The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1900-08-23
cL1NroN's LIBRARY.
The Handsome Gift of VIM. W. Brown of
Portland.

The Handsome Gift of VIM. W. Brown OF
! Portland.
| The dedicatory exercises of Clinton's
new public library were held Wednes-
day, Aug 18th, in spite of unfavorable
weather The donor of the money for
the library is WV Brown of Portland, a
former resident of the town Of Clinton.
Large numbers of people came from
near by towns, attracted by the excellent
program of the speakers.
The town hall was crowded long be-
fore the hour of beginning the exercises.
FL. j. Brown called the meeting to order
and Rev. A. H. Hanscom offered PRAYER.
Mr.. Brown then introduced DR.. A. A.
Shaw, who made the opening remarks.
After DR.. Shaw finished, the donor of
the building, w. w. Brown, was pre-
sented and was received with great APP
plause. He gave short sketch of his
early life and of the life of his parents
IN honor of whom the library was built.
He contrasted the present aspect of
Clinton and surrounding towns with
what it was in his youth, when there
was, as he said, ga blackboard road to
Pittstield, but that was scarcely pass
able He spoke of the meager educa-
ton that all children received then and
of his JOY that the boys and girls of to-
day had greater benefits. ''When he
and one could not obtain many to read
He was glad to place within reach of
Clinton young people, well selected
library. With tears in his eyes MI
Brown, at the close of his address,
turned to Mr. Felker, who was to re-
ceive the gift in behalf of the town,
and presented him with the key to the
building and check for the endow-
ment fund. The audience was stirred
through and through with the beauty
and pathos of the scene, and after a
moments hesitation burst into applause
such as the Town hall has never wit
messed before. 1t came from the very
hearts OF those present and was choice
reward for the man who made it posi-
BILE.
After the applause had subsidized, S.
?. Felker accepted the gift in behalf of
the town and spoke in part as follows:
1T gives me great pleasure to accept in
behalf of the town of Clinton this
magnificent gift presented by William
w. Brown Of Portland. In accepting
this gift l assure you, Mr.. Brown, that
every citizen of Clinton most heartily
appreciates your kindness and from the
fullness of their hearts and souls thank
you for the beautiful library you have
erected in our village
After Mr.. Felker concluded the choir
sang Home Sweet Home
Hamilton w. Mabie of New York,
the famous essayist, critic and editor of
the Outlook, gave very able and inter
esting address.
After the exercises in the hall there
was banquet served in the dining
room below.
The lot on which the building stands
cost $780, the building $1,000 and the
books 50, 500. The donor has also given
an endowment fund of $1,000, yielding
I per cent, and insured the building for
five years. 1t is indeed princely gift.
One of the most pleasing features of the
gift is the wisdom that is apparent in
even the smaller details. The whole
building has an air of elegance and yet
it is all very simple and thoroughly
practical. 1t is plainly evident that a
book lover and thorough business man
was behind it all