The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1902-01-13
SOUTH 0MAHA'S
LIBRARY WOES.
Women Want to Control
Mr.. CaTnegie.S Gift.
THE COUNCIL IN A SAD STATE.
BODY Puts the Problem Up So the
Mayor and Then Quickly Takes Il
Back Again, md Now Must Choose
between Feminine Political Favor
and Masculine Political Favor.

OMAHA. Neb. Jan. 13.-It is very prob
able that II Andrew Carnegie could have
foTeseen all the tribulation he was about
to bring upon certain worthy people OF
South Omaha TO would not have offered
20 give TO the city $4,000 with which
to build public library South Omaha,
commercially, is one Of the wonders Of
the country In point Of growth in pop
ulation it is not excelled by any city Of
the Union, and in politics it is as unique
as il is in other matters, always being de-
pended upon TO give the Democrats
solid majority in county and State elec-
tions and in national elections. but be
ing as variable as the Nebraska zepAyrs
in city elections. 1t is metropolitan L.
size. industries. and possibilities. but it
is Lilliputian in the conduct of its city
affairs.
Row Over Management.
SO it was that when Andrew Carnegie
offered to donate the city $4,000 for a
library on condition that the city provide
site and levy a tax for the maintenance
OF the institution, several months we're
consumed in clubbing over the why's
and wherefores OF Mr.. Carnegie's offer.
The offer was finally accepted, however.
bonds were voted for the purchase Of a
site and levy made 10 provide for the
support Of the library.
Then came another rub. How were
the library affairs TO be managed An
other long spell was required to de
termine this important matter, but il
was finally decided that a board OF nine
members should conduct it's affairs.
Here came another pinch. and fl this
source Of controversy with which the
citizens are now wrestling.
Ladies' Who Aspire 10 Politics.
The city has number Of energetic. in
tellieent ladies who like 20 mix in mu-
nicipal affairs. especially when they can
add to the interest or a school board
fight. during which time they are entitled
20 a vote They demanded not merely a
/ representation on the library board, but
a majority OF its nine members. The
council was nOn-plussed- Its several
wives were insistent The man VINO
moved for any other condition knew what
TO expect at home
So the council did as many another
council has dOne-sloughed the matter on
to the mayors shoulders.
Mayor A. r. Kelly, however. while
/ favoTite with the ladies because OF his
( Carter Harrison-like figure and cOUnte-
nance. also possesses hnesse. He named
! four OF the principal ladies Of the city;
/ then hesitated as though IN doubt where
to select the remainder OF the board.
/ II Immediately became whispered about
that he was about 20 appoint a nth lady
and four Iacu. giving the ladies a ma
( jority. and therefore the presidency.
Counciimen Frightened.
The city cOuncilmen became so shor-
| oughIy frightened that they lost their fear
! OF the wives al home and hastily adopted a
resolution commanding the mayor 10 APP
point FIVE men as the remainder OF Che
I board
And Mayor Kelly smiled His burden
was Iighteued. StH there MAS an oppor-
tunity given him 10 make himself Of
/ deeper interest TO femiuinity. and he
+ seized il. Like thunderboiJ came the
/ announcement that the mayor had dele
gated the power OF appointment OF the
D five men 70 the four women whom be had
J already chosen Coupled with this alarm
I ing statement arose a rumor that the four
I ladies had conferred ard had settled upon
1 the selection Of FIVE men who were Of the
/ mandy pamby" sort and would bow 10
I LltthueSE 10 the VIII OF Tlt4E Wives anu
! would serviIely east their vote for d h0T-
. rid female for the presidency The c0uu-
! ciImen again stood aghsst. Here was "a
( coErretemps they thought they had
eys-.ed.
NH Take Power Prom Mayor.
a hurried consultation Was held and an
ordinance prepared relieving the mayor
entirely from sny power 10 appoint mem
bers Of the board. and placing the power
. Of appointment in the council itself And
Mayor Kelly smiled some more; the ladies
walled and CRASHED their molars, but the
/ ordinance was presented et the council
meeting and read for the first time ard
4 referred. 1t will be brought up for sec
. Oud and third reading at she meeting 10 be
/ held on Tuesday nigh next. when cor
. don Of glariug, determined. threatening
. feminine eyes Is expected 20 surround the
. city fathers iu an attempt 10 cause them
/ 10 quail in thCir dire purposes Of prevent
/ ing female asCoudeEcy in library board
| affairs.
In the meantime the citizens Of South
/ Omaha await with suspended breath and
the city's big sister OF the north antici-
pates deliciOusIy a UhirIwind Of gossip.