Always ostensibly keeping himself in the
background and working through others, never contradicting, but
carrying his point by shrewd questions which showed the folly of
the contrary position, he continued to set on foot and carry out
movements for the public good. He established the first
circulating library in Philadelphia, and one of the first in the
country, and an academy which grew into the University of
Pennsylvania. He was instrumental in the foundation of a
hospital. "I am often ask'd by those to whom I propose
subscribing," said one of the doctors who had made fruitless
attempts to raise money for the hospital, "Have you consulted
Franklin upon this business?" Other public matters in which the
busy printer was engaged were the paving and cleaning of the
streets, better street lighting, the organization of a police
force and of a fire company. A pamphlet which he published,
"Plain Truth", showing the helplessness of the colony against the
French and Indians, led to the organization of a volunteer
militia, and funds were raised for arms by a lottery. Franklin
himself was elected colonel of the Philadelphia regiment, "but
considering myself unfit, I declined the station and recommended
Mr. Lawrence, a fine person and man of influence, who was
accordingly appointed.
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