USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Newton > Town of Newton annual report 1875 Vol. 1 > Part 11
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There is another powerful agency at work in the mental training of our children, to which I may be permitted to allude ; and that is to our cultivated New England pulpit. Beyond its legitimate office, as the interpreter of God's word to man, and as a divine embassage, bearing a gospel of grace to sinning souls, our pulpit, with its well-trained ministry, has had no
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ADDRESS OF REV. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE, D.D.
small share in the intellectual training of the people ; in awakening mental life in the community, in devel- oping general intelligence, and in arousing a whole- some ambition for higher education and liberal learning
Then comes the public school, the pride and defence of our republic. It is not for me to disparage this institution as it exists to-day in our city. It compares well with any similar system in the country. Doubt- less it is open to criticism, and capable of great im- provement. Changes, some of them quite radical, are already going on in our schools. It is an era of revo- lutions ; but they are transpiring silently, and without violence or open demonstration, which is by far the most hopeful form of their introduction. In ten years, as we look back, we shall be surprised at the real progress which has been made.
Our school-edifices are our chief public buildings. They are structures of which we have no occasion to be ashamed. With one or two exceptions, they are as grateful to the eye, as they are well adapted to the service they are called to render. While some of our sister cities, by the accumulation of a heavy debt, have expended as much money, nearly, upon one high- school building as all our school-edifices have cost, we have as comfortable, as graceful, and as well appointed schoolhouses, as the Commonwealth affords. For two generations, at least, our wooden structures will meet all our necessities.
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ADDRESS OF REV. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE, D.D.
But after the public school, what ? A large portion of our youths finish their school education with the grammar department. They never enter the high school. Many leave before they reach the highest grammar classes. Their minds have simply been developed. They have learned how to read, think,
and study. They know but little; but they have secured the rudiments of all knowledge. Without higher schools or college, there is no limit to their prog- ress in literature or science, if they are studious, and the means are at hand. Here comes the open door of the Free Public Library, soliciting their newly awakened intellectual appetites with every variety of tempting food. If habits of reading and study are not formed, they will lose, through lack of exercise, nearly every thing that they have gained; and the schools will be blamed, as they have been, for profiting them in nothing. But, if their tastes are awakened and culti- vated, there is no limit, but life, to their possible attain- ments. The British nobleman, who was so surprised to find the son of his gardener reading La Place's " Méchanique céleste," received a significant answer from him to his question, " How did you become able to read and comprehend the work of this great mathe- matician ?" " What more does a person need to begin with than a knowledge of the alphabet?" was the expressive answer.
But the library creates a higher intellectual taste in the community. It becomes a popular university
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ADDRESS OF REV. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE, D.D.
with all its professional schools. If the community depends upon the incidental reading that comes to hand, its time will be squandered over newspapers, periodicals, and the least wholesome and elevating of the innumerable works of fiction, thrown out in cheap forms from the press. But where a large, well-selected library proffers it free opportunities, and where the intellectual tone of the whole community has been inspired and elevated by its rich treasures, a line of instructive reading, in some branch most in accordance with the taste of the youth, will soon be chosen and pursued, greatly to the profit of the reader. It is the almost universal experience of those in charge of public libraries, that while at first works of fiction, and these not of the most select and improving char- acter, are in large demand, the taste for them gradually wanes, as readers become impressed with the breadth and value, and interest also, of more substantial works. Then works of science and art, biography and history, philosophy and poetry, have their opportunity, and are eagerly sought to administer their better nutriment to the thoroughly awakened appetite for knowledge. It is thus impossible to overestimate the value to the city, in all its coming generations, of such a noble contri- bution as this Library to its educational instrumen- talities.
It is a pleasant thought, that, unless some terrible fire should sweep over this portion of the city, the edifice we are now reconsecrating to a broader field
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ADDRESS OF REV. BRADFORD K. PEIRCE, D.D.
of its predestined province of public education, will survive the century upon which we are now entering. The surrounding, somewhat unsubstantial edifices will have accomplished their services, and been superseded by others; but this substantial pile - of granite, as graceful in its proportions as it is solid in material, will remain, to bear down to our successors a most significant symbol of the generosity and public spirit of our citizens, and of the culture of our city at the opening of its municipal life. It may require, as we hope it will, enlargement through the steady growth of its invaluable contents ; but its sturdy walls will admit of another story, and in front new halls - corre- sponding with the beautiful one in which we are now gathered, and preserving the fine architectural propor- tions of the graceful building-may be erected; but . the original structure itself will stand as the unbroken link between the centennial era eighteen hundred and seventy-six, and its, we hope, even more prosperous successor near the close of nineteen hundred.
As Mr. Peirce resumed his seat, the mayor proceeded as follows : -
No enterprise of any importance, however well endowed financially, will achieve its full measure of success, unless there is some one person who has the time, the disposition, and the ability to largely take the lead in the necessary thought and hours of un- known and unrequited labor; but, fortunately, this undertaking was favored with one whose qualifications
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ADDRESS OF MR. FARLOW.
for the place were only excelled by his devotion to the interests of this Library, and who, for the first four years, presided over the deliberations of the Trustees. I refer to George H. Jones, Esq.
On learning that Mr. Jones was not present, being detained at home by severe illness, the Mayor called on J. S. Farlow in his stead.
ADDRESS OF MR. FARLOW.
I cheerfully respond, Mr. Mayor, to your call on me to fill the vacancy in these proceedings, caused by the absence of Mr. Jones. You could not have asked me to fill the place of a worthier man, or one who has done more for this Library ; and I assure you, sir, it will afford me great pleasure to do what I can to make his place good here to-night.
I will not, sir, attempt to follow on the line so ably marked out by the gentlemen who have preceded me, but will, with your permission, indulge in some reminis- cences of the earlier days of the Library, not so much for the laudation of those whose efforts have been so successful in its establishment, as for the purpose of holding up those efforts as an example for others to follow, in the establishment, in our city, of other insti- tutions of like beneficent character, and to convince them that earnest, persistent effort in such labors will be crowned with like success.
Notwithstanding the gratification the Managers of
32
ADDRESS OF MR. FARLOW.
the Library cannot but feel at this happy consumma- tion of their labors, there is to them a tinge of sadness in the proceedings here to-night, - a feeling, sir, some- what akin to that experienced by fond parents when surrendering a beloved daughter to the husband of her choice ; for however well assured they may be in their minds and hearts, that, in so doing, they are promoting her greatest good, there is, nevertheless, the sadness and pain of separation. So with these Mana- gers; for, perfectly assured as they are that the greatest good of the Library will be promoted by its surrender here to you to-night, they yet feel the sad- ness of a separation from the pleasant cares of many years.
I shall never forget, sir, and I do not think any of those who were present will ever forget, the meetings held in Mr. Bacon's parlor in the early days of this enterprise. The doubts and misgivings that all felt more or less, as to their ability to raise a sum suf- ficiently large to procure what every one present at those meetings admitted to be a necessity of the town ; viz., a good library building, library, and reading- room, that should be free to the whole town; and whether, if such were established, could or would their use and benefits be availed of and appreciated by the whole town, composed as it was of so many scattered villages. Fortunately for us, sir, these doubts and fears, and many others that arose from time to time, were dispelled and overcome. A favorable oppor-
33
ADDRESS OF MR. FARLOW.
tunity offered to obtain this eligible site; and a few brave spirits at once subscribed the means, and se- cured it.
Matters rested thus for a while, until the offer of a munificent conditional donation was made by our friend here on my right This gave renewed vitality to the project. The offer was gratefully accepted, and promptly responded to by contributions more than sufficient to fulfil the conditions of our friend's gift, and to an amount large enough to cover the estimated cost of the building and library. Before the building was completely finished, however, it was found that in this, as is very often the case with other undertakings, the actual had exceeded the estimated cost; and those engaged in it learned, very much to their disappoint- ment, that they were likely to have a completed building without complete means for meeting its cost. This was somewhat embarrassing, to be sure. But in no wise discouraged, and acting upon the idea,
" That those would now give Who had not given before, And those who had always given Would give the more,"
they started a new subscription, and succeeded in obtaining the needed funds. The building proceeded on to completion ; the library and reading-room were supplied with the requisite books, periodicals, and newspapers; the corporation was duly organized under
34
ADDRESS OF MR. FARLOW.
legislative charter; by-laws, rules, and regulations were enacted; and the library and reading-room thrown open free to the whole town.
Here, then, was an apparent fruition of the hopes of those who initiated and carried through the enterprise ; not really so, however, in the opinion of the Managers. They realized the fact that the work could not fairly be considered as complete, until suitable provision had been made for its future maintenance and improve- ment for a term sufficiently long enough to demon- strate the correctness of their early decision, that a free library was a necessity of the town. The longest term of service for which any of the managers were elected was five years. For such a period, at least, the Managers felt it incumbent on them to provide at once the necessary funds. But how and where were these to be obtained? Every gentleman here to-night who has ever had the honor and good fortune to serve as a solicitor of contributions knows full well the labor and difficulties attendant even on a first application. Here was a case, however, where the field of contribution had, it was thought, been pretty well reaped on & first application, and, to all appearance, been closely gleaned on the second. What hope, therefore, could there be in attempting a third ? Discussions in repeated meetings of the Managers afforded no solution of the difficulty. Reports of sub-committees appointed to consider and devise, if possible, some course likely to prove success- ful, failed to present any. Matters seemed far from en-
35
ADDRESS OF MR. FARLOW.
couraging. It was in this state of affairs, that at one of the meetings, the President drew from his pocket a letter, which he said had been addressed to him by a secret anonymous friend of the Library. That letter, sir, contained a gift of four thousand dollars to the Library. The turning-point was reached. The read- ing of that letter electrified all present: liberal sub- scriptions immediately followed, and in a very few days the whole amount required was obtained. It was some time, sir, before even the Managers knew who this secret friend was; and, to this day, very few in Newton know to whom they are indebted for this timely gift. We owe a great deal, sir, to all those, who, by their labors and contributions, have aided in achieving and perfecting this work ; but to three men pre-eminently belong the honor and credit of its successful accomplishment; and these deserve special mention here to-night.
I would name first our esteemed friend, the President of the Board of Managers, Hon. J. Wiley Edmands, whose munificent donation gave such vitality to the work at the outset, and whose continuous labors have so materially aided us throughout.
Next in order is our absent friend, the first President of the Board of Managers, George H. Jones, Esq , whose unremitting zeal, clear, concise judgment, and unswerv- ing fidelity to the cause, did so much to make success sure. I sincerely regret, sir, that he could not be with us to-night to take his proper part in these proceedings.
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ADDRESS OF MR. FARLOW.
Third on this roll of honor is the secret anonymous friend of whom I have spoken, John C. Chaffin, Esq. A liberal, open donor before, his secret gift at a critical time clinched the nail of success so well driven by the others before.
Now, sir, you have the work completed here before you to-night. Here it is : let it speak for itself. The Managers here and now present this Newton Free Li- brary to you in the very flood-tide of its prosperity : they ask of you, sir, and of your associates of the City Council, and of your successors in office, the hearty, generous support such an institution deserves. Make it, sir, what it has been so well described by others here to-night to be, -a powerful adjunct of the educational system of our city. Give it that support, sir; give it, also, at all times, the close personal supervision so necessary to keep it pure. Hold it, as it is now, and has always been, high above all sectarian, political, and extraneous influences whatsoever. Allow no narrow views to militate against the good influences it should at all times exert on the community. Give it these, and depend upon it, sir, its success in the future will be as well assured as is its present, so manifest here to-night.
NOTE. - Mr. Jones has very kindly, at the request of the Mayor, furnished a copy of the remarks intended to have been made by him, had he been able to be present at the meeting; and we insert them here, very properly, as a part of the history of the Library.
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ADDRESS OF MR. JONES.
ADDRESS OF MR. JONES.
MR. MAYOR, -I thank you for the kind words you have spoken relative to my connection with the estab- lishment of this Library. You are not mistaken as to my devotion to its interests, however much you may have overrated the value of my labor. The discharge of no public trust has ever given me so much pleasure as has resulted from the positions I have occupied by the favor of those gentlemen who were the pioneers in the establishment, and the constant friends of the perfection of this eminently successful institution.
No official position was ever conferred by a constitu- ency whose support was more confiding than that which gave to the Building Committee full powers as to the erection of the building and the preliminary steps in the organization.
The citizens of Newton have ever recognized that public benefits require public benevolence, and that the giving must precede the enjoyment of the benefit. This was eminently true in the case of our Library. Once and again large sums were called for, and in both instances more was given than asked ; and while, in most cases of the kind, many subscriptions fail of collection, we only lost on collections one hundred and ten dollars on about sixty-five thousand. This amount was given by about three hundred persons, in sums from five dollars to sixteen thousand ; and who shall
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ADDRESS OF MR. JONES.
say that many of the small subscriptions were not as costly as the larger ones to the donors ?
I claim it, sir, as one of the crowning glories of the establisment of this Library, that it was thus built and furnished, and that so many can feel, in future years, that, by their assistance, this Free Public Library was established. And now, sir, it has become the Free City Library of Newton, by free and unconditional gift.
I rejoice at this consummation, and shall ever rejoice in its increasing usefulness and enlargement. This will come from the requirement of an intelligent commu- nity, which ever seeks the improvement of existing benefits, and also from an intelligent city government, deriving, in large measure, that wisdom which gives value to its action from the stored knowledge and cul- ture in these alcoves.
You have alluded to all who have been associated as managers during the time since the permanent or- ganization. Permit me to say that Newton never fails to find men suitable for her work. In this case, it has been eminently true that men have been found who were always in harmony; and I trust the institution has felt the value of this fact, and I believe it to be true, also, that each has striven to advance its interests.
It is, sir, a source of satisfaction to the many friends of this Library, that it has received, in the past, your pecuniary and moral support ; and to-day we are grati- fied to recognize by your words, that, in your official
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ADDRESS OF MR. JONES.
capacity, you will extend to it that recognition which accords with its' increasing necessities, as the rapid growth in population and influence of the city shall seem to demand.
Most truly has it been said by the gentleman, who, as the representative of the Board of Managers, and upon whom has fallen, most fitly, the duty of present- ing to you the keys of this Library, and whose name, but for his choice, would have been given it, that, -
" Early in the history of the Library, the enterprise lost the character of an experiment. Its ready appre- ciation by the community gave evidence that it had not been started too soon. It found friends to come to its support, when money was needed to continue it ; and its steady growth from year to year has confirmed the most sanguine hopes and expectations of those who joined in establishing it."
In future years, when our beautiful and cherished city shall have attained the size and population, which, if its past and present intelligent and Christian char- acter shall be maintained, as it ever has been by the prompt recognition of all educational and moral exi- gencies as they arise, then will this institution be found foremost amongst those recognized agencies of the past which have made this city to Boston, what is often true of suburban towns and cities, the home of a popula- tion whose influence extends far beyond its boundaries, and whose citizens will be recognized then as now, worthy of position and influence, upon which nations depend for strength and greatness.
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ADDRESS OF MR. JONES.
But, sir, I will only detain you to say, that, when I look over any large assemblage of our citizens, I am impressed by the large number of our young men, whose industry, education, and character is a guaranty of future useful activity ; and I cannot but express the hope that these will be early availed of in the future distribution of official positions of the government of this institution, as well as other offices, so that both the city and the young men will grow together in mutual interests and dependence, and thus the name of Newton continue to be the synonyme of virtue, intelligence, and Christianity in the future, as it has been in the past.
After the delivery of the addresses, the benediction was pronounced by Rev. Mr. Freeland; and thus the proceedings of the occasion were brought to a close.
FURTHER ACTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
THE transfer of the Library to the city having been consummated, the following ordinance was introduced, and passed through its various stages in both branches of the City Council : -
AN ORDINANCE RELATING TO THE NEWTON FREE LIBRARY.
Whereas the Trustees of the Newton Free Public Library have conveyed to the city of Newton its franchise, library, and property, real and personal, for the establishment of a public library therein, to be forever maintained by said city, as appears by Act of General Court, approved Feb. 28, 1876 : therefore,
Be it ordained by the City Council of the city of Newton, that the following By-Laws be adopted for the government of said Library.
ARTICLE I.
SECTION 1. - The affairs of the Newton Free Library shall be conducted by a Board of seven Trustees, who shall be elected by ballot by the City Council, as soon after their organization as may be convenient, on concurrent vote, as hereinafter provided.
SECT. 2. - There shall be chosen one member of the Board of Aldermen, and one member of the Common Council, to serve for their elected term of office. There shall also be elected five Trustees at large.
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FURTHER ACTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
SECT. 3. The members at large shall be chosen, - one for one year, one for two years, one for three years, one for four years, and one for five years. At each election thereafter, one member shall be chosen for five years ; all of whom shall hold their offices until their successors are elected.
SECT. 4. - In case a vacancy occurs in the Board of Trustees, from any other cause than the expiration of term of office, such vacancy may be filled by the City Council, as provided in Section Third.
ARTICLE II.
SECTION 1. - The Board of Trustees shall have charge of all the affairs of the Newton Free Library and its branches, and shall conduct the same in the manner best calculated to subserve the purposes for which it was established.
SECT. 2. - They shall annually choose by ballot, one of their number to be President, and also a suitable person, from their own body or at large, to be Secretary for the term of one year, or until others shall be elected in their stead. Vacancies in either of the foregoing offices may be filled for the remainder of the year, at any meeting thereof.
SECT. 3. - The Board of Trustees may appoint a Superintendent, Librarian, and make such other appointments as may be necessary for the proper care of the Library, the building and the grounds, and fix the compensation to be paid therefor. They shall annually make a detailed report of the affairs of the Library to the City Gov- ernment, and recommend such measures for adoption as they may deem expedient.
SECT. 4. - The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Trustees. He may call special meetings of the Board whenever he may deem it necessary.
SECT. 5. - The Secretary shall keep a true record of the doings at the meetings of the Trustees, subject at all times to the inspec- tion of the members thereof.
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FURTHER ACTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
SECT. 6. - The Superintendent shall have charge of the Library, under the direction and control of the Board of Trustees. He shall make a full and detailed report annually, and whenever called for by the Board, of the condition and wants of the Library.
SECT. 7. - All drafts or orders, and all bills to be paid from the City Treasury, shall be approved by the President of the Board of Trustees, and the Superintendent of the Library.
SECT. S .- These By-Laws may be altered or amended, by a two- thirds concurrent vote, at any regular meeting of the City Council, due notice having been given thereof at the preceding meeting.
Upon the passage of this ordinance, the City Council proceeded to the election of a Board of Trus- tees in accordance with the provisions therein set forth; and the following-named gentlemen, previously nominated by a joint special committee, were duly elected : -
From the Board of Aldermen. WILLIAM W. KEITH, EsQ. From the Common Council. WILLIAM I. GOODRICH.
At Large.
HION. J. WILEY EDMANDS (for five years).
JOHN S. FARLOW, EsQ. (for four years).
REV. BRADFORD K. PIERCE, D.D. (for three years).
HON. JULIUS L. CLARKE (for two years).
HON. JAMES F. C. HYDE (for one year).
At their first meeting, the Board of Trustees duly organized as follows : -
President. J. WILEY EDMANDS. Secretary. FREDERICK JACKSON.
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