FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Evening Post, Volume X, Issue 203, 14 October 1874, Page 2

FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY. TO THE EDITOR OF THE EVENING POST.

Sib— Will yon permit; me to say a few words respecting the sense of the ratepayers being taken for or against establishing a free library in this city. I have read the correspondence that has lately appeared in your paper upon the subject, yet I do not think the question has been fairly ventilated, and wishing for information, I wish to ask a fear questions. Does it follow that a free* library cannot be established without a direct tar being imposed upon the ratepajers to maintain it ? Will the act hot admit of a free library being established by the Provincial Council, and afterwards maintained by an endowment from the came Council, properly administered by trustees? If the act admits of the above coarse being adopted, is' it not the' wisest coaree, inasmuch as the whole of the population of the province would receive a great benefit, and the citizens only should not be called upon to support so desirable an institution for the benefit of the whole province.- What man in his right mind, unless those who would be affected in trade speculations, would object to see a properly conducted free library in our midst? Would not a free library do a great deal towards making hoinea happy, and diffusing that knowledge so desirable in so young and rising a population as ours ? Would not the reputation gained by having such an institution reflect back upon this province in many ways? Morally and substantially the meanß of maintenance, even though it should be a small tax, would it not lend a tone to society generally, aad be one of the '

greatest; safeguards against the vices and allurements of our youthful population ? Would ib not be gratifyirg to parents to know that their children had such a place to resort to, instead of being tempted tjo resorts of questionable character aad reputation, which tend to contract instead of expanding the mind, and often lead to a miserable end? Is it a wise policy to tighten the reins of good efforts at snch a start to progress, when by bo doing we can only maintain a second or third place in the race of provinces, instead of taking and keeping the lead ? In conclusion, I think the sanitary improvements of the city, as mentioned by your late correspondents, are apart altogether from this subject, as I cannot think that by giving people the means of instruction, you prevent them seeing the necessity of attending to any necessary requirements or improvements that common sense would dictate. Respecting the penalty of a small rate upon ratepayers, I would recommend an antidote for those who objsot, that is, when the library is established, for all who can to avail themselves of its advantages, and I believe that those who do so will at the end of the year find themselves in funds to pay the rates and a balance left for the bank. I am, &c, 0. F. Worth.