Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-02-10
CITY COUNCIL.

last:
A petition was read asking that the
sum of 81 800 be pledged to secure the
gift of S25 600 offered bv Andrew
Carnegie for free, public. library, the
petition being signed by so taxpayers
There were also four papers read in
disapproval of this plan signed col
lectively by 3S6 citizens who asked that
the gift be not accepted but that tax
levy be made to create fund for the
purpose of building such library. The
petitions were referred to the finance
committee. Hon. Neal Brown
addressed the members with reference
to his correspondence with Mr.. Car
negie and stated that there were no
conditions made by Mr. Carnegie inIo-
mating thermoney other than that ten
per cent. of the donation should be
raised by the citizens annually in keep
ing up the institution. Principal o. E.
Wells of the Training school was of the
opinion tnat a better opportunity of
securing money for the building of a
public library would not be presented
and was in favor of the acceptance of
the gift. He also stated clearly the
needs for a public library. &. ID.
Jones, president of the school board
stated that many other cities, had ac-
cepted similar gifts from Mr.. Carnegie
for such a pnrpose and why not this
city: The matter of any of our pri-
vate citizens making such donation is
simply one Of their own free will and
he had no criticisms to offer 5hat none
had seen tit thus far to make such an
offer. Karl Mathie, superintendent of
the city schools was of the opinion that
Mr.. Carnegie's gift should be accepted
for library is essential to the city's
needs. There was no one present to
speak for the remonstrances to the first
petition.
A petition was read signed by a large
number of people living in the north
part of town asking that an engine
house be built on Bridge street, plans
for which were drawn by the city engi-
neer and filed with the city clerk long
ime ago. This was referred to the
committee on fire
A petition asking for the construc-
ton of foot bridge across the Wiscon-
sin river in the north part of town was
read and referred to the committee on
streets and bridges. A similar petition
was once before referred to the com
mittee. which failed to report on same.
The petition for street railway fran
chises were Withdrawn as according to
the state laws cities have no right to
grant franchises to individuals, but to
corporatious The local parties have
already incorporated under the state
laws and the ST. Louis parties have
stated that they will do likewise and
both petitions will perhaps be again
presented at the next regular meeting.
The committee on public property
was ordered to place in repair the lift
bridge near the McEachron mill.
1t was decided to give the Wausau
Cemetery Assn. quit claim deed to a
small strip of land dividing the associa-
tion's property, ard owned by the city.
The land was originally purchased to
be used for the burial of paupers but
was never used for such purpose
An ordinance providing for the COM
pulsion of the st. Paul R'y. Go. to place
fiagmen at its Scott, Jefferson, Wash
ington aud Jackson street crossings
was referred to the committee on
ordinances.
Aldermen Lilieqvest, Kruger and
Powers were appointed committee to
look up site for a new city building, it
being thought a new building will
necessarily have to be built ere long
City Attorney Nj. B. Rosenberg was
instructed to proceed by condemnation
procedure in opening up Kickbusch
street acrosss the ST Paul R'y CO.. )
right-of-way. The property holders on
the east side of the track have offered
to donate land for such a street
The mayor called (has Burke, presi
dent of the council, to the chair, and ad
dressing the body, stated that charges
had been made that the financial affairs
Of the city had 5ten juggled during the
past administration aud that com
mittee had been appointed to investi-
gate Such committee when called
upon for a report had asked for longer
time and the services of an expert ac-
couniant, which had been granted, and
still there was no report forthcoming
He deemed it necessary to the best in
terests OF the pc eJple that report be
made at an cary date.