The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1898-03-03

berry, the first public library in the q s.
vas started by the members of that
Quaker settlement. Manitowoc is inst a
century behind Benealem ia this reeDect.
whereas because 1t is western town, q
larger town, growing city, it ought to
be one hundred years in advance OF our
slow moving cousin Phlladelphls.
1t Is probable, when we come to think
about 1t that that old Quaker library was
started by the sisters OF the town. At
any rate, arguing by analogy, it is very
certain that that old library was started
oy the gentler sex; for here the movement
Tor such institution emaGates also from
the ladies OF our growing city.
There is hardly city IN the country
that contains such high average stan
dard OF young people "a this There is
less horse play, rowdyIsm, rudeness
amongst the boys and girls than In any
nelghbor1ne town. In order to improve
upon this favorable condition and to adj
vance the standard of youth still hioher
we ought to welcome every institution
ana means OF learning. education and
culture. One OF the best aids to educs
ton ls the public library No city that
possesses such An institution has ever re-.
/ GREETED the money spent in carrying out
this public benefit. The higher the stand
ard OF a city in the public tone, the more
the city Is worth living 10. To obtain a
good pubic tone. and raise the intellect
ual and moral standard higher, we nee d
publlc institutions where directly or In
directly educational advantages can be
obtained.
Then again the greater number of clti
zens IN any part of the world are unable
to use, because they cannot purchase,
the highest class of literature. a public
library gives this opportunity to all, and
also enables the reader to find at hand
DOCKS OF reference, to study which he
Wopld otherwise have to take a trip to
some larger city.
Looked at from every standpoint we
urgently need q public library For one
am emphatically in favor OF starting
such an institution. No great expense
need be incurred at first; the rent of a
room. the salary OF q librarian and a small
fund for the purchase of books. As time
goes on building could be erected, but
Tor that the time Is not yet ripe, nor will
1t be until we are prepared to erect q
building to which the citizens can LOint
with pride, an n which proper accom-
modat1on can be found for books and
people for years to come. I am also in
favor OF the library being started by and
supported by the city, at the ha1ds Of the
city council. 1t it Is to be public in
stltutlon 1t should be supported by the
public at large. s. r. s. GRAY.
Rector OF st. James Church
The distinction of being the only city
uf it's size in the state without public
library is one which does not carry any
honor with 1t. Indeed our more thought
full citizens are becoming FESTIVE under a
condition which implies 60 vital lack in
public enterprise. The different steps
taken by the businessmen OF the clty dur.
ing the last few years having in view q
betterment OF commercial conditions, -
the wise encouragement of new steam
boat and railway lines, the dredging OF
the river and the other movements which
are matters of recent history,-show that
a new spirit is abroad which will in time
organize better material conditions in
| Manitowoc. But good material condi
lions do not make city. Chicago a. one
time was called Porkopolis, and there
was period in its history perhaps when
the pouring IN OF all folms of wealth in
/ toxlcated its citizens into thinking that
hogs and homIny were about the only oh.
ject IN life. But the home of Francis
Willard and David Swing and Eugene
Field; the home of the finest musical or.
/ ganizatIon in the world; the home of a
great library presided over by one of our
leading poets; the seat of great univer-
slty; center of refined homes and intel
lectual achvities-cannot in truth be
called ForkopolIs. Certainly the history
of Chicago 10 the last fifteen years shows
that material prosperity even when it
comes in overwhelming foods does not
round out the life of city. Prosperity
is simply foundation for higher things.
And has not the time come when Mani
towoc should take steps upward as we'll
as forward? The founding OF new Gen.
/ ter of intellectual interest and inspiration
in this city is of vital importarce; and the
ladies who are dong the hard work of or
ganizatlon are building better than they
know since no one can estimate the con-
stantly widening usefulness of such Ia
/ bors. Our schools need the inspiration
OF good library; and if the mental and
moral tendencies and attitudes OF pupils
can be taken az clews to home conditions
/ then, In many cases, our homes need the
inspiration of library. Hard money
RrubbinR is not living. The more inter
ests we have, and the wider their outlook,