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

funds before the gifts of Mr.. Clark,
Mrs. Aultman or Mr. Carnegie. the city
council came forward and levied a tax
which yielded the association for
number of years, from $1,000 to S14,-
loco. The school board also appre-
ciative of the usefulness of the library
10 the school children, contributed
for a time towards its maintenance.
OF the collections which have been ad-
ued to the library through the gener-
osity of others, | am pleased to mem
ton the choice collection of rare and
valuable volumes given the associa-
ton by Mrs. Odbert and Mrs Me-
Neil, which belonged to their father,
the late Col. Young. We OF the older
citizens have the kindest remembrance
of Col. Young, and know with what
interest he made this collection of
books and particularly so many rare
and interesting volumes. A special
case has been provided for their prop
or preservation.
After the death of DR.. Phillips whom
we all so favorably knew for many
years, and fondly remember, his
daughter, Mrs. r. S. Amber presented
his valuable collection of books to this
association sa
The older ciUlzens also well remem-
her Mr.. George F. Wallace. who was
An extensive traveller and collector of
rare and valuable curios After his
death, Mrs. Wallace bestowed these
upon our association. | can not on
this occasion name all who deserve
pI ointment mention for their valuable
assistance and contributions towards
the support of our library, but to all
who have given even to the smallest
contributor, have the pleasure at this
time and place to express the thanks
of the library board and the lovers and
appreciators of literary work for what
they have done.
In the erection of the building, the
board secured competitive designs
from three firms of architects, two
from New York and one from this
city. In the erection of any one of
their designs would have done credit
10 the association. After carefully
considering the requirements it was
decided to accept the plans prepared
by Mr. Tilden OF the various COM
that of Messrs. Robert H. Evans &
Co., of GAINESVILLE, were the lowest.
In the carrying out of these plans so
prepared by Mr.. Tilden and the con-
struction of the building, the library
board has been actuated by the earnest
desire to make the best possible use of
the gift of real estate by Mr.. Clark
and the fund for the building by Mr..
Carnegie, and to give to the people of
Canton for all time substantial
building with the best possible adap-
tion to library wants. The building
is strictly fire proof. its foundations
broad and deep. its superstructure Of
tie most enduring material that the
builders science has thus far devel-
Cped, and the structure should stand
through centuries monument to
those whose beneicence made it pos
sible, and perpetual help in the in
tellectual development of the people.
The library opened with 1900 vol
umes, has now 10000 and the building
a capacity of $4,000 volumes.
1t has been the uniform require
ment of Mr.. Carnegie where he has
given libraries, not only that the city
bind itself to taxation for support,
but to place the legal title of the real
estate in the city, and now Mr..
Mayor, have the honor by direction
of the library board to give to you
as the representative of the city, the
deed of conveyance, conveying the
title to this property, reserving, how
ever, its use and occupancy to this as
scciation so long as it shall maintain a
free public library, and If at some re-
ymote period this association should
cease, still this acceptance binds the
city to the maintenance for all time
of public library. I beg you to ac-
cept this on behalf of the city, and
express the wish of all that 1t may
continue for all time. to be a source
from which the people shall draw
intellectual good.
Mayor Smith responded to Mr.
/, Sd5e . duuIeoS dlleI lhe applause nav
subsidized, In few remarks in which
he thanked the president and the
other members of the committee fol
their work in the establishment of the
building apd commented on the beau
ttful architecture. He also thanked
Mr.. Carnegie for his gift and express
ed his appreciation of the work dons
, by Mr.. Hawk in behalf of Canton.
, Mr.. Hawk then spoke for a few
,, minutes, congratulating the people O
cahton on the building which they
: had just completed and commented
, very favorably upon the style ant
architecture of the building which h,
!. placed on a level with other similal
: Institutions throughout the country.
This completed the ceremonies afte