The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1905-04-18

ence here. and / but voice the wish OF
all in expressing the hope for his res
tCration to health, and his enjoyment
Of the pleasant and ennobling sur
roundings that his success and gen.
erosity have so much promoted.
In the conception and early promo
tlon of this work, the late Cornelius
Aultman with his accustomed energy,
ability and public spirit was taking
leading part, when he was suddenly
cut down by death. He had, however,
before this done great service to the
association and expressed his inten-
ton of liberal contributions. After
his death, Mrs. Aultman and Mr.. and
Mrs. George d. Harter both in con-
summation of his wish and their own
desires regarding the library, took up
the work which Mr.. Aultman had left
and became large benefactors to this
association. DR.. Lewis Slusser, John
T.. Reynolds and Melville b. Cox also
first members of the board, now de-
ceased, were untiring in their efforts
in behalf of the library board, and
were liberal contributors. Much of
the success was also due to the con-
tributions and efficient services rem
dered by the other members of the
first board, Justice William r. Day,
Il. S. Shields. Mr.. Lynch was for
many years secretary and treasurer,
keeping with mathematical exactness,
an account of the bill unpaid for lack
of funds, and rendering periodically
faithful reports of the growing deficit.
Lest it might be thought Canton was
not appreciative, l may add that this
deficit has all been made good by the
generosity of our people without i'm
rairing our larger benefactions. The
only two members of the first board
who have continued to the present, are
Mr.. Johnson Sherrick and Austin
Lynch. In addition to the great bene-
factions of which | have already stat
ed. next, came that from the estate of
Mrs. Kate B. Aultman. Her generous
contributions during her life and the
large legacies which she bestowed
upon various institutions of this city
promotive of public good, entities her
20 the fondest remembrance of this
public. By the terms of her will she
gave $4,000 to this association While
it was not encumbent by conditions,
by order of the board 1t has been made
permanent endowment the income
to be used for the maintenance of the
/ 4 N nf ha
present board to secure a proper tables
commemorative of Mrs. Aultman's
goodness to this library, and give it
proper place within these walls.
Canton is fortunate in being the
birth place of one who favors us with
his presence tonight. and who, while
business calls him to the metropolis
| turns with an interested eye and We
know with fondness towards Canton
Such was his interest in this his native
city, and so intimate were his relat-
ions with that greatest master of
library as well as other benefactions,
that he directed Mr.. Carnegies
thoughts ant great generosity to turn
in our direction which resulted in Mr..
Carnegie's contribution of $50, 10000
for the erection of this building. Not
only has Mr.. Hawk interested himself
in this manner, but in addition, to-
Iday upon looking over this building
and observing its further needs, handed
to the committee having the Juvenile
department in charge, his check for
$500 to be expended for the equip
nent of that room and signifed his
intention to do more as required and
here and now, we all wish to tender
has done. For me to speak of Mr.
Carnegie and the great work he is do
ing for the social and intellectual de-
velopment of the people of his time,
would be to repeat a history of the
greatest business and philanthropic
accomplishment so far recorded AS we
think of its influence upon the present
and succeeding generations it is pos
sible to comprehend the effect for good
which the accomplishment of this one
nan, beginning life without favor or
fortune, has bestowed. We invited
Mr.. Carnegie's presence here tonight,
and regret that we could not have the
opportunity of rendering him in person
the thanks of this city for the gift
which erected this beautiful building.
We shall ask Mr.. Hawk who enjoys
the acquaintance of Mr.. Carnegie, to
extend to him our thanks and express
our appreciation. 1t was a wise bus
iness foresight on the part of Mr.. Car
negie to make as condition of this
gift, that the city levy tax annually
for the support of the library equal to
10 per cent of the gift, thus placing
this property upon the sound financial
basis enjoying as 1t will an income OF
$GO00.00 from the City, which added
to the income from the Aultman in
yestment, makes total of 100000 PEI
year, l wish also to mention in this
IcOnnention the liharaI aunnnrt which