The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-04-05

and bark at those that are in the places
that they think they have a life time
lean on.
But as your valuable paper reaches
the class Of citizens that we feel per
sonaIly responsible to, namely, a large
majority of the laboring class, We want
them to know what we are doing.
When we make the following state
ment we do il without any reflection
upon our predecessors, for no doubt
they did the best they could under the
circumstances. When we took charge
of the State Library, we found, espe
peciaIly the east wing of the library,
containing the y S Government dCcu
ments, the colonial records and all the
newspapers IN bound volumes, q large
mejorIty Of them lying on the floor, in
! one cOnglomerated mass. To day all
these books and newspapers can be
found in their proper places, and in
dexed so that the public a refer to
any book or paper without a moments
hesitation. So marked is the change
that Judge Walter Clark, who visits
che library probably than any
man in the State, remarked That a
wonderful Improvement had been made
IN MS department within the last
twelve months. Ard to verify our
statement, we cordially invite any IN
prejudiced citizen to compare the o
ditlon of the library to day with the
way it was kept before l took charge
and I am willing to stand or fall by
their decision.
Further, l want to state that previous
to the present administration, and by
the ruliBg of a Democratic board OF
trustees, only the State officers an
Judges of the Supreme and Superb r
Courts could take books from the
library, but through the kindness OF
the present board consisting of Gov
Russell, Cyrus Thompson and O. II
Mebane, permission has been granted .
to all the teachers of the city graded
schools, about fifteen in number, ais !
the teachers of blind schools, Sc, Mary !
and Peace Institute; to take any books !
from the State Library that they may
select. Limit, thirty days to be re
turned; which arrangement increases
the present Li0rarian's duties at least
tentold.
The State Library was organized in
tho nam 1871 M0ok ~ thu ~ - ho. /
been under Democratic rule, and never
a word was said about opening the
library at night, but for the last few
months q great howl is made by these
self righteous Pharisees, that the dear
people are being cheated out of the use
OF the library, because it is net open all
day and all night. The same hours are
observed for opening and closing that
was from the beginning up to the pres
ent date. But l have no discretion in
making the rules. Whateve- in the
judgment OF the trustees, is thought
best, that is my duty to perform, and
that 1 expect to do, 80 far as III me lies.
And then il we can get this impartial
committee appointed to compare the
present management of the State Ii
brary with the past, we might invite
them to the Labor Commissioners
Office, for we feel satisfied that he
would also be willing to stand or fall by
their decision. And while in session, |
they ought by all means to visit the
Secretary Of States Office, for we know
he would be glad to see them, and give
them come figures that would enable
them to answer The PROGRESSIVE
FARMERS enquiry about the sixty thou.
sand dollars per annum that should
have been paid into the State Treasury
for years and years, under Democratic
rule, but up to date has not been &C.
counted for. Respectfully,
r. A. COBB.