The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-10-08
Gaines Librarians

Gaines librarians
The sensation which the publica-
ton of Hall Gaines new novel "The
Woman Thou aGayest Me-" created
In England when the libraries there
refused to supply it. is being repeat
ed In this country. The Mercantile
Library, of Philadelphia, have de-.
finitely barred the hook from their
shelves, and other libraries have
stated their intention to do likewise.
The book Is now the center Of heated
controversy, and Is being violently
attacked, and as vigorously defend
ed. VI. =
Many clergymen and other prom
inent people are enthusiastic in
their praise OF the high purpose Of
the book. whereas. others declare it
immoral in tone. Everywhere that
books are read "The Woman Thou
Gavest Me" seems to be the sole sub
ject Of discussion, which resolves it.
self down to the Question,-what
constitutes an immoral novel? Mr..
Hall Caine. who expects to visit Am
erica shortly, will no doubt have
much to say on the question when
he arrives, as mis- vigorous state
ments to the press in England placed
his book in new light before many
readers who might otherwise have
been influenced by the adverse de-
cision Of the librarians. The follow
ing letter was received by his pub
fishers, and trenchantly illumines
the subject.
II am quite panied and surprised
to hear that a number of American
libraries have placed a ban on my
latest book "The Woman Thou
Gavest Me-" and have called it an
immoral tale despite the moral les
son that I desire to teach. It, of
course, makes little difference to me
whether few thousand more or less
of my work are bought for library
circulation. What does matter, is
that a novel which / have written
with all the resources of my brain
and all the forces of my soul should
now be denied an audience which
specially desire to reach-the large
and sincere audience that depend for
their literature on the great Free
Libraries of your county. belonged
to that audience myself in England
in my youth and early manhood, and
hence it would be a lasting grief
to me to feel that in the judgment Of.
even a few librarians Ihad written a
book which was not fit for such read
ers as I was forty years ago. 5
I'm the great world of books the
Free Libraries occupy the place of
eustodians OF the public conscience.
When they came across book of
doubtful character 1t is right and
proper that they should examine, in
to, 1t and find whether it is fit, for
public circulation, but in order to-
see how difficult and dangerous the
task of the librarians as censors Of
morals is they have only to reflect
on the vast number of books which
were excluded by their predecessors
sandaare now lent without restriction
by the libraries every day. mention
in that connection a few books that
are now considered to be among the
,nohlest In all literature such as adam
z Bede',, "Jane Eyre Anna Kar-
emma" "Resurrection,s "Tess,"
Jude, and others that have all
been subjected to the librarians
ban.
The truth is that morality is de-
yeloping and that not the process
Of time, merely, or the triumph Of
literary art by the broadening sense
OF moral responsibility is operating
to reverse the verdicts which were
pronounced against some OF the
books Of the past. Hence /. say that
in the exercise Of the censorship the
librarians are running the risk OF
grieYous error and Of impeding the
nrnUrnoo NJ tho n,,Ihlic mora ifv