Marquis of Bute Obstructs Cardiff Free Library
THE recent action of Archbishop Purcell of Cincinnati, forbidding the people of his diocese to frequent the public libraries or draw books from them, has been more than matched by the action of another eminent Catholic beyond the sea. This time it is the Marquis of Bute, one of the wealthiest noblemen in Great Britain, and a recent “pervert” to popery through the influence of Ritualism, who illustrates the attitude of Rome toward popular education, and supplies another commentary on the Papal Syllabus. He owns the greater part of the town of Cardiff in Wales. The people of this town determined with most commendable spirit to expend £20,000 in establishing a Free Library for the benefit of the citizens. The Marquis of Bute tried, by various disgraceful devices, to evade giving a site without directly refusing one. He would allow them to build in the dirtiest and lowest suburb; he would demand a rent of £250 a year; he must dictate the style of the building and the character of the library. No wonder the enterprise was given up in disgust. The Marquis was acting under the advice of his ecclesiastical superiors. These are the men who assume to dictate the policy of America touching her public schools.