Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-01-18
COUNCILS TO HAVE TT
The City Attorneys Opinion About
That Carnegie Library.
HOT WORDS BETWEEN COUNCILMEN
Several Accused of Seeking Positions on the
Advisory Board.
ALL THE ACCUSATIONS WERE DENIED

City Solicitor Elphinstone has handed
down legal opinion to the members of the
City Property Committee that Councils had
the right to take charge of the Carnegie
Library and run it.
A special meeting of the committee was
held last night. Chairman Ammon offered
a resolution given him by one of his con-
stituents. 1t provided that the City Prop
erty Committee prepare two ordinances, one
| for the government of the ground and the
other for the government of the building,
the control to be in the hands of committee
from Councils and the Board of Control.
Mr.. Elphinstone's opinion was as follows:
GENTLEMEE-In answer to your inquiries
with reference to the management and control
of the Carnegie free library and music hall,
would respectfully answer as follows:
The charter of 1870 gives to councils the con-
troll of the finances of the city and of all its
property, real and personal.
By the ordinance OF March H. 1882 the Com
mittee on City Property was intrusted with the
duty of erecting all city buildings and keeping
them in repair.
THE PRoPERTY'S RIGHT.
The Carnegie Free Library and Music Hall
being the property Of the CITY, it follows that
Councils have control of the same, and that
your committee has been charged with the
duty of keeping it in repair For the purpose
of carrying out the worthy objects for which
the building was erected, Councils can confide
in your body, or some other committee of
Councils appropriate power and duty.
1t is not within the power of Councils to in
trust body of directors, composed of citizens
and Councllmen, with the powers and duties
sought to be conferred upon such board by the
rnfIl nod m ma Plrod
mo l."
This ordinance gives the proposed board the
right to receive and expend public money and
to incur debts. 1t is further proposed to give to
this board the power to fix the number and
compensation of employees. All of this is in vio-
lation of the provisions of the city charter and
the act OF 1874, which commits such power and
duties to the Councils and officers created or
appointed In pursuance of law.
CAN USE THE ROOM.
1 have been asked to inform you If Councils
can permit the Board of Controllers to use the
room provided for the library in the new build
ing, and conduct it as heretofore. There is
nothing to prevent such an arrangement.
Councils have the power, however, under the
act of 1877, to levy an annual tax for the erec-
tion and support of the library, and commits
the management and control thereof to officers
and employees selected by themselves. OF
course do not presume to make any suggestion
entirely within the discretion of Councils.
1t is also within the power of Councils to
create the office Of Superintendent of the new
building, and by ordinance fix the term of tho
officer, his duties and compensation.
The Library Committee of the Allegheny
Board of School Control held its regular
monthly meeting last night An appropri-
alton of 81, SO, the same as last year, was
asked for the library for the coming year.
NJ fob he
library.
SOME SPICY REToRTS.
Mr.. Kennedy suggested that some citizens
might be appointed as an advisory COM
mittee. Mr.. Lare thought there was no
necessity of subcommittee. Some few
citizens, he said, desired to come in
and run the library because they thought |
it a nice, clean job. When there was |
a job to burn up = smallpox boat or some |
infected clothing, they could not be induced |
they were ready to rush in and be on an ad- |
visory board.
Mr.. Dahlinger said that there were not |
three members who ever went through the
building, or looked into the question of con-
ducting a library. He thought Mr.. Lare's
remarks about citizens interference were
uncalled for, and he was making an attack
on citizens without cause.
Mr.. Kennedy seconded the remarks of
Mr. Dahlinger, and said that the attack was
only made to excite prejudice.
When Mr.. Kennedy began to pick flaws
in Mr.. Elphinstone's opinion, the latter
jumped up and said he wanted the young
gentleman from the First ward to under
stand that he had carefully considered the
law on the question and knew whereof he
spoke.
Mr.. Kennedy said he would challenge
the assertion. He also said that Mr.. Lare
had reflected on him.
The question of adopting the original or
dinance giving the new buildings entirely
in the charge Of the City Property Commit
tee was taken up, and on motion it was de-
cided to afirmatively recommend it to Coun-
ellis. Messrs. Dahlinger and Kennedy re-
fused to vote.