The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-05-05

Stanford Newell and D. C. Shepard as
proper persons to appoint to the board.
Secretary Kelly explained that he had
been misunderstood in the matter He
had been called to the mayors office
to notify the mayor that the appoint
ments of Messrs. Ramsey, Upham and
Wright would expire April 30. He had
not been able to see the mayor, but
left word with the clerk that, If there
was vacancy on the board 1t would
be well to appoint some gentleman
who would not be SO tied up In bust
ness affairs as to be unable to attend
the meetings. He had been asked to
toned Stanford Newell and D. C. Shep-
ard. He had no idea, however, but
that the retiring members would be
reappointed, and spoke of vacancies
only as they might occur afterward.
Mr.. Arosin said he had no desire to
change by his vote the present secre-
tary, but If there was to be a change
ne desired to place the name of Mr..
Smith, son of Rev. S. G. Smith, be-
fore the board. Mr.. Edward Field
hauser, recently appointed to the board
by Mayor Doran, seconded the nomin-
alton of young Smith. Mr.. Wright ex-
planned that he had talked with none
of the other members of the board
about the matter, but he felt that Mr..
Kelly had thrown down the gage of
battle to him and he had taken 1t I'D.
Mr. Kelly interrupted to say that the
statements made by Mr.. Wright were
not correct and he would take his oath
that he had never had the least feeling
against Mr.. Wright. E. w. Peet said
this was the first time in his connec-
tion with the board that there had
been any difference in opinion among
the members. Mr.. Kelly had proven
himself very accurate official and his
annual reports were models of brevity
and would compare favorably with
those of other cities. He would be
very sorry to see a change and sug-
gested that the matter be postponed
until the next regular meeting in Or
der that there could be a full meeting
of the board. D. A Monfort favored
the proposition of Mr.. Peet and stated
that when such grave charges were
made against an official. it was best
that all the members of the board
should be present before any action
was taken. This was agreed TO and
the meeting adjourned. The salary of
the secretary is $100 per year.
Previous to the discussion over the
election of a secretary the following
report of the librarian for the month of
April was submitted:
Books issued during the month, 23,-
9S9; visitors to the reading room on
Sunday, 959; visitors to the reference
room on Sundays, Co. Registrations
previously reported, 11,73S; cancelled
during the month, 312; new registra-
tions males. 169 females 22S; total
number entitled to draw books, II .S23.
Fines received, $93.S9.
The little fracas at the meeting cou-
pied with the disappointment over the
action of the mayor in failing to re-
appoint H. P. Upham as member
of the board has aroused considerable
feeling. The members who feel strong
est about the change allege that, in a
very small way, it was intimated to
Mayor Doran that Mr.. Upham always
found it impossible to be present at
the meetings, whereas the statement is
freely made that he rarely missed
meeting, and, further, that he was one
of the most valuable members of the
board. He was chairman of the financa
committee, and as such did much val
liable work for the board. Possessed of
a very excellent library himself he
interested himself from practical
standpoint in the administration of the
affairs of the city's collection of books.
and will be much missed on that ac-
count. One member expressed himself
much as follows ON the matter right
after the meeting yesterday afternoon:
1T was little short of an outrage If
the mayor wished to improve the use
fulnesS of the board. he went the wrong
way about it. He might have dropped
some member who does not find time
to attend meetings and work in the
interest of the library board I do not
know anything about Mr.. Feldhauser.
nor do 1 wish to make any compar-
son, but it is quite plain to us that
a mistake has been made"