The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-02-19

will accept them gladly, and give them
the widest possible field of usefulness.
With the record before you it would
be useless to debate the question as to
whether the library justifies its own
existence. The eager delight with
which the children avail themselves of
its educational advantages; the crowds
of studious people of mature age; the
character Of books most in demand,
declare with unerring certainty the
wisdom of the legislators who passed
the library law, of the governor who
signed the bill, and the council which
provided the means with which to
establish this institution. AS a meas
ure of civic progress and an indica-
ton of the public intelligence the
library and its popularity are subjects
of pride for every thinking citizen. May
we hope that its future will record an
advance in all that goes to make good
citizenship, in public spirit and intel
lectual growth.
Mr. Weber closed by paying high
tribute to Miss Chapman. the present
librarian and who for many years oc-
cupied that position and did valiant
service in promoting and consummating
the present felicitOus condition in
which the library is placed The
speaker also 'complimented the board of
directors on the success which had at
tended their arduous labors in settling
the library in its present quarters, ar
ranging and cataloguing the books and
other work devolving upon them.
COUNCILMAN DIEHL.
Councilman Diehl. who has been con-
nected with the library from the very
beginning and at all times an ardent
supporter of the cause, made few
remarks on the value of books as the
his birth place on the Rhine and de-
clared that it was the superior educa-
ton of the Germans which enabled
them TO whip the French in the war of
1870. Mr.. Diehl told of the small be-
ginnings OF the library. the fostering
care given it by the Masonic fraternity
and predicted that within a few years
il would grow to a collection OF half
4 million volumes. He also referred in
complimentary terms to the part the
ladies had taken in making the free
library possibility.
EX-CONGRESSMAN ALLEN.
Ex-Councilman Allen also gave the
ladies the full credit for the establish
ment of the free library. AS a matter
of fact they had done about all the
work and accomplished the present re-
suit. 1t was through their efforts that
a bill establishing a free library was
passed by the legislature in 1894. This
bill however, was vetoed by the gov
ernor, but the ladies, none daunted,
continued their efforts until the free
library became an accomplished fact.
Books the speaker considered, were
Indispensable to the student and indis-
pensable to obtain a practical educa-
ton. Lawyers, engineers, preachers,
statesmen, doctors, men of all profess
sions and most trades could not be-
come practical in their calliDgS without
the aid of books. The free library
would prove of great benefit to the
young and was deserving of the great
est encouragement.
DIR. TALMAGE.
DR.. Talmage very briefly, but warm
~ commended the free library and said
it would prove u great advantage TO
the teachers in the schools and the
a teacher without books
was like a workman without tools. This
meeting was in one sense a consumma-
ton, but IN another sense was only
beginning, for a great and new era
was now opened IN the history of the
library and its usefulness.
Among the musical pieces rendered /
was Il cornet solo by L. P. Christensen
entitled "InfiammatUs, which evoked {
great applause and calls for an encore, |
TO which Mr.. Christensen responded
with Spring SoEg."
When the exercises closed an hour /,
was spent in sociability and in eXamin- |
ing the library and its appointments (
and the work of the board of directors
was highly commended. The directorate /
is composed of T. G. Weber. presi- .
dent: II. c. Hill, secretary; Mrs. J. /
NJ. Dart. Boyd Park. Miss Emma Nc
Cornick. George D. Piper Mrs. Rachel /
Miller, William Igleheart, Mrs. ID. 3. /
IIer7.1s- cad