The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-05-05
THE OLD COURT HOUSE,
What Shall We Do With It?-Sug-
gestions for Library and Rest
Room.

Shall we let it remain, or shall we
remove it9 Shall we let it stand, and
use it for other purposes after we
cease to employ it as it is now en-
ployed7 Or shall we tear it down, or
sell, or give it to some one to be torn
down9 These are questions which
must soon be determined by the pco-
pie Of Newberry county, or their
agents, for it is probable that all the
offices there now, including the circuit
court will be moved to the new build
ing in the course Of six or eight
weeks. Some persons favor the de-
omiltion Of the edifce--some Of them
desiring only open ground where it
stands, others suggesting diminu-
tive sort of park. 1 do not see what
kind of grounds in the nature or a.
park could be laid out shcrc. The
space is too contracted; and if il were
used in that way, it would prove. |
. am sure, only loafiny place for
negroes, and chiefly the more pre-
tentlous women Of that race, who, in
their fine attire, and with their baby
carriages, would much enjoy the
shades and gravellcd walks Of such
resort. 1t would not pay the town
or county to prepare and keep up
such a pleasure-ground. Nor can
see how it would benefit the public to
remove the building and leave
bare, open plaza or square. That
might enhance the value of property
lying on the northwest side; but it
would not help the people of the coun-
ty.
IT the county could realize hand
some sum of money from the sale Of
the building Ito be taken down and
carried away, thrift would suggest
that we sell it. But what could we
get for it? The expense Of tearing
down and hauling away, and the loss
OF material, would be so great that no
man acquainted with such things
would pay one-tenth Of what il
would cost to erect such building.
I doubt if we could get thousand
dollars for it. And what would one
thousand, or two thousand, or three
thousand dollars amount to in The
affairs Of this county9 Besides, is it
certain that the Cpate grant does
not require some building for public
purposes to be kept on the two acres
of land constituting the public squares
[ do not say that it does: shall have
to examine the deeds Of lease and re-
lease more carefully, before can un-
.dertake to say. But we should keep
that point in mind; for the rule Of
reversion in consequence Of non user
proves very troublesome now and
then.
think that the building should re-
main. 1t is fair specimen Of archi-
lecture, and, with the exception Of
the opera house and th2 Ncwbcrry
hotel, it is decidedly the handsomest
building on the square. 1t is the an
cient landmark thereabouts. intimate
ly associated with the history Of the
county for more than fifty years, and
having personal associations for hun
dreds of our people. Our sentiment
should be utterly opposed to its de-
struction: and sentiment ought some
times to have Influence, even in this
rude, rushing, unfeelimg, money-grab-
bing and money-worshipping age.
Bat we need not decide the question
on sentimental grounds alone. The
building may be used for practical
public purposes. II must be used for
the benefit Of the county, let us bear
IN mind. IT would be unlawful, in
my opinion. to rent it Out for shops,
shows, or other private business. My
Sug"cstion-noi at all complete in
detail, and intended more To elicit
discussion than to present malurcd
schemes as follows: Let the town
library association, as ii exists, or
as it may hereafter be organized,
have the use Of the second floor, in
cluding the court room, the jury
roms and the judges room, the court
room to be used for library and
reading room, the other rooms for
retiring rooms, toilet, &C.; have the
privilege Of the reading room, and
that of reading any and all books and
periodicals, free to all white citizens
Of the county and all white persons
visiting the town, the privilege of
taking out books or periodicals to
be confined to subscribers to the IL
brary association, under such rcgula-