.,, 10 80 many OF us as 1t would be
made b. our Puzzle Library.
Wnsi stands in the woy? No lack of
'ivic pride, surely. No lack of Iiberality,
urely. Nothing, we believe, but the
negative reason that we arc not yet fully
roused tn the proposition.
We would cheerfully contribute to the
und little sum Of our own to any one
Who will suggest the best method OF
wskening the people To the library pro-
position. the decision to be based on the |
PRACTICAL results, namely the raising of
bat balance OF sl9s, 1854.
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