St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-16
WHICH OF THE LIBRARY PROPO-
SITIONS STRIKES ITS FANCY -s'-S
FAVORABLY.
CITIZENS MEETING CALLED,
TO BE HELD AT THE COMMERCIAL
CLUB ON TUESDAY EVEN
ING.
THOMAS COCHRAN OPPOSES ALL
He Says That Money Is Too Scarce
to Build Libraries at Pres
ent.

The public library committee Of the
Commercial club met yesterday after
noon for the purpose Of considering the
propositions relative to an exchange
of the market house property or a por-
ton of it, for public library building.
AS a result of the committees deliber-
ations, a call will he issued for meet
ing Of citizens, to be held at the Com
merciel club next Tuesday at 4 o'clock
in order to obtain an expression Of pub
lie opinion regarding the library prop
ositionS.
The library committee was not rep
resented by quorum, but the MEM
bers present discussed the question in
formally. j. G. Pyle, of the library
board, was present, and Assemblyman
Parker came in about fifteen minutes
before adjournment and explained his
views Of the matter.
The discussion indicated that a ma
jority Of those present favored such &C
ton as would secure to the city a pub
lie library building. Thomas Cochran
was the only one opposed to the pro-
ject. Mr.. Cochran did not believe that
the proceeds from the sale of the mar
ket house property should be invested
in library building That would be
using an asset for the purchase Of
luxury. Mr.. Cochran thought that pub
lie sentiment was against any expendi-
ture for library building during the
present times. Asked for his estimate
of the value of the market house prop
erty Mr.. Cochran said it was worth
about S225,O0O, which is equivalent to
valuation of $3.50 a foot for the Sew
enth street frontage of 300 feet.
f. w. M. Cutcheon thought we'll of
the proposition of the Butler-Ryan
company Offering to erect a library
building on the st. Peter street end of
the property, worth from $4,000 to
$4,000 in exchange for a deed for the
rest OF the property, consisting of 200
Ieet on Seventh street and $50 feet on
Wabasha street. Emil Geist evidently
preferred the proposition Of Nicholas
Rauen who offers to lower the first
moor OF the market house, put in stalls,
etc. Mr.. Geist argued that the city
owed 1t to the people to establish and
maintain public market for their use
and benefit. Mr.. Cochran, in reply, said
that the establishment Of a general
market on the present site would injure
all property in the vicinity.
J. G. Pyle, of the library board,
spoke Of the proposed location Of
the public library building. Mr..
Pyle said that at first he had regarded
with little favor such a location as st.
Peter and Seventh streets. Instead, he
had preferred a proposed site on
Fourth street, opposite Rice park. But
upon further consideration Mr. Pyle
said he had changed his opinion and
was now Inclined to regard the pro-
posed site at the market house as de-
sirable, though not the best in the
city.
Mr.. Parker agreed with Mr.. Pyle in
this particular. There were, in his
opinion, better sites; and that was
one of the advantages to be gained by
the adoption Of his resolution to ad-
vertise for bids for site and library
building.
G. w. Horn suggested that the bidder
might offer a site and a certain amount
of money, in lieu Of erecting a building
Mr.. Parker reported his objections to
the ButlerRyan company's PROPOSE
ton, and remarked that he had heard
that a petition against the proposed
location of the library building was
being circulated.
The discussion closed at this point
and on motion Of Mr. Cutcheon, it was
decided to call meeting Of citizens to
L
night to consider all the propositions.
The Maple Leaf Route to the Mardi
Gras!
The Chicago Great Western Railway
sells tickets to the New Orleans and
Mobile Carnival held Feb. 18th, at lex
cursion" price. Make arrangements at
once at Maple Leaf Ticket Office, cor
ner Fifth and Robert streets.
Topographic Anniversary Ball.