The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-01-15
comfort old age as they reach the shores
of the river, and do good to ALL
Dr. Gordon then rose and said

45I- doTQUn then rose ana S1tiu
"Mr. Mayor, Ladies' and Gentlemen
On behalf of the Board of Trustees I
deeply appreciate the sentiment expressed
by your applause and in return ! con-
gratulate you that tonight with its valu-
able treasury of literature we take formal
possession of our new home, equipped
with every device known to modern
library economy, and beautiful beyond
our most sanguine expectations
..Withal we proclaim TO very man,
woman ahlid within the boundaries
of our n.~ ipality that they as joint
owners of this building and its contents
are privileged without cost to enter and
enjoy the feast of reason which is ten
dered them within its portals.
"Over ten years of experience has
demonstrated that the Free Public
Library is beyond question the most
popular of our local Institutions. The
people have come to know what it means
to have the best thoughts of the best
men at their command for the asking,
and if I may be pardoned for rtferring
TO events in our early history, politicians
have learned by bitter experience that
they must beware how they interfere with
its functions.
"A Free Public Library SO extensive as
this must prove a potent factor in ele-
waiting and advancing the educational re
lations of the community in which it ex-
lists. It's relations to the home life of the
Individual is extremely close while its ad-
vantages to those of scientific tendencies
are simply unlimited.
who can fortell through its opportuni-
ties what mental suggestion may be
made leading to discoveries or inventions
resulting in advancing the happiness Of
millions of our fellow beings?
''Who can gainsay that the seed here
planted may not produce other men like
Bell with the telephone, Howe with the
sewing machine, Mccormick with the rea-
per, Whitney with the cotton gin, Edicon
with the phonograph and division of the
electric current, Bunsen and Kirch-
hoff with the spectroscope, Marconi with
the wireless teiegraphy, or what is just as
important, enable them to demonstrate
the fallacy of Keely and his vibratory
force? Perchance within our limits may
be lurking another Longfellow, Tennyson,
Browning, Balzac, Scott, Dickens or
Thackeray. In short as the State teaches,
the growing generations to read and re-
fleet, we representing the State must pro-
vide proper proper food for their minds to
feed upon. a
'sWhile the history of this institution IS
yet to be written, it would be unwise in
this crowded hall to detain you standing
and listening to q mass of details that
may more easily be grasped at your
leisure. I will therefore only state a few
of the pertinent facts to which VT attri-
butte the phenomenal successes we have
attained.
Through our fourteen delivery stations
we have brought the more remote sec
tions of our city in daily touch with the
library. We have satisfied the wants of
the public by providing the latest works
both in literature and science.
1--WE have advanced more intimate re-
lations between the public and the Ii
brary through the method of selecting
reur employees by competitive examination
and strict enforcement of civil service
rules. From the inception of the library
no ''don'ts" have disfigured our walls and
the cases have been relatively few where
it has been necessary to call attntion to
infractions of proprieties.
Unity of action upon the part of the
of the whole, upon the simplest question.
The work of the Trustees has indeed been
labor of love- Early and late with
out other reward than that resulting
from assumed responsibility, they have
given their time and labor, and tonight
formally present this building and con-
tents to the city as trust, well, an VT
believe, faithfully performed
We stand with per capita circulation
among the leading libraries of the world.
Our shelf list embraces works of rare
value, while our Poole reference works
are tqualled but by few other institutions
of like nature.
II cannot close without word of COM
mendation to the librarian and staff for
their hard. faithful and earnest work
during the moving period through which
we have just passed Early and late they
have labored diligently to bring the IL
brary into the finished condition which
you see tonight The work of the archi-
tects and contractors speak for them
selves. 1t is beyond invidious criticism.
tAnd now, Mr. Mayor I am sure you
appreciate my personal feelings when, on
behalf of the Trustees of the Free Public
Library of Jersey City, present to you,
as the representative of our city govern
ment, the consummation of our work.
When the applause which gretted the
Doctors address subsided Mayor Hoos
stepped to the front of the ais and said
"Mr President Honorable Trustees of
the Free Public Library, Ladies and
Gentlemen
''In accepting, on behalf of the people Of
Jersey City, this beautiful edifce, I do it
with feeling of pride, pleasure and
gratitude. Through the untiring efforts,
the energetic and united action of the
Board Of Free Public Library Trustees.
this building which three years ago was
beyond our fondest dreams, has been
erected, and much credit is due to you,
Mr.. President. Through your perseverance
the city is not only enriched by one of the
most handsome buildings in the State SO
far as architecture is concerned, but its
entire equipment is modern and up TO
date.
Here the public who desire to gain
knowledge may read good books ard
everything has been faultlessly arranged
for their comfort and convenience. All
can honestly and justly say, Well done.
good and faithful servants" Mr.. Presi-
dent, you will pardon me if at this time
trespass on a field which may be embar-
RAISING to you, but duty compels me, not
as Mayor of the city, but as man to man