Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-09-28

boast. But in all fairness we can say
that Augusta has always done well what
she undertakes TO do and l am sure that
as citizens of Augusta we feeel proud
that we have made this unique record,
record which Will be pointed to in the
future many times.
May / now summarize the work of the
committee.
When we began it was suggested
that $4,000 would be sufficient but we
were not long in finding out that 1t
would not be. No building could be
built for that sum were it TO contain
those details which we felt should be
provided for the sake of the present
and of the future. A location suitable
for ii would cost a most substantial
sum. II our minds we rose TO twice
$4,000 speedily. Your committee had
TO work slowly and the problem SEEM
ed exceedingly difficult to solve. Then
to our joy on May IA. 1912, came the
pledge to give a $4,000 building 9TH
ers would give a lot $4,000 for equip
ment and $4,000 for an endowment
fund. How quickly the shadows fled
from the way and we walked in the
Frightening light of dawn Entnusi-
asm and courage kindled. In response
to that offer we obtained pledges
amounting TO $47 ,3S5 OF this sum two
were for $4,000 each, one for $500, one
for $4,000. two for $500 each, seven
for $500 each, six for $3.50 each, three
for 5000 each, two for $3.50 each, Il for
800 each and 125 for various sums I'M
der slC0. There was a gift of a piano
of the value 70 $3.50. or these pledges
all but 1929 have been paid, or pay
ment provided fer We believe that the
unpaid pledges will be. We wish they
might all be as was one yesterday by
a good friend in Chicago. The letter
among it's kindly expressions said: Il
am enclosing my check for double the
amount pledged and the check was
$1,000. We have received in interest on
deposits pending the construction of
the work s5739S, from sale of the old
house $500, and from rent of house
while standing s44 The lot cost $13,-
coo. We have put in the endowment
fund cash or equivalent $4,000. The
furnishings cost s9S75. The committee
will continue until the last few details
are cared for and we prophesy that
the association will begin its work
with no debt.
The city of Augusta through its city
government has shown its deep inter-
est in the cause by providing the
walks about the lot, installing the
beautiful lights for the entrances,
grading the street in front of the
building and identifying with lights
this, our finest civic square.
What the committee delivers to your
trustees tonight is beyond its fondest
dreams when it began to work. How
could ii have been done? Because Au-
gusta had need of just this thing; be-
cause the cause appeals to one with
unique compelling force; because it was
approached in the broadcast spirit, the
spirit of the Master and true religion;
because there were unselfish public spirit
and generous hearts; because the citizens
of Augusta believe in the future of her
boys and girls.
With these motives were contributions
made in order that there might be erected
in this community a building over the
entrance to which might be carved the
letters Y. NJ. C. A. To all. to those who
were able to do much and did it, and to
those who gave according to their ability.
to one and all the committee expresses
its heartfelt thanks. But the committee
wishes and it is I know the wish of you
all, that the wife and son of Governor
Hill, who was himself member OF our
committee and deeply interested in It's
work, should know how grateful we are
for their gift of the building. In their
letter to us were used the words "at
cost not to exceed s5O,O0o' but the build
ing with their approval mas cost $74, 200.
on the morning of June 49, 1873 when
the work actually began with the tear
ing down of the old building on the lot
there was long row of young boys of
varying ages sitting on the edge of the
lawn of the Lithgow Library watching
intently the proceedings. AS l passed I
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