The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1901-02-15

property does not cost as much, the air
and light will be better than in bust
ness section, and there will be quiet.
Such location would be more in the
center of the city and nearer the
schools. The more think about the
matter the less favor Second street as
location for the library. Two full
| 66-foot lots should be purchased, to
provide light and air on all sides and
to allow grass plot and few flowers
| and trees.
Other Opinions.
Aid. Weed expressed himself today
as being in favor of carrying out the
requirements and obtaining the SPLEEN
did donation. He was in favor of the
council raising the annual levy of
81, 600 and individual citizens pur-
chasing a site
Aid. Taylor stated that he thou ght
that the people could stand the "a, 900
levy.
City Recorder Williams states that
the levy for some years past has been
So, 900. A one mill levy would bring
in So, 600 and not 81, 000 which would
leave deficiency to be made up in
some other way. The real estate valu-
alton of the city is So, 334, 963 and the
personal property valuation is S762 707,
giving total of So, O97, $40.
Several leading citizens have ex-
pressed themselves as opposed to pur
cha sing site by subscription. Said
one today: "This would be unfair, az
people who do not patronize the library
might pay the most, and in any event
it would impose an unequal burden.
The money should be raised by the
council, so that every body would share
in it ON a just basis. If part was
raised by subscription and the balance
by the council it would make a double
taxation on those who subscribed -
Persons who have given the matter
thought are of the opinion that the
building should not be located on Sec
ond street, for the reasons set forth in
Mayor Curriers' interview. The first
thought of nearly everybody will be
to have the location on Second street,
but there are weighty objections to
this. On the other hand, there is no
overwhelming argument in favor of
Second street A library building is
in no sense business building, and in
many cities it is located far from the
business section.
Great credit is due to DR.. Wood and
Congressman McCleary in connection
with the securing of the donation.
Acting in conjunction, they made such
showing that Mr.. Carnegie saw that
it was a case where his iberality
would be merited
In this connection, it can be said
that W. E. Young exhibited public
spirit, for without knowing of DIR.
Woods move he has had correspon-
dence with Mr.. Carnegie looking to
the same end, and furnished some
necessary statistics.
Mr. Carnegie is too we'll known to
need any Introduction to our people.
He is millionaire, but takes pleas
ure in devoting his wealth to good
purposes. He is largely interested in
the iron and steel industry at Pitts
burg and elsewhere, and has a castle
and an estate in Scotland. His benef-
cence is almost world wide, and has
made him respected and loved every
where and his name household word
His princely gift to Mankato was not
due to any obligation that he was I'M
der to the city, but to his kind and
generous spirit and his desire to do
good.
1t is Mr.. Carnegie's rule in making
donations for public libraries, to re-
quire that sum equal to one-tenth of
his gift be annually raised for the sup
port of the library. Thus, Sioux Falls,
which was able to raise so, 500 year,
received $25, 600. If Mankato could
raise but So, 900, the donation would
have been $50, OOO
From expressions heard on the
street, the universal feeling is that the
city is deserving of congratulation up
on it's good fortune, and that the re-
quirements accompanying the gift can
and must be met. The only ques ton
is as to the best way to do this.
DR.. Wood states that the library
now contains 5, 900 volumes, and that
the new building will have a capacity
of 80, 600.
: City Attorney Daley is in doubt
whether the council has power to raise
more than the one mill tax However,
steps are being taken to provide more
literally for the library through the
new charter and through an act of the
present Legislature. At the last meet
ing of the library board Messrs Noe,
Eberhart, Rein and Willard were ap-
pointed committee to prepare amend
ments for the charter
DIR. Wood has today received an offer
of the donation of a lot on South Front
street fora site, and in case the Ioca-
ton is not approved the give intimates
that he is willing to sell the property
and turn the proceeds over toward the
purchase of site. The gentleman did
not wish his name known.
ST. Cloud, with population of
8 600 annually raises ouar sA o00 e..