Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1897-04-23
A SILVER LIBRARY.
Ex-GOV. ALTCELD INAUGU-
RATES A PLAN.
Will Educate the People How to Vote
In the Big Campaign OF 10OO-Stand-
ard Works by Harvey, Teller, Andrews,
SHIRLEY and Others.


library is to be established, and every
voter will have an opportunity to read
the latest and best BOOKS on free silver
and economic doctrines. The plan
should be extended all over the coun-
try.
Il want the people to know more Of
the economic question" he said, "and
a library accessible to the public is the
best way to accomplish this end. I
have made arrangements with authors
and publishers to obtain the books at
one-fourth the regular price, and al
though the work was only started a
few days ago have SO far received
much encouragement.
These books are to be controlled by
local democrats, and must be contin-
ually circulated. 1t is proposed to es-
tablish precinct libraries, the books
being furnished by the state commit
! tee"
The following is copy of the letter
sent out to democratic committeeman
in Illinois,
Dear Sir: 1t is desired to establish
a small circulating library in each pre-
cinct over the state, to be known as
the Economic Circulating Library, and
to be made up of the latest and best
standard books upon the financial
question and on such economic ques-
lions as directly affect the people.
Professor ]. A. Coultas, who is one
of the best men we have in the state
on these subjects, has taken deep in
terest in this matter, and has been
giving it great deal of time, and after
much negotiation with authors and
publishers, an understanding has been
made which will make it possible to
furnish as beginning, twenty of the
best books, some large and some small
for 81, besides express, some bound in
paper and some bound in MANILA. He
the books by well-known men who
for many years have been careful stu
dents of finance and kindred subjects.
Among these will be such books as
"An Honest Dollar" by President An
drews of Brown University; Battle of
the Standards" by Teller; THE Money
Question" by SHIRLEY; "The Railway
Question:" by Ex-Governor Larrabee;
"Bimetallism," by Archbishop Walsh;
"The Gold Standard" by Mr.. Adams OF
Massachusetts,; "The Bankers Dream"
by Proctor; Coins Financial School,"
and the "Tale Of Two Nations" by w.
Fl. Harvey.
The number can subsequently be in
creased above twenty, and such other
and different books can be added on
substantially the same basis of price.
The prices will, as a rule, only be
about one-fourth the regular price,
and the authors and publishers are
making this concession solely for the
purpose of assisting in the carrying
on of the work of education, and this
upon the express condition that no
book shall become the property of any
private individual, but must be kept
in circulation in a free library.
If this idea meets with your approx
al, and with the approval of the demo-
Gratis in your precinct, then be kind
enough to raise So and forward it to j.
A. Orr, banker, Champaign, ILL.,, who
Is treasurer of the state democratic
committee, and also fill up, sign and
mail inclosed postal card. It is deem
ed best not to have one or two men
furnish the 81, but, If possible, to get
twenty men to contribute 10 cents
each, so that there will be wider in
terest felt in the matter from the be-
ginning. The books can be sent in
about three weeks after orders are re-
ceived.
The library is to be. under the con-
troll Of local democrats, and some
young person should be appointed H.
brarian to keep the records OF the
books, etc. Preferably, in my judg-
ment, this should be young woman,
as she is more liable to be at the place
where the books are kept, and to give
the matter that attention which would
be required. This librarian should
keep a record of the books, see that
they are returned at the right time
and should also report about once a
month to the head librarian here in
Chicago; and, in order to avoid jeal-
ousy, 1 would suggest that number
of democrats be consulted before IL
brarian is appointed. In sending the
money please inclose list Of the men
and their addresses who have contrib
uted, so we can judge of the interest
that will be taken from the start in
your neighborhood.
When the books are finally delivered,
the librarian will be required to sign
a receipt, something like the following:
Received of the Economic Circulat-
ing Library - books, which l agree
to properly care for and see that none
is kept out longer than is permitted
under the rules Of the library, and /
also agree to it that none Of these
books become the private property of
any individual"
Respectfully yours,
JOHN p. ALTGELD.
Unity Building, Chicago, April 10.
When Has Country Money Enough?
When general prices are substantial