Albuquerque daily citizen. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1895-1903, 1900-11-20
CITY COUNCIL.
Library Ordinance Adopted by Vote
Of Seven to One.
BURkHART OPPOSED MEASURE.

bURkHARI OPPOSED MtASURt,
The city council held an interesting
session last night. In fact there has
not been a meeting for a long time that
was so interesting to some Of the mem
bers. as well as the public generally, as
the library question was to be solved,
and II was, too. In a manner that Is
certainly satisfactory to nearly every
body. There had been a great change
In the sentiment first expressed. and as
the whole matter had been thoroughly
discussed In the daily papers II assum-
ed an aspect from which but one result
could be determined and tina was the
adoption of the ordinance as prepared
and presented by Mr.. A. u. McMillen.
The outcome Is the only one that could
happen by which the city as a whole il
benefited. No one need feel aggrieved
by not gaining their point, as the
majority not only Of the council. but OF
the public. desired the adoption OF the
ordinance, and certainly the majority
should rule. At roll call the mayor
and every member OF the city council
answered TO their names. There were
also present nearly all of the other city
officers, as well as the gentlemen who
have become interested In the library
matter and a goodly number OF specta-
tors.
The council first acted upon the pro-
test presented against the issuing of a
permit to q. l.. Althemler to erect a
one-story iron sheathed frame build
Ing within the fire limits. and after
upon motion revoked.
The finance committee certified that
the reports OF the city clerk and treas-
urer for October were correct.
The street committee recommended
the granting OF the petition for the
grading of West silver avenue
The way being cleared. the library
matter was brought forward by pre-
senting the ordinance as prepared by
Mr.. McMillen, and As published In full
in The Citizen last Saturday. Alder
mar Il. A. Sleyster moved Ind Alder
nan ]. s. Beaven seconded a motion
hat the rules be suspended and that
the ordinance be placed before the
1OdhtNA wi aiNAbhs dbtENAph btAAAk
open for discussion, Alderman Burk-
hart spoke at length on the subject.
giving his reasons for opposing the AS
sage OF the ordinance. His points were
that Mr.. Reynolds had at FIRST made
no conditions as to the city accepting
the gift, except to maintain 1t as a free
public library forever. That the gift
had been accepted when first rendered
and the deed ordered made and record
ed. The ordinance which had been
presented when the deed was offered to
the council. had been refused by that
body, and II had outlined a plan for
the future management Of the library;
that Mr.. McMillen refused to accept
this action and gave notice that the
gift would be withheld unless the ord
nance was passed. He refused to al
low Mr.. McMillen or any body else to
dictate to the council. and considered
that the council was now asked to do
something illegal. He raised several
other points and asked that the ordi-
nance De laid upon the table until he
could receive an answer to a letter that
he had written to Mr.. Reynolds. He
read a copy OF this letter to the our
ell.
Mayor Marion claimed that the ordi-
nance was to have been presented with
the deed to the academy building, and
was made a condition OF acceptance.
On the suggestion Of Mr.. Burkhart
himself the ordinance was not present.
ed. as he thought IL was not treating
the ladies of the library association
~courteously, and It was not presented
until a later meeting. The mayor stat
ed that he had always understood that
the ordinance must be passed to secure
the gift. He had written to the library
association stating the action of the
council, but received no answer until
October 25th. Mr.. Marion stated that
he could not see where Mr.. McMillen
was debating to the council. He was
Mr.. Reynolds recognized agent, and
Mr.. Rayonlds had a perfect right to
Impose such conditions as he chose. The
matter was before the council and It
had the power to reject or accept the
offer with the ordinance. He further
stated that no one appreciated the work
of the library association more than he
did. He had written the association In
answer to their question, and stated the
position OF the council. In consultation
with Alderman Burkhart the latter had
assured him that the letter was useless,
as the council was against him (the
mayor on the question, n the letter
was not sent. The letter is as follows:
Mrs. w. C. Leonard. Mrs. J. F.
Pearee, Mrs. w. b. Childers, Mrs. +. w
DaaanaA Af naN
time having been fully occupied, your
| communication OF october 18th has re-
NAMED unanswered. Permit me to say
that It was my hope hat the request
for a conference between the ladies OF
the Library association n the library
executive committee Of the city council
contained In my first communication
would be acceded to, for the reason
that had such a conference been had
all matters In connection with the pro
posed change could have been discussed
and settled without difficulty.
For your Information regarding tn
conditions imposed by Mr.. Reynolds II
his offer to donate the building, l here
with enclose a copy Of the communica
ton received from Mr., Reynolds rela
tive to the matter OF the gift. This 1
the only communication received OF
that subject. In my opinion there /
but one construction TO be placed oil
his offer. and that Is that the city Is L
take the building. establish a librar'
therein. and control and manage tn
same forthe public use. Unless tina
condition Is compiled with, certainl.
the Gift will NOT he made.
The city council and myself. as pub
lie officers. have no other desire tina
to subserve the public good. and Ger
tainly the ladies of the Public Librar