The record-union., 1897-04-11
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR WEALTH.

Yesterday we referred to the bene-
fieence of a private individual in Great
ing an educational fund that will stand
for all time to the credit of this city.
But the opportunities to use surplus
means for good ends do not reside in
benefactions for new uses by special
funds alone. There are public works
that are equally worthy objects for
beneficence, and that the wealthy
should not overlook in investing
in the good Of their fellow beings.
In this city there are two institutions
of an educational character that ares
especially in line for the consideration
plus funds in good works. There are
two others, wholly charitable, that sorely
need assistance and ought to be endow-
ed beyond the possibilities of want.
There are two others, purely humane
and philanthropic, that ought to be
capitalized and made independent Of
begging and pinching. The Humane
Societies like those endowed in San
Francisco, the Art School like that en-
dowed in San Francisco; the Children's
Refuge and Foundlings' Home like
those endowed in San Francisco-these
are objects in our midst worthy of the
consideration of the wealthy who can
invest in their perpetuation with full
assurance of doing great good.
But an institution more specifically
a public one than any other, and one
that is broadly educational and bene-
ficent is the Free Library of this city.
1t ought to be richly endowed that its
opportunities may be all improved and
it's splendid work greatly broadened.
1t ought to be put beyond political
necessity or whim, it ought to be free
from any possible financial embarrass-
ment in keeping its shelves fresh with
the best and most desirable literature
Of the age. 1t ought to be so equipped
that it could maintain great hall in
which to give a series of lectures weekly
the year through, practically free to all
the people. The lyceum work of the
library has indeed never been opened
up, but it must be in time, and the
sooner done the greater the good that
will be conferred on the community.
But the Sacramento Free Library is
so much more a beneficial and helpful
institution than is generally known,
that It is simply surprising to learn that
it has been recently so shorn by short
sighted policy on the part of the city
government, that it has been compelled
to cease purchase of new books. When
that happens to any library there is
danger ahead.
Let us see what this library, that has
grown to such splendid proportions,
really is doing, struggling along with
expenses when there is work cut out
for it demanding as much more, with
its we'll stocked shelves and its $50 pc
riodicals. 1t is open every day in the
year. save cleaning days and some hoi-
DAYS. and its last report shows that
ii issued no less that 70,2S6 volumes in
a. year Their character indicates the
kind of people vino seek this library
Fiction 1852, history 1927. literature
32el. fine arts 400, juvenile fiction
22G0. philosophy Ssl, useful arts 900
natural science 1,245. phnology 81
sociogy 51S religion 3Si. general works
{ .C35. juvenile works other than fiction
= 2GIl current magazines /, 100 Books
issued for room reading SS1 per quar-
ter s
This is a record that tells its own
story. 1t speaks of search after knowl-
edge that is gratifying; of q thirst that
is never satisfied; of character that
compliments itself.
Here is an institution that is crowded
nightly with readers; that withdraws
youth from associations and scenes
that but for this library and its reading
rooms would corrupt and practically
destroy young manhood. Take the re-
port for the last month alone and what
n fine credit il is to the community. In
March there were issued from the IL
brary SECS books fictien 5Jsil. history
$50. literature 24i. fine arts 23o. useful
arts III. science 23i. philosophy ii,
sociology II. religion Is, philosophy 100.
general works 1iS, juvenile fiction L.,
49,. other classes 80 current maya
zines 406 Books read in the rooms
i2t. average issued each day 26o. pa
irons registered 5.2oS, total attendance
in reading room 60l9. of whom 1863
were wor-en, 1876 were men. 200 were
girls and 1,0s3 We're boys. According
to the last annual report the yearly at
tendance at the library was no less
than iS,6S1, of whom 1857 were wo-
men, 34.11o men, 2,03l girls and $40
boys.
Wesuhmlt that an institution that has
such attractions that until a late hour
at night it is thronged with seekers