Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-07-12
THE LIBRARY MATTER.
Library Trustees Have Employed
Counsel and VIII Fiaht.

Counsel and VIII Fight.
From Tuesdays Daily.
Inc library association will carry
the decision of Judge Eichelberger to
the supreme court for further adju-
dication and have evidenced a deter
mlnation to stand by their guns be-
cause they believe that women have
right to vote. William McNett, one
of the brainiest lawyers in the state
OF Iowa, has ben retained, who in
conjunction with Capt. Jaques will
carry it up. There was also rumor
on the streets today that the libra.
~ would be closed and that the Tour
list club had refused to take charge
OF 1t in view of the fact that the re,
cent events in this city connected
with the library matter did not
evince a proper appreciation on the
part of the public. A Courier report
er saw Capt. u. G.. Hutchinson who
stands as closely to the library inter-
ests as any Ottumwa citizen and who
is president of the library associa-
ton. Mr.. Hutchinson said that he had
been absent from the city for some
days but just before going away he
called meeting of the directorsSiof
the Ottumwa library association. The
directors felt that they had no right
to ask the Tourist club to expend
its time and energy in keeping the
library open during these hot months
The Tourist club has been taking
care of the library without any TEX.
pense to the library association for
the library work, except during the
hot months when assistants Vhave
been employed in, the absence of ma
ny of the members of the club. But
nevertheless the library association
has left the matter wholly to- the
discretion of the Tourist club, ais to
whether it would keep it open DUR
ing the hot months of July and Au-
gust or to the middle of September
The Tourist club does AZ : not
wish to show any feeling in this
matter nor does the library asso-
citation. Mr.. Hutchinson said that the
library association stood ready to pay
for the librarian work during the hot
months which the Tourist club might
have to expend to KEEP the library open
If they desire to do so and that the
matter would be left wholly to the dis
erection of the Tourist club in Whom
the association has the utmost conf
dence. Captain .Hutchison said that
the library association proposed to
stand by the ship and MIR. McNett has
been employed. as friend of the
court and on behalf of the Ottumwa
Library Association to assist in the de-
Tense of the action brought to enioin
the city In carrying out the effect or
the recent election and that whatever
course would abe necessary to secure
the benefits Of the magnificent gift, to
this city would be followed out{ that
MT, McNett would analyze the sitha-
tion very thoroly and pursue such
course as the law and the decisions of
the court would permit. "Of course
we have confidence in the city solicit
or" said Capt. Hutchison, and have
no desire to interfere with his duties
but the library association feels that
it has a public trust to take care
of and they think they appreciate the
Importance of a public library for OF
tumwa and propose to stand by their
guns if necessary until the supreme
court of the state of. Iowa shall set
tie the question The library
association has moderate fund in
its treasury which it has a right to
use to reasonable expense in the mat
ter of this kind. Not only that but Mr..
McNett is member of the Ottumwa
library association directory and will
feel the same interest in the proposed
defense defer 4. that lat the library association
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