THE ATHENÆUM COMMITTEE.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 767, 24 January 1871, Page 2

THE ATHENÆUM COMMITTEE.

(To tlte Editor of lite Westport Times and Charleston Argus.)

Sir, —I observe from your issue of Thursday last that the Athenaeum Committee have held • their annual meeting, and presented tlieir report for the year 1870 to the subscribers, through the columns of your paper, and in the form of an original contribution, true in every particular. You may recollect I had occasion to refer to the action of this same committee at their last annual meeting, and expressed a hope, that something would be done during the year that is past to popularise the claims of the Westport Athenamm in such a manner as would induce more public interest. I am very sorry indeed to notice that the public interest seems to be getting "smaller by degrees and beautifully less." Although the public must ho glad to observe that the enthusiasm of certain members of the managing committee continues unabated, yet they may regret that their action in attempting to shame the public into something like an interest, by such contributions as published by them of

their annual meeting, is calculated to prevent rather than induce that public sympathy and support thoy so much desire.

I did hope that the Sub-Committee appointed to organise the Sixpeuny Readings, an effort especially intended to popularise the Institution, would have clone some work, how their good intentions were abandoned we have yet to learn, indeed I fear if matters were enquired into that the business of the Atheiutmm does not advance proportionatel yto theresaltswhich may fairly be expected from the talented and public-spirited character of the committee ; and why 1 Is the institution of an Athenaeum or Public Library, or by what other name you tnay designate it, premature or unnecessary to this settlement 'I Is it not self-supporting? Or why is it that at every annual meeting the public fail to acknowledge the labors of the Athenaeum Committee ? As far as present appearances would seem to indicate, I am afraid it must be admitted that the Athenaeum is premature and not selfsupporting, but it is by no means so clear that such an institution is unnecessary to the district. See the successes of a similar scheme at Charleston, where the Committee of Management have really interested themselves, the Public Library has become a popular institution in which most people find an interest; where the conveniences and benefits of which are generally taken advantage of by the public, and its funds are sufficient for all the calls which are made upon it. There the committee, however, have the good wishes of the subscribers who elect them, not because of any particular literary ability they may have, but because of their known public spirit ■ and, as a natural consequence, their fibers are rewarded by success. All the efforts made by them, for the good of the public library, are responded to by the public, by means of whom the funds of the institution are augmented, and the community are benefited both socially ard morally. How Westport has been so unsuccessful, as compared with Charleston, in the management of its Athenaeum, may easily be understood by any one who may trouble to read the reports of its committee and annual meetings. Why certain individuals should persist in managing the affairs of this local institution (electing themselves to office from lime to time, and flatter themselves that the silent contempt of the public gives consent to their perpetual authority) is almost inconceivable ; but their modesty and self respect will not allow them to see that the good-natured forbearance of the Westport public is an effect rather thaii a cause; and any disappointment they may experience at their annual meetings wdl easily be accounted for.

As things are now since the proceedings of last Monday evening, perhaps it will be better to give the ingoing Committee another chance, in the hope that they may charitably conceive some plan, and carry it out, by which a new interest will be taken in the Westport Athenaeum, the benefits of which have never been fully known nor taken advantage of by the public of this district, although they have been established amongst us for the last two years.

Quorum, Westport, Jan. 20.