The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-05
The ST. Paul Public Library.

Once again the subject of the extent
to which the people of ST. Paul may
become interested in the improvement
of public library facilities is being agi-
tated. There is no community either
west or east of the Allegheny noun
tains which could more creditably take
up this work and finish 1t than that
which exists in the city of st. Paul.
This town has a reputation not only
for the possession of great wealth, but
for honest dealing, which places it in
the front rank of municipalities on this
continent. 1t does not seem pleasant
to have it appear in the daily journals
Of this city that so important a duty
on the part of its citizens has been def
Client in performance as that which as
sociates them with a lack Of proper
provision of facilities in this connection.
st. Paul today is hawking about its
old market house, at Wabasha and Sew
enth streets, as the nucleus for the es-
Establishment of this educational institu-
ton. The most humble agencies have
been adopted by public-spirited citi-
zens to create something like a re-
spectacle sentiment calculated to bring
the public library into a position of
merit and worth
There are citizens ready to do
Justice to this subject provided the
representatives of the people. in the
council shall develop sufficient courage
and intelligence to warrant advocates
In Following in their footsteps.
The proposition ought to be very
hn
the number of $4,000 volumes, are
at present slowed away in the upper
rooms of the city hall, inaccessible to
many who do not care to mingle with
the crowds that are necessarily gro1p-
ed In the lower floors of that building
In order to reach the distributing desks.
The plan is now under consideration
to improve the old market house site
IN the form of an exposition building.
winch shall contribute a revenue of
say $4,000. which, added to the library
fund of $4,000 will give to the people
of st. Paul at least something tenn
porarily removed from political sur
roundings. There is no doubt that this
proposed improvement Of the present
market house site will add materially
to the value of surrounding property.
What st. Paul needs Is a library
building. This it can secure bv an
initial movement on the part of local
legislators whereby some encourage
nient may be afforded to citizens of
great means who, when they see a pos
s1bllity in sight for the realization of
their hopes, stand ready to make their
endoWments.
Nobody contends that the old mar
ket house site is a suitable one for the
new public library that is proposed for
st. Faul. 1t is foolish to speculate
upon the possibility of the United
states government transferring the
present postoffice building to the mu-
nicipality for library purposes. Fur
thermore, the present postoffice site is
not suitable for public library any
more than the building in its form of
construction is likely to be available.
The same is true with respect to the
present capitol building That would
be an admirable site. but a most I'M
suitable building: and it would have
to be RACED to the ground and recon
structed in order to provide safe and
proper accommodations for st. Paul's
library
This is subject which ought to be
taken up and disposed of without any
further delay Financial conditions are
prosperous; the general business and
commercial outlook of the city is ia
vorable; the necessity is recognized. Is
the true mountaineering spirit lacking
In this community?