The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-06-29
THE PUBLIC LIBRARY AND PupLIG
MORALITY.


much benefit to the workingman as the
public library. First. It supplies him With
readlng matter thar he is unable to OBJ
tain otherwise second. II helps him 10
solve the problems OF his vocation by
having access to a valuable reference IL
brary Third. 1t places every man who
Is willing TO read and learn on a higher
basis OF morality and he is better able 10
understand the achievements OF his fellow
men and his country. There are many
plans proposed and executed 20 improve
the lot OF man and make his life more
elevating. but there is more expense
more sundry subscriptions connected with
the club. lodge, etc. which IS continually
grinding at the working mans pocket
book. and the proit received does not
balance with the amount spent N fact.
the greater number OF our workiugmen
cannot indulge in the social functions OF
club or lodge. The public library : ;he
one thing that comes TO the rescue n the
least expense. 1t expels the monosonous
and humdrum character OF life that exists
among the poorer class OF people. Il
sends knowledge into the dark corners OF
our cities II brings light into our homes.
and reduces the degradation and tenPta-
ton that surround many homes. It is
gratifying to note the progress uf the
public library. which is sure TO bring a
make well-read and better citizens 0t orr
people. This win mean better govern
ment The library, with its reading room (
is born into the community to sedice the I
social and moral evils that exist. The /.
influence Of It's large collection Of good |
books is a magnet 10 check the onward I
march Of folly and ruin, 1t is our modern 1
University and It should be in all cities
and towns large enough TO support il. I
Many viii say that there is no need /!
Of it, Many viii not believe that the !
library tends to lessen evil; but il really I
does. No man should be so narrow /
minded as 10 think that the library shculd 4
nave such magnetic force that it will 4
take everyone away from the saloon. ;he 4
resort the street corner, and 0ut OF the ,
alley. It's work IS gradual but progressive. (
1t supplies wealth OF knowledge. which .
is free gift to every man and woman, l.
and it has come TO stay. II those who 1
take but little interest IN the publ> libra- (
ry. or their fellow men in general. would /
visit city library in the afternoon or
evening, particularly Saturday, they 4
would see something that might open I
their eyes. They would no doubc see a
large throng at the delivery counts=. y.liI-
ing their turn 10 take out books The [
reading room VIII present the same ccL-
ditions. Every man and woman owes it .
to himself or herself to keep diligently
read up on topics OF the times, but
more especially the current literature Of
his or her profession. II this were Jnly
true Of the great mass Of our worker,
we believe that all lines Of human indus
try would be dignified, enlarged and en-
nobled. The public library plays an i'm
portant part in elevating the moral tone
Of the people. and does more good in a
quiet way than any other institution.
The library movement is steadily moving
westward, and proud New England cen |,
no longer boast Of having the only public
libraries in our country. The above ar
icle from the pen of c. P. Longwen in |
the June Home and Country" Is Of such
interest and Importance that "; nave
published it in its entirety. The beard
of directors OF our own public library
have struggled for years TO maintain It
in existence simply, without any thought
of reward. or thanks, even; have for years
left nothing Of self-sacrifiee or carnes:
effort undone. If only they could manage
to keep open the library doors, and oc-
casionally add to the well-selecte1 list
Of books already on its shelves. Read
ers Of the Astorian know that the city
through its council appropriated forty
dollars per month to help in this work.
The amount was little over half enough
to meet the monthly expenses, but when
otiicA city appropriations were cut lIls
was also, so that now it only covers half
Of the expenses. In many Eastern cities,
much smaller than Astoria, public ihra-
ries have been either endowed by public
spirited citizens with a sum Of sufficient
amount that the interest covers all Ca
or by the payment monthly Of
a certain amount to the same object, their
names are forever held in kindly renem-
brance by the many who have profted
by their generosity. Are there not those
OF Independent income in our own city
who win Of their abundance contribute
monthly sum sufficient to cover the
amount actually necessary to pay the
monthly expenses and leave The library
board free to gather by entertainments
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