The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1899-04-20
LIBRARY $4,000.
Finance Board Appropriated
the Necessary Extra
Sum.
TO SECURE 4 FINE BUILDING
Something For Posterity to
be Proud of Say the
: Trustees.

All the trustees OF the Free IuUHt
Library attended the meeting OF tht
Board of Finance last evening and mad.
application for an additional appropriation
of 5000 to enable them TO have erectee
the new library buildings according to The
plans and specifications adopted. The ccs'
will be that amount in excess of the sum
already provided.
DIR. Gordon, the President of the Board
of Trustees. addressed the Finance Board
saying that the Trustees came in. the IN
terest of a matter that is near and deal
to them as well as it IS to all the people
of Jersey City. When the original app:o-
priation OF sl5o, 900 was made, he said, for
the erection of a new Free Public Library
there was not anticipated the wave OF
prosperity tina has since rolled over the
country, bringing with it an advance IN
the price OF all building MATERIAL, MAKING
the cost of the new building, as proposed,
more thar was contemplated. 1t has also
been found necessary TO have some addi-
tions to h original plans. For instance the
appearance of the building as at irst- de-
signed was too fiat and had to be heigns-
ened five feet. It was found that cement
under the foundation will be required TO
shut out the drainage.
There Is only one OF two courses to
be pursued" continued DR.. Gordon; one
is to cut down the new building both IN
side and outside to a far less convenient
and pretentious building, which it does
not seem wise to do, as our Free Public
Library is, with only one exception, the
largest in the United States, and is be-
ing copied by all the others as far as
their facilities allow. Its circulation now
is close to half a million books yearly.
The present location of the library is
defective in heating, light and ventilation
and it is desirable to ecure in the new
building perfection in all these and other
details.
The question is whether the Trustees
will be enabled to erect a building as
originally contemplated and provided for
by the plans adopted, or whether it will
have to be cut down to come within the
present appropriation, which would have
been ample had not the price of material
so greatedly advanced. The Trustees ask
for an additional appropriation of 0,000,
by the issue. OF bonds, all Of which l am
prepared to take at three and one-half
per cent. interest, payable in thirty years.
..This library is the one public insti-
tuition where all classes meet to obtain
education, and therefore it is of benefit
to the whole people and should provide
every facility. The Trustees will pay one
half of the interest and one-half of the
sinking fund, the other half to be pro-
vided for by the Board of Finance and
inserted in the next tax levy"
Trustee James Luby, addressing the
Board, said the proposed new building is
as much for future generations as for the
present one. The Trustees make a busi-
ness proposition. For the use of the build
ing the present generation pays its share
of the cost in interest n in its contribu-
ton to the Sinking Fund. Future genera
tions similarly will have to pay Their
share in return for their use and enjoy
ment. Nothing could be fairer than this.
The articles to be stored in the building
will be of great value, and therefore it
should be one of ~permanency. The more
fitting and elaborate the building is made,
the more its purpose will be respected
and it's efficiency established.
He invited the Board to visit the pres
ent library and see for itself the ~inconvan-
fence and trouble with which the librarian
and assistants contend on account of the
cramped quarters in which they have TO
work. To guard against this 1T is heces-
sary that there should be no abridgament
of the plans of the proposed new building.
This Institution is not for the exclusive
use and benefit Of any one class of our
citizens, but it is for the whole people
and should be the most prominent and
complete of our public buildings II ask
you," said Mr.. Luby, ito consider this on
the principle that the Free Public
Library is the greatest adjunct to the
public schools of the city. 1t Is even
more far reaching that the High School. !
The benefits of the school are accessible
to but a small part of the population, few
being able to afford the course. But the
library is available for everyone, not only
for a few years but during each life time.
The good the library will accomplish will
be a monument to every member of the
board who votes in favor of DR.. Gordon's
proposition"
Trustee Harvey said;-"I am generally
opposed to the issue of bonds, but I am
convinced that in this case it will be bet
ter to do so than not to secure a build
ing according to the plans which provide
for a structure of which the city may
be proud and which will be to 1t a fine
ornament. The question is whether we
shall erect a building suitable for its pur-
pose in every particular or continue in
limited quarters. We have a City Hall, !
but very few public buildings. We should
have all we can get, and his opportunity
to erect a fine public library SHOULD not
be allowed to pass for the sake of a few
thousand dollars. 1t is our duty to look
out for the future and cave behind us
something for which we can be remem.
bered with credit and which those who
come after us will be proud Of
DR. Gordon in reply to questions by
President Heppenheimer, stated that the
estimated cost of the new building, as
contemplated by the plans adopted, will
be 5000, 900, and the contract will call for
its completion and readiness for oceu-
May l, 1900.
The Board after considering the mat
ter in private session subsequently adopt
in open meeting resolutions appro-
p~riating to the Board Of Trustees of the
Free Public Library the sun of $50, 600,
to be raised by the issue Of registered
to that amount, dated April /, 1899,
run thirty years, and made payable in
gold coin, with interest at the rate Of S1s
per cent, on the first of April and Octo-