The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-09-16
Rumor Says That the
Council Intends to
Build One.
What a Taxpayer Has to Say
Regarding the Proposed Building
Races at the Hancock Park on
sunday.

RED JACKET, september 10, 1870
To the EditoE-
Would you mention in your valuable
paper whether there IL any truth IN the
report that the council IL Red Jacket are
proposing TO erect an opera house on the
vacant lot adjoining the present Town
hall, whether they have had plans made
TO carry out such intention, and last
but not least whether the president and
council have any power 20 build an opera
house or right Co spend the taxpayers
money for such ~ purpose particularly
after they have lately ~ pended 80 much
money ia decorating and enlargiDg the
accommodation at the present opera
house.
It is perhaps true that on some occa-
sions the present building may not be
found large enough, but such occasions
are very rare. Yours truly
4 TAXPAYER.
In answer TO the above communica-
tion we hasten TO say that some weeks
ago the reporter or the News heard
that plans were being prepared for the
purpose alluded to in the above letter,
but upon applying to President Vivian
upon the subject was informed that he
did not wish the matter mentioned just
then as it was necessary, before anything
could be done TO ascertain the views OF
Mr.. Agassz upon the subject. as TO
whether he would grant a long lease of
the land required for the purpose. As
the News now understands it such plans
were even under way when President
Vivian was interviewed "a above m-n-
toned.
And as an answer to the third ques-
ton we can only say that we have ex-
amined the act under which the village |
il at present Incorporated and fail TO see |
under what section the council could Oh
tain the power 60 expend the taxp4y |
er's money for even paying an architect
for preparing the plans let alone erect
ing such a building.
1t would therefore look as il such
building, az proposed, is erected it will
have 90 be done by private capital and |
not by the village authorities. At pres
ent The lot south OF the Town Hall is
leased by the village. OF course there is
nothing, but hegood will of the Calumet
and Hecla company, to prevent them
from refusing TO renew the lease at its ex.
piration in which case they might lease
it 60 some private individuals who might
feel like erecting an Opera House on il,
bur under the present circumstances the
News, in answer to the question. fails to
see how he powers OF the council could
be stretched TO allow them TO put up
sucn building, they certainly have no
right TO expend he taxpayers money
Tor any such purpose, as il could not
possibly be brought under the head of
'puhlic building necessary or convenient
Tor the pUbHc good"
The News would be glad to see ine
Opera House erected, although il may b.
doubted whether in the long run it would
prove paying concern, but thinks such
an undertaking il one that should be
laid hold If by Indiyiduas and not bv
the municipality and believes that if
lolnt stock company Tor the purpose of
building an Opera House were started
sufficient capital could easily be obtained
and then the present Opera House after
so much money has been spent on II
would likely remain IN state of innoc.
nous desuetude.