The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1912-04-09

10 North Carolina IN 1898 by George
Durant- and IL i mistake no; is now
in the library OF the University Of
North Carolina at Chapel Hin.
The Rev. Thes. Bray. about l7el.
sent to this colony a small library Of
books. which Or, Weeks estimated to
be worth 'about a hundred. pounds
This library by Or. Bray was ~stab-
lished in Bath and was incorporated
in 1905. BY his es,a adjustment. IN
Bath which was not the seat Of gov
eminent. the gif, OF Or. Bray was rem
dereu useless 10 the Clergy for whose
benefit Il was chiefly ~
library should have been at Queen
Anne.s Creek. now called Edenton.
1t seems TO have suffered froua neg
iect and blythe hands OF yancals who
neither knew its value nor cared for
its contents" Rainsford in l7lo. tells
us that it had all been lost BY those
wretcheS who knew not u. hcnent OF
so valuable d Gift.
What a wonderful change from
1870 up to the present time. when
even the smallest school district in
North Carolina has a better library
now than the one established hy Or.
Bray. MY friends. | wish to say tina
beginning vim the administration OF
! Governor Av,ock. followed by lis sue
49, tiIth anu aS~ISltd IN 1T.
JoyneT ana his to-uorkerS. there has
been a revolution along educational
lines in North Carolina. This new
impetus TO education in North Caro-
lima became very necessary because
of h Constitutional amendment
enacted in cur State. which proved
an educational uplift to ali "nr peo-
pie. Or. JoSner and his co-workers
nave not neglected rural libraries,
NV 4 n y ,A1 -, r. St A.
public school libraries. 4 living monu-
ment TO the work of the office Of
Superintendent Of Public instruction.
1t IS needless 10 say that the fore
going is positive evidence that the
public library as a civic Investment"
is a paying one. Excuse me for
treSpaSSlnS on your time and
patience; l feel a great interest IN this
matter, and count library work AS a
part and parcel of education. and ]
Will make a prophecy and those OF
you who ma be spared through the
next decade Will please remember II,
that if the educational work in North
Carolina is carried on as il is now
our grand old State viii be in the
front rank with the leading States OF
our country. The work is being done
without regard to party, race. or sect.
but for the public good. ! wish TO
say to u friends from other states
that ours is a great State. and in ad
dition to our fair and patriotic
women. we can raise anything from
rice and peanuts UP to cotton. Colo
mines. iron ores, grapes, apples
, peaches. etc, are numerous. and n
the rate We are going We viii SOoT
be the leading State in cotton mill:
! and other mills. III ract. as Nose:
said to Hobab. Come thou and ge
with US and we VIII do thee good.
Now if YOU do not wish to be made
, President Of the United States. yot
, had better move to North Carolina
a for our State has already furnished
three Presidents, via our daughter
, Tennessee. So to be made Iresiden'
4 YOU have to leave North Carolina. II
> however, YOU wish to come TO tht
hub Of progress, come TO the "Tal
Heel State. You have been made
welcome to this Queen City and
e feel sure YOU will enjoy ii: YOU ar
also welcome to the entire State
Come and visit the State Library. +
I in this brief Introduction Of The Pub
lie Library as a Civic Investment
, l. have repeated anything. rtmem
: Der hat a good thing is worth re
9 peating.