The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-03-10
The Workineman and the Library.
Editor of The Times:

Editor of The Times:
Sir.-The action of the Council OF Allied
Building Trades in protesting against the
acceptance by the city Of Mr.. Carnegie S
offer of 100000 for Il public library IS
based, ! think, upon a misrepresentation
The workinEnan is the backbone OF the
community in which he lives, if 1t has
any backbone. and therefore those COM
Inunties have always prospered in which
the workinG1nan proSpered. But the queS-
ton Immediately presents itSelf-what IS
prosperity? The life of .. man, a. city or
g nation has been measured by the null
titude OF goods possessed, fer the pleas
1lres of home, of social intercourse ana
ali the elevating influences of civilization
tho, gh they may follow--certainly
do no; consist in mere material wealth.
The power that made Athens the ruler
OF Greece and mistress of the world-the
Rpirit that produced a literature which
stands unsurpassed to-day, and which
filled the hearts Of even the simplest citi-
zcns with high resolutions and ennobling
motives-tfle act that raised the noblest
temples and caused the greatest statues
yet conceived by man. all sprung from the
spirit of education that was encoura ged
and fostered among the citizens of that
great State.
IT was the Willingness TO receive and
noursh new ideas that made Venice
glorious and Florence rich. 1t was the
spread OF education that freed labor from
the heavy bonds of feudalism and later
from the industrial oppression which eN
listed in Europe at the beginning of this
century. We are not accustomed to re-
gard New York as an example of good
government or to cite its city history as
an Inspiration. and yet we may learn a
lesson even from that happy hunting
ground Of corruption and maladmniS
tration. That part of New York known
Sanitary District A is the most dense
~ populated spot for the area covered
in the known world. What chance would
the Dublic-spirited and honest citizens
have to get decent tenenents built in the
place of the roolleries standing in that
poisonous district If they had to rely upon
their own unaided efforts2 How can any
reform for the benefit OF the millions in
New York ever be accomplished without
the aid OF the millions themselves? 1t is
the awakening CT the spirit of true citi-
zenship in the breasts of thousands and
hundreds of thousands of worlsingmen
that gives cities clean streets. good wa
ter, honest management and all the other
benefits that come to a community where
the interest III public affairs is wide
spread and active
What greater asset, from a purely COM
merciai standpoint. can a. city have than
this spirit? And among the greatest
sources of this spirit is the influence of a
proper public library. We all desire to
see low taxes and comfort and happiness
for the citizens of Richmond and sir in
my opinion. of the surest roads to
this desired end lies in using to the full
the influence for good which a great
public library is bound to have on a com
munity, There are men and women on
whom the needs and necessities OF this
life Weigh too heavily to allow them to
use the means for education offered by a
public library But will not their chill
dren, TO say nothing of the city be better
Tor this opportunity? Is there any gift
that a man, be he millionaire or me-
cflanic, can give his son that equals edy-
cation that fits the youth for an ever
widening usefulness in the world? All
cannot attend universities. but great pub
lie library is university at your own