Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1902-07-19
STONE S VERSION I 4 /! i 0 |
ATTORNEY STONE REPUDIATES
CHARGE r1ADE BY TIMES.
A Few Facts Concerning the Election
of Library Dlrectors--Stone Will
ing to Resign.
MORRIS, MINI July II, 1902.
To THE EDITOR OF The TRIBUNE:

To THE EDITOR OF The TRIBUNE:
Kindly permit me the use of your
columns to make a brief statement
as Secretary of the Board of Direc.
tors of the Morris Public Library,
concerning the Library election that
is to be held on Saturday evening at
the same time and place with the an
nual school meeting, in the Longfel-
low School building on the west side.
This weeks issue of the Times con-
tanned lot of mis-. information con-
corning this election and I desire to
correct the mistaken impression Gre
ated in some quarters by the Tines
article, which, by the way, appears to
have been inspired by an individual
who has an axe to grind.
The situation is simply this. Prior
to the passage of Chapter 272 of the
General Laws of Minnesota for 1901,
the directors of the public library
we're appointed by the President of
the Common Council. In the spring
of 1901, before the publication of the
said law in book form, the President
of the Council had appointed three
directors, Messrs. Harris, Hanson and
Siverts. The law referred to, which
is simply an amendment to the law
heretofore existing, had escaped the
notice of all concerned. And such
oversight was fact not to be won
dered at, considering the 'act that
the publication of the amendment
was subsequent to the appointment
of the directors named.
The Secretary of the Board of Lii
brary Directors is required bv law to
report annually to the Common
Council. The report for 1902 was
submitted, through the Recorder,
some time in April last. Its final
and concluding section was as fol-
lows:
I'm conclusion, your attention is
called to the provisions of Chapter
272 of the General Laws of Mime
sofa for 1901, which Chapter, if it
applies to the Morris Public Library
and this Board, changes the method
of selecting thu members of thi2
Board from appointment by the
Common Council to election by the
voters of the Village. This Chapter,
if it applies, should have been fol-
lowed last year but it then escaped
the notice of both the Council and
the Board. It is a matter which
should be taken up and if the law
aoplies, which it is submitted it does,
provision should be me- de for the
election of three directors as is by
said law provided. This election
may be held at the same time and
place as the annual school election.
The Directors whose terms expire
this year are Messrs. D, T. Wheaton,
j, E. Kruger and J. @. Morrison"
This notification or recommends
ton, submitted in this formal man
ner. should have been enough, [ so
considered it at least, to insure the
proper arrangements for the election
of library directors, which must be
held on the third Saturday in July
and which may be held at the same
time and place as the annual school
meeting. The notice for for the first
of such elections must be posted by
the Village Recorder at least ten days
before the election. Failure to so
post the notices is denominated a
misdemeanor.
On the 9Th day of July, noticing |
that Mr.. Wheaton had posted the |
notices for the school meeting, and
being solicitous for the prope. hold |
ing of the library election, and fur
Their knowing that Mr.. B1rpee had
no blan for the purpose and had
never drawn such notices, drew the
necessary notices and took them over
to Mr.. Burpee's Office. There Mr..
Dumble informed me that Mr.. Bur-
pee was out of town and would not
return for several days. This was on
the 9Th. The notices must be posted
on or before the 9th, or there could be
no legal library election. What was
to be done? Was the library election
to be allowed to fall through COM
pl5tely? If it was not, if the Village
was to have its Public library proper
w and laralIv cared for. the notices |