The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-04-30
OCALA,S PUBLIC LIBRARY

OCALA's PUBLIC LIBRARY
We are led to this important, inter |
esting and profitable subject by see
ing in a paper q cut OF the magnificent
new library building in New York City
that cost a million and more and took
thirteen years in building and getting
ready for public use. This is to en-
phasize the good opinion the people
Of the metropolis have of the needs
and uses Of a public library.
Ocala's needs are just as great and
imperative along these lines as they
are in the metropolis OF the land. Ev-
cry argument is in favor Of library,
where there is one against ii. We be-
lieve the people who pay the taxes in
Ocala are in favor of library. We
base our opinion in the matter from
the fact that three years ago at the
instance of the officers of the Ocala
Library Association. we canvassed the
town with a petition requesting their
consent to be taxed to support a Ii
brary and appealing to the council to
endorse said petition, 50 that ii could
be sent to our representatives in Tai
lahassee to secure legislation empoW-
ering our council to levy said tax.
That petition contained a large ma
jority Of the names Of the taxpayers
of Ocala favoring taxation for a IL
brary.
Hearing nothing OF the petition we
made inquiry Of Hon. Geo. G. Mathews,
one OF our representative, why ii was
not acted on so that Ocala could go
ahead and secure a library His an
swer was that his partner in the legis-
latures Hon. F.. l.. Wartmann, said such
legislation would be an injury instead
Of a benefit to the city. as such in
stitution. opened by the taxation Of
white and colored citizens. would per-
nit the latter to overrun the building
and defeat the very object for whic0
1t was established. With this obstacle
in the way, nothing We done.
1t remained for Hon. w D. earn,
in thA session OF 1908, TO secure the
library clause for, Ocala. Now. when
the city council is about to vote on the
second reading of the city ordinance
empowering that body 10 levy a tax
for the support Of the library, in steps
some one. who is poisoning the ears
of some Of our aldermen with the
absurd and untruthful yarn that the
free library project in some Florida
town was tried and that it has to be
abandoned to the negro element of the
place.
All this is a mean and false repre-
sentation Of the question. SO far as
know there is only one city in
Florida outside Of college towns that
has availed itself Of Mr.. Carnegies
liberality to found library, and that
city Is Jacksonville. She has tried the
free library scheme with success and
If any person doubts this statement
all we ask it for said person to con-
suit Librarian Utley Of Jacksonville
and he will tell them that the nsti-
tuition is open to whites and blacks on
the same terms and that neither race
interferes or comes in contact with
the other. Each have their separate
roomss and in Jacksonville there is nc
case OF the black overrunning the Ii
library and destroying it's usefulness
Jacksonville's history has grown il
popular favor and usefulness until il
is an asset of that growing city ant
an institution to which it's citizens
point with pride.
We have investigated the conditions
OF the Carnegie free library in Atlanta
which is the New York Of the South
and no such conditions as these parties
are trying to make our aldermen be.
lieve exist.
It's SURPRISING strange that when.
ever an institution Is attempted il
this county that is intended to benefit
the human race, irrespective Of race
or previous conditions. all man has
to do to down and damn il, it to shou,
niger" Persons who are guilty Of
such perversion and deteSt able acts
are neither worthy OF credence or the
attention of a self respecting people.
We also understand. far as we
can learn, that there is only one mar
who opposes. the library on the ground
Of taxation and the amount sought
was insufficient to support it to bring
beneficial results. But that is only az
opinion of one man.
The editor Of the Star says let tn.
council go ahead and levy a tax t.
support a library After We have en-
joyed Its elevating and ennobling eff
fects for five years. we would not par
with it for ten times the taxes it will
cost.
The library is not specially FOL
grown people; we have had our day
But it Is for the boys and girls Of tn.
hour and days to come to teach them
and inculcate in them a taste for goot
books the best friends they can have
in the world. Their counsel, advice
and inspiration will sustain, strength
en- and confirm them in good, whole
some ideas and purposes, make then
Intelligent, thoughtful and cons truct
i've citizens, aroused to the purpose OF
speaking and working for every goot
purpose: good for them and good fol
those with whom they life to Great.
a purer. cleaner and better city.
For these and hundred other equal.
ly as important reasons the Star is
In favor Of a free library system anG
appeals to every thoughtful and con
siderate alderman to vote for the Ii
brary tax, and in doing so honor him
self and the city in which he pride:
himself
The circuit court convenes in Ocals
May 9Th.