The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-07-31

ommendation Of the teachers. After
examining the volume the editor Of
the Irish Standard condemned it on
the ground that it was not At and
of any library supported by public
taxation, Each member Of the library
board received a marked copy of this
paper, and though there was not a
Catholic among them they ousted the
book on the first opportunity A
lady member of the board, however,
voted for its retention on the ground
that persons were entitled to read ev-
cry side of question, but at the fol-
lowing election she was defeated AMI
relegated to private life, and since then
has not served In any public capacity.
Not only was the Objectionable book
withdrawn from circulation and ex-
cluded from the public library, but
Prof. Hosmer, who was the librarian
at the time, suggested to the editor Of
the Irish Standard to make out list
Of Catholic publications so that tn.
Catholics Of Minneapolis could use
them at public expense instead of buy
ing them with their own money. The
editor referred the matter to one OF
the leading Catholic priests Of the city
who said he would furnish list to
the librarian, but he failed to do so
from that day to this. and if there are
no Catholic books in the local public
library and its branches throughout
the city. he alone is to blame 1t may
be we'll to state In this connection
that the priest in question has not re-
sided in the city for the past seven
years.
The Irish citizens of Minneapoli
have no reason to complain that there
is no Irish literature in the public
library. There is a fine Irish collection
which was purchased at the solicita-
ton Of Alderman McHale, many Of
''tS o"oAS OSAiS very Id1 e anu ullllCulI
to get. and we venture to assert that
not dozen Irishmen in the city have
ever seen them. The fact of the mat
ter is that the Catholics, and espe-
cially the Irish Catholics, have beaa
afforded every chance to have all the
Catholic reading they want in the
Minneapolis public library But the
question arises: DO Catholics ever
ask for Catholic books in the public
library?" AS Mr.. Merrill says. when
librarians are reproached for the small
number of Catholic books to be found
on their shelves they reply by saying
that Catholic books are not called for
No wonder the Catholic authors be-
come discouraged. The more Catholic
books are read the more will be writ
ten and the greater the compensation
to the writer's. Many who would see
Catholic books in public libraries may
wish to own them and SO order them
from Catholic book stores or from
the publishers. Those who buy Cath
Ollie books think the prices are high,
and SO they are; but the way to get
them cheaper is to have Catholics read
more Catholic literature than they are
doing. Catholic publishers could az
ford to sell cheaper If their sales were
largely increased, and Catholic writ
ers would be in greater demand if tho
products Of their pens were more ap-
preciated by Catholics.
Not only should every intelligent
Catholic be reader Of the Catholic
press, but he should also be the proud
possessor Of a Catholic library, no
matter how small, in order to Ike 10
pace with the requirements of the
2oth century. When a Protestant asks
Catholic for book explaining the
doctrines Of the ancient church and
Is Informed that he has not any book
on the subject, is it any wonder that
the inquirer after truth will say to
himself that DR.. Josiah Strong is not
much astray when he says in "Our
Country" that in the Catholic church,
Ignorance is the mother Of devotion %
The time has come when Catholic
laymea should not leave all the work
Of conversion to the priests. The lay
men can reach many persons who
never come in contact with the Cath
Ole clergy, and In this age the laymen
need to be well instructed In their
faith.
SOLDIERS By coMPuLsloN.
The British army is numerically
small in comparison with continental