Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-03-22

The Board of Education will not pro-
coed hastily in the Carnegie free IL
brary matter. No definite or tangible
promise has yet been given by Mr..
Carnegie, and the Board does not feel
that it would be justified in submit
ting the question of a bond issue to the
voters in the absence of an under
standing that Mr.. Carnegie will give
the money for a building. The Board
discussed the matter at its regular
meeting last night.
The public library matter came up
in the form of a communication from
Nelson c.. Hubbard. Mr.. Hubbard said
that, in continuation Of correspondence
had by him with Mr.. Andrew Carne-
gle, he reported the passage of the new
library law, saying the Board would
have from $4,000 to $1,000 annually
for the maintenance of the library, and
asking what is best to be done under
the circumstances.
Col. Miller moved to instruct the
library committee to notify Mr.. Car
negie of the condition of affairs with
reference to the proposed library. Mr..
Battelle wanted to know the status OF
the case, and after the adoption of
Col. Miller's motion, Judge Cranmer
stated that Mr.. Carnegie had given no
definite promise. He offered the fol-
lowing:
Resolved, That for the purpose OF
securing a site for a public library
building, the bonds of this Board be
issued for a sum not exceeding Sol, 900,
to be sold not less than par, bearing
interest at five per cent. per annum;
and that it be provided at the same
time for the collection OF an annual
tax sufficient to pay the interest an
nually on such sum-; and that the
whole of such sum shall be made pay
able within thirty-four years, provid-
ed that an election be held on the -
day Of - 1901, at one voting place
in each sub-district of the Independent
School District of Wheeling, requiring
three-ffths of all the votes for or
against the same.
Resolved, That this resolution shall
be published al least four weeks in two
newspapers of opposite politics, pub
lished in the city of Wheeling.
Speaking of the motion, Mr.. Max
well 6dlu Lie lldLLCl dppCdlCQ W AAAA
to be in indefinite shape. He could
not understand why Mr.. Carnegie
would not give a positive statement,
and 1t might tbe unwise to presume
that Mr.. Carnegie will give the money.
Judge Melvin replied that the fact
that Mr.. Carnegie did not reject the
request of the Board, justified him in
the belief that he would give $50, 900.
Mr.. Ford also thought the Board
should have something tangible.
Judge Cranmer replied that it was i'm
possible; that Mr.. Carnegie has already
said that nothing can be done unless
a site is first provided. He called at
tention to the fact that Mr.. Carnegie
has turned down frequent requests,
which fact he regarded as significant.
Judge Cranmer said if the steps he
advocated were not taken, the result
would be that Wheeling would get no
donation. Col. Miller did not agree
with Judge Cranmer. He also advo-
Gated a direct understanding with Mr..
Carnegie or his representatives, before
submitting the matter in indefinite
shape to the voters of the city. He
referred to the letter received from Mr..
Carnegie by Mr.. Hubbard, in which he
agreed to give a certain amount, but
he said the letter was received two
years ago, and Mr.. Carnegie may have
since changed his mind.
He thought a copy of the act Of the
Legislature, giving the Board the right
to issue bonds, should be forwarded to
Mr.. Carnegie, in order to %acquaint him
with the fact that the Board is in
shape to provide a site.
Mr.. Batelle moved to refer Judge