Evening journal., 1904-06-23
LIBRARY MATTER
WAS DISCUSSED
City Council Will Probably
Grant Increase Asked for,
Tonight
Mr., NIELDS EXPLAINS THE SUBJECT

The Wi;miaglor institute Free Library 81
request OF an allowance from city Coun-I
eli Of $50 year for each $1,000 donated col
that institution was discussed at public
hearing IN Councils chamber last night.
Among the members Of The library board
who were present iu the interest OF the
Institution were William T.. Bancroft
John u. Niolds. Wilmer Palmer and j.
Newan Gawthrop.
MIR Nields said that the city library
must have $1,000 additional income TO con-
tinue its present work. The ordinance be-
fore Council provides that for every sluoO
donated to the library from private
source $50 shall be appropriated annually
by Council II the ordinance IS passed II Is
probable that a gift of $4,000 viii be re-
ceived IN the near future. This donation
will yield an income OF $1,000 and will cal
from the city another SiO00. In tnis way
the immediate need Of 5000 will be met
and the city saved $1,000.
The objection that the annual approprl-
alton must be perpetual IS met by these
considerations. First unless per cent. Of
the amount Donated TO the city Is an
nually appropriated by Council TO sustain
the gift no public spirited citizen Is willing
to give. Second: Many hundred Carnegie
libraries have been accepted by cities Ike
Wilmington and the Councils IN those
critics have agreed to annually appropriate
10 per cent OF the gilt. Here the amount
requested is per cent. Third: The object
Of the appropriation Is popular education
which IS perpetual in its nature and must
be for all time an object for city eXpendi-
ture.
Mr. Palmer said the library Is doing
great work and is reaching the children OF
all classes. particularly the poorer ones.
The library. he said. must 80 backward II
Il does not get the money and at the besi
can only stand still.
In answer to a question by Mr. Zeb.ey
Mr.. Bancroft said a trust company he,'
a mortgage against the institution bu
thar it could not be foreclosed under an.
conditions
Mr.. Nields was asked relative 20 i'm
provemonts and establishing branch q
braries but he said this could not be don
now end that the only thing tho bolrd wa
striving for was maintenance.
Daring the discussion it became know
that the present City Council chamba
I
boyhooj days Of Mr.. Bancroft. who is
member Of the present board uf manager
OF the Institute Library and took rar
in ,hs discussion last night.
The finance and Jaw committees wi
probably report favorably ON The requcs
tonight.
The request of the Board Of Park Com
missicnors that bonds to the amount q
$4,000 be issued for park Improvement
for the present year and also 1905 wa
brought up. Under an act OF The Genera
Assembly bonds 10 the amount Of 5000
were TO be issued. Bonds for $4,000 hav
been ISSUED. leaving $4,000. As the boar
has $1,000. to devote to improvements. II III
queated that bonds for $4,000 be issued.
Mr.. Bancroft made a statement on bs
half of the board IN which he outline
just what that body wished 10 DO. an
Mr.. Gawthrop made a similar statement
Mr.. Zebley thought bonding the cit
to greater extent was a serious propl
sition. and he refsrred to the fact tina
the Street and Sewer Department Is an
able TO make necessary improvements {
streets.
Mr.. McCafferty was in favor Of the itel
for the establishment Of bathhouse nea
Delamore Park. Euch was essential I
the safety OF the children he declare,
who have no place to battle and who an
frequently drowned In the river. Th
one item led him to favor an the items.