Smyrna times., 1902-02-05
TCOMMUNICATED.l
More "Free Library"

SMYRNA has never Deen KNOWN "
pattern after other towns and long
since learned the art of attending to
her own affairs She has been indie
pendent and should be in this case.
The Library tax for Smyrna is double
that for Dover, and Dover has never
provided for her people as Smyrna has
done, viz: a Library and Reading
Room for 81. 90 year. But if we want
au example, suppose we take the sun
of our intellectual system, Whining
ton, which rejected the new law en-
tirely.
We know what $50 much on a dol ar |
mednS." The mill tax mentioned in
the first newspaper discussion, by its
advocates, as to what the new move
ment would require and which was re-
ferred to as only 7 mill, would raise
about what the fair promoters of the
plan said. In the first place they must
have, viz: $4,000, which means in
creaslng last years taxes One-fOurth.
1t would take from $1.00 to $50 90
those pushing this scheme feel entirely
satisfied not to ''do unto others as they
would be done by?" In treating the
tax matter we have to estimate what
might be done at any time when a
good-natured Town Council may be
unable to resist importantly for high
rates, even if only / mill should be
granted just now, for this is a law,
hard and fast, and cannot be undone
by vote of the town, once it is adop-
ted.
The bill as introduced to the public
spoke of only one tax, viz: mot Tess
than 25 cents nor more than 81. 90 for
each COtd6ic pOU," but when the bill
has taken the form of lar it is found
to contain tax on property as well as
on the head. Was this fair to those
who were in favor of the bill as a head
! tax and made no opposition to its pas
sage? Surely the public here has been
misled aud there was some jugglery
= somewhere. But of Why's" "Bug-
!, abOs?" If the environment will prac-
ticallv exclude him from attendance,
! how can he be justly taxed for this OBJ
ject? But if he does appear, as no
:. doubt he will, then will the Smyrna
Free Library be '1aid upon the shelf
r sure enough.
! Fairness, justice and safety for one
! and all would be to canvass the town,
sell few shares of stock to obtain new
books to start with (having as many of
: the private clubs as will do so con
- tribute their books and to secure an
nual subscriptions at $1.00 each tC
. maintain the Library and open the
Reading Rooms in the evenings.
. the young men are to pay $1.0O would
IA they not prefer paying it of their owl
- free will rather than be taxed for tn,
. amount?
No one opposes a Library and Read
ing Room, and all wish it to be 81
managed as to be available to the poo
as we'll as the rich. But very many d.
oppose the taxation plan for support
ing it, because 1t bears too unequall
OF upon the people; because it is compul
"a sorry, when that is not necessary here
nt and because it is exceedingly danger
"a Gus, for reasons already limited at
g Our people would respond to an appes
lts for voluntary help for the Library
ng they never refused, did they? An
MS who were liberal enough to provide th
vi present Library at O cost of sewers
'o- thousand dollars, without hope of re
"h turn, but the property holders of th
time? Yet-"Why" has numerou
or sneers for that same class. Iu refel
ort ence to this object at least, most rea
Aa- soning persons live up to their pri
lal ileges in giving when they have it
ian give and feel it a pleasure to do so.
seq doubt if there is a property owner
me Smyrna if asked but would give hi
Use mite.
ore If fathers, mothers and sisters wOul
be make their homes attractive for the
IN sons they could then leave their cor
on Portable homes and go to church
nat their comfortable clothes feeling cor
fortably assured their sons were not
ach be found on street corners and
on alley-wa Let the boys have a roo
oil, for their own with books, games al
ays music and sometimes let their mothe
lol- and sisters enter into their enjoyme
by passing some light refreshment
in Sucn place would empty the sire
and corners and alleyways of your sons
For least. Pro Bono PUB1ICo
'uld
ills;
I