Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-06-18

At the special meeting of the South
Paris Board of Trade Wednesday even
ing, the report of the committee ap,,
pointed to consult with Mr.. Rowland
regarding the library matter was accept
ed. This matter has never been placed
before the public in full detail, and the
essential parts of it are therefore given
herewith.
After brief preliminary statement,
the committee give the following letter,
which was received from Mr.. Rowland
soon after the appointment of the COM
mittee:
BosToN, MAY 18th, 1901.
Messrs. George A. Wilson, James S.
Wright, ct ais,
Committee on proposed library building,
South Paris, Maine.
Gentlemen,-Lastf fall l intimated to a
few friends who now constitute part of
your committee, my willingness to pre-
sent to the Town of Paris library build
ing. provided the town would furnish a
suitable lot of land for the purpose, sub
ject to my approval, and situated so as
to be most convenient of access to the
people of the town.
now write to state in more formal
way that am prepared to carry out the
intimation l then gave as soon as such a
lot has been purchased and vote passed
in town meeting pledging the town to
furnish such books in addition to those
contributed by individuals and such
| f.. avl ffksnnc ha nna6nn
to equip the library and also to make an
annual appropriation sufficient to keep
the library, the building and the land in
a suitable condition for the public use
should be glad to meet the members
of the committee on my next visit to the
town about June LIST and talk over the
details of the proposition.
Very truly yours,
j. FRANK ROWLAND.
The committee give some account OF
the work done in examining possible
lots, of which they say:
Gas only two of the lots proved &C
ceptable to Mr.. Rowland, we need only
mention those two. One is the r. n
Hall lot at the junction of Pleasant
Street and Skillings Avenue, go feet OF
| Pleasant Street and 100 feet back on thu
| avenue. This can be obtained for abou
$1,000, probably $l100. The other lot i
| the Woodbury. lot on the east side Of Parl
Street just north of the Baptist church
This lot is 100 feet square and can b.
purchased for 5000, and We recommend
the purchase of the same by the town.
Mr.. Rowland assured the cOmmitte,
that he would begin the erection of TIN
building as soon as the lot was Sc
cured, and that it would be building
which would be an ornament to tn
town and no discredit to himself.
In relation to the annual expense tn
committee have this to say:
"Your committee have carefully con
sidered further the probable annual cos
of providing for the care and equipmen
of the library and think that an annua
appropriation of $500 will be suficien
to cover same. This is the amour
which is annually appropriated by tn
lneighboring town of Norway. Such al
appropriation annually made woul
hardly be felt or noticed by the inhabii
ants of the town, as it would only in
crease mans tax, taking the presen
year as a basis, so cents in every $25 G
tax"
| This report having been accepted, tn
members of the committee-George A
Wilson, James S. Wright, ]. F. Plum
liner, George NJ. Atwood, and S. /
Maxim-were appointed committee t
take the necessary steps to bring I'll
matter before the town. 1t is unde
stood that a town meeting will be calle
| for Saturday, June go, to consider til
proposition. This gives nearly tw
. weeks of time, 30 that all may have a
opportunity to learn fully what I'll
. proposition is, and have ample time
consider it.
. Since the above was in type petitio
has been prepared, signed by N. Dayto
: Bolster and fourteen others, and p,
sented to the selectmen, asking to ha'
. La town meeting called on the day name
: | above, to act on these articles:
Article 1. To choose moderator TO presi
ct said meeting.
!. Article Q. 70 see what action the town v
!. take In reference to the generous offer Of
J. Frank Rowland. Esq, to give the town pub
:. library building.
Article 5. TO see what action the town win to
!. with reference TO the purchase Of lot for o.
I building and furnishings for same and ra
money for said purpose.