The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-04-11
PEOPLE ARE FOR IT
MAYOR MYERS so BELIEVES OF
THE LIBRARY PLAN.
THINKS MAJORITY WANTS IT.
NOT PRACTICABLE, HE SAYS, FOR
CITY TO ISSUE BONDS.

The Mayor Considers That the Peo-
PIE Would Welcome a Public Lii
brnry, if They Felt That 1t Yves
Really Theirs-Had Thought of the
Bond Plan Suggested by MIR. WILL
Jams, but That Is InfeasibIe-Mr.
Williams Said He Knew Bonds
Could Not BE Issued, but That an
Annual Appropriation Would BE
Tantamount to Paying Interest on
BOnds-Library Legislation win
Not stand.
81 believe that the majority Of the
people of Savannah want a free pub
lie library" said Mayor Myers yes
terdaY. IN believe, too, that the peo-
pie would take an interest in such an
institution, if they regarded it as
theirs. 1 do not think that the Geor-
gia Historical Society, for instance, if
converted into a public library, would
be popular as such, as the people would
not consider it their own. With a pub
lie library under the city's manage
ment, however, 1 think they would be
well satisfied.
The wishes of the people in so i'm
portant matter should be ascertain
ed. l am glad to see that it is pro-
vOking discussion. / am glad to see
any expression al all, either for or
against the proposition to accept money
from Mr.. Carnegie upon the 10 per
cent. basis. Mr.. ]. P. Williams,
whom, l note, favors the establish
ment of schools, rather than the es-
adjustment of a library, is wide of the
mark in his suggestion for a bond is
sue. The city has no right to issue
more bonds. In fact, it is now beyond
its limit.
This matter of bond issue occur
red to me long ago, but l found, upon
considering it, that it would not offer
as sound solution as would the ac-
ceptance of Mr.. Carnegie's Offer"
No time has yet been assigned for
a meeting of the Special Library Com
mittee of Council. The members of
the committee want to learn some
thing more of the public sentiment
before they agree as to their report. 1t
would seem that the committee is now
divided as to what its report should
be.
Mr.. j. P. Williams position has been
given in the Morning News. He op-
poses the acceptance of Mr.. Carnegie's
money upon a basis of a 10 per cent.
In fact, he does not consider that a
library is needed. If money is to be
spent for the education of the people,
he considers that it could be used to
~reater advantage in the erection of
school buildings and tho employment
of teachers.
Il am aware" said Mr.. Williams,
that the city cannot issue more bonds.
for, as heritage from a genera ton
that is gone, have come down many
debts that were met by the issuance
of bonds, and these have run the to-
tai to an amount that makes it inn
possible to issue more bonds. What is
the difference, though, between issuing
bonds, on which interest would have to
be paid. and in accepting a gift OF
money from Mr.. Carnegie that would
carry with it the obligation to pay an
nually 10 per cent. of the amount ac-
cepted, and that in perpetuity? The
people should thoroughly consider such
a contract as this before they enter
into it. 1t would serve to keep taxes
up. and all classes would feel the bur-
den.
II do not believe that an appropria-
ton for such purpose could be law
fully made. 1t would be class legisla-
ton, and l do not consider that it
would stand before the Supreme
Court"