, 1880-10-10

| 1t was ascertained that they were to get OF q
| Elkhart, and it behooyes the Republicans o1
thar district to keep sharp lookout for them
Five of them are Italians, and the others, abou
| seyen are what arc known here as roustabouts
| They are as ii1-favored nnd yitlafnous crowt
us ever attempted to stun aiballot-box, bu
would adorn Elkhart lamp posts}
THE SCHOOL BOARD AND THE PURLIt
| LIBRARY.
The action Of q majority Of the Board OF
Education concerning the disposition OF the
building and lot now used as theatre at
the corner of Dearborn and Monroe streets
| is most extraordinary. In the first place, thu
Board of Education land the Public Library
| Board represent the same constituency. The
schools and the Library are both supported
| by taxation; the same people pay for the
maintenance of both; and the extreme solici-
| tude of the two or three lawyers in the Board
of Education thats technical question Of prop
erty shall override all original understand
ings, considerations Of honor, good faith,
and public welfare is only pardonable on
the theory-which too often possesses
Boards,'-that these gentlemen have come
to believe that they, and not the public, are
supporting and maintaining the public
schools.
Weneed not repeat the history Of this case.
It is notorious and familiar. In 1872-'73 there
was general movemento on the partof the peo-
pie Of this city to obtain the site and ruins Of
the old Post Office and Custom-House Build
ing as site for the Public Library. It was
thought that the United States might be dis
posed to cede that land, no longer of value to
the General Government, to the City Of Chi
cago for a library In exchange for the
old Bridcwell lot on the river, which was
then of no use to the city. but might be to
the United States as a site for bonded
warehouse. A memorial setting forth these
facts was signed by all the members Of the
Board Of Education, Library Board, Common
Council, and by the Mayor, Controller,
and Corporation Counsel, asking the Govern
ment to give tho old Post Office property for
the purposes of public library. The me-
moral was sent to the Secretary Of the
Treasury. who, In January, 1878, sent it to
Congress with letter advocating the ex-
change. In March, 1873, the subject having
been previously fully canvassed among the
members of both Houses, Mr.. Farweli intro
'tives authorizing the exchange; this bill was
not opposed, and, five minutes later, passed
the House.
On motion OF Gen. Logan, the House bill
was taken up In the Senate, had no opposi-
tion, and passed unanimously. There were
no speeches; there was no debate ON the
merits or objects of the bill, these having
been presented by the memorial. Mr.. Far
we'll has told the School Board that he fully
explained the purpose of the exchange to the
members of the House in his talks with
them about it, and Gen. Logan did the same
among the Senators. Every member under
make the exchange Of lots.
The old Bridcwell lot which was to be
ceded to the United States was technically
the property Of the ''School Fund.-" anu was
SO stated; but the act of Congress made no
exchange with the School Board It directed
an exchange with the City Of Chicago, The
bill did not require the property to be used
for public library, no for the public
schools, nor for any other specific purpose;
the lot was to be ceded to the City of Chi
cago after valuation aud an adjustment |
Of any difference between the valuations
The object Of the cession, however, being |
both in and out of Congress to be |
for the benefit Of the Public Library Of Chi
:ago.
After all the proceedings there was deed |
forwarded to the city by the Secretary of the
Treasury. In this the Board Of Education |
:ound some error and informality, and the
,apers were sent back. What this trouble
vas, perhaps the then officers Of the Board
# Education can explain At all events, the
Iced finally executed by the United States
conveyed the property for the benefit Of the
School Fund.- direction in no way waf-
anted or required by the act Of Congress
authorizing an exchange Of properties be-
ween the United States and the City Of
'hieago.
Then, and ever since the Board OF Educa-
ion has ''sQuatted like toad" upon this
roperty. The members Of the Board have
cted as if they were under some high moral
litigation to take advantage Of the technf-
ality. and to chisel the Library Board out of
ae use Of the ground and building by leasing
for variety shows and other purposes to
10 highest bidder. - i
1t Is notorious that no man In Chicago ever
sked this exchange Of property for the
enetit of theatre. bank, or Of the Is School
und"; the property was ct no use to the
hool system except as something that
>uld be hired out as q source of revenue,
I'd the people of Chicago never asked Con-
ress to exchange the Brideweil for the Gus (
House lot for any such purpose; and if /
ey had Congress would not have listened
7 moment to such a mercenary scheme,
I'd the technical lawyers Of the School t
oard well know it. The appeal was made c
Congress On the exclusive ground that the | {
e, no longer valuable to the United States l
r the Post-Ofttce or Custom House, was I
pecially suitable for city library. 1t was S
urged by all the Illinois delegation who II
ok my interest In the matter, and they h
d made SO clear a case in their personal t.
presentations that when Mr.. Farwell h. il
duced the bill it was passed instantly, and a
q unanimous vote. Il
The only interest the School Fund had | Il
m, or has now, is an equity eQrat to the s.
ltM value of the Bridewelf lot given In p
change. Any demand made upon the n
brary Board in excess Of that will be an O.
ort1on wholly unjustiiable. 80. q