St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-03-14
PUBLIC LIBRARY TALK.
Goa RsTTEES or INVESTIGATION TO
Sc APPOINTED.
\ VARIETY OF OPINIONS.

Selling the Market House =
Citizens at Commercial Club.
y meeting was held last night at the
Commercial club rooms, at which the
questions of acquiring a new library
building, and of disposing of the market
house property. were fully and ably
discussed: and. on motion Of d. d. Mer-
riI'. it vas declared the sense ut the
meeting THAI new quarters fer the pub
lie library should be secured At once.
Rud that the council lle urged to issue
tile $4,000 bonds provided for by the
legislature some years ago 10 be utilized
in the purchase of a site for 4 public
library building.
L j. HodEson presided at the meet
in-, and {. (. Mackean acted as secre-
tary. Mr. Hodgson opened the discus
sion by stating that he believed 1t to be
tile general sentiment OF tie people
that the market house property should
be utilized for public library. although
they differ as 10 the means 10 that end.
Thomas Cochran was asked 10 adj
dress the meeting. and during his
speech alluded to many privileges that
were given to the street railway COM
pany anu for other purposes. tie be-
livved the city had been toe prodigal III
granting franchises. He spoke of the
ownership 0v the Catholic church of a
square opposite the market house. which
Is an endowment for the church when
the cathedral IS TO be moved. lie de-
ola d Yo- fsa
continued ownership by the city of the
market house. which he regarded as
the most valuable piece Of property in
the city. Mr.. Cochran declared that
the administration of city affairs should
not be one of politics. but OF business.
In his view now was not lhe time iG sell
the market house prnpPItY. He recalled
the incident of Mrs. Alex. Ramsey'5
buying a quarter section of land from
drunken soldier for 500 and selling it
for 500. coo. He advised the city 10 be as
wise as the Catholic church and keep
the market house property. The be-
quest OF Judge Hale for a public library
ard free disDrnsary was spoken of as
being a prospective benefit that Will re-
dound TO his great homer.
Gen. G. c. Andrews read a paper on
the subject, in which he spoke of the
growth of the city library since it was
placed in the garrett Of the court house
five years ago. He alluded to the
authority given by the legislature five
years ago for the common council 10
Issue bonds 10 the extent OF $50, COO to
be used in the purchase OF a site for
library building. He discussed the
benefits to the city arising from good
library, and lis educational needs. lie
wants a library building that viii be
tie finest IN The city, ana stall contain
some masterpiece OF sculpture or paint
ing. He opposed the selection of a new
temporary quarters. and wants steps TO
be taken at once toward a permanent
building. and the work to be pushed
with energy.
& /. Machean, in reporting for the
liJrary committee of the Commercial
club, said that some time since the club
had advocated utilizing the market
house site for public library, and the
Issuing OF the $4,000 bonds provided
for 20 be used for publiclibrary site.
Lately there seemed to be a sentiment
in favor OF leasing the market house
property. Inc club has taken the view
that to lease the market house would
delay the erection of a library. The
commit &c had prepared a petition to
the city council, which it asked people
10 sign. The petition asks for a sale of
the market house property at an early
day, or as soon as practicable. and not
to lease 1t for long term. MI MacKane
urged the adoption of the plan of the
committee. He thought it could be
successfully carried out in two or three
years.
Attorney General Childs was called
upon for an expression of views. and
spoke OF the Importance of having \
great public library in the capital of the
state. and making this the center of in
teiligence for the Northwest. He finds
III gong about the state that there are
men who are looking upon the Twin
Cities as desirable places ofresIdence.
y. q. Pyle said that he believes If
possible to raise by public subscription
enough to PIT up public library. He
favors selling the market house to raise
funds. The condition OF the present
library was spoken of as being very de-
plOTable and homogeneous. For the
present he favOrS utilizing the Mann
helmer building as temporary Quarters
Il. ). FaIrchild SAID as to the two
propositions to sell the market house
ana Du!.u library and auditorium and
ttat OF leasing tie property. both may
f.l carried O.Ir Inv rnf,+Tt,rr -.
house property and also bV putting I'm
the library building. lie thinks that
plans should be laid for n grand Strurt-
uIe hat would be built in part rs n
wing to last TWENTY-FIVE wears. when
the Judge Hale OeqUFst will be available
10 complete the building He believes
that the business part OF the city will
III few years require ali of the land
surrounded by the bluffs. III that view
the market house property will be of
great value. He thinks the prOnertv
should be pat on the market for sale in
lie future and advertised in the East.
Rev. Edward c. Mitchell declined TO
discuss the general proposition. but
wanted q committee appointed TO IN
qulTe as 10 the decay OF public spirit.
lie stated that he wants 10 see provision
made 10 combine the COLLECTIONS of the
academy OF science in some central
Dt ding.
{. W. Horr SAID that it seems there is
q LACK or sentiment as to what ShouId he
done with tie market house. He doubt.
cd that the renting OF the property
would afford much revenue.
+ w. l'eet said that the library board
has been energetic, but its energy NAV
have been wasted lie declared it alb
sOluteiy necessary 10 have better quar-.
tCrS Tor the library. he said that the
condition of the library. as we'll as the
market house corner, are a shame to the
people. The securing OF temporary
quarters he believed advisable. as in
time a more suitable library building
can De erected than at present, and the
market house property may be sold for
more iii few years. He favored rent
In the Manufacturer building.
w. A. an Slyke said it seemed that
tie meeting was not aware that 600 ueo-
pie had protested to the common c9uu-
fsr~4nf la.