Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1910-01-07
THE new COUNCIL.
Continued from First Page.)

manent improvements in the line OF
street crossings, drainage and sewer
age, etc, for which l feel that they
merit the highest credit, still l can
not understand why they failed to
levy tax for the maintenance of our
public library, the pride of Perrys-
burg. Surely, this library, nearly as
important in the education of our
DC ople as the public schools are in
the education of the coming genera
tion, where the poor, or the children
of the poor, are the peer of any citi-
zen when they enter its portals, an
institution where those who cannot
afford to buy books and still seek
knowledge at recreation in reading
may enter, be maintained.
| trust that this council will be in
heart kindred to the spirit of one
Willard V. Way, who by his wise and
beneficent will, intended thus to fur
nish intellectual food to all. But
some may ask, why did not Mr.. Way
provide for all expenses to run our
library? If farmer leaves his son
by will, an so acres of land, do you
think it would be wise to also endow
him so that he can pay the taxes
thereon. l say no. Did the great
philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, pro-
vide for the expenses of the many
libraries he has given for the benefit
of the people regardless of class, in
the many different cities? No. Why
not? In answer to this, l apprehend
that Mr. Carnegie, in the same spirit
as his predecessor, William V. Way,
felt that if there was not sufficient
public spirit in community to main
tain library after it had been given
to them, that they are not entitled to
possess one.
AS to the value of the Way library,
it is beyond question to estimate it.
brary for nearly thirty years, and
have read books that would easily
figure in value $4,000. To my per
sonal knowledge, hundreds of fami
lies have enjoyed this library as much
as | have.
Also, beg to inform you that it is
entirely within your power to provide
money for beautifying our little park
Hundreds of citizens as well as
strangers; who have admired thi:
beautiful spot, probably did not know
that the town was indebted 10 {
few of our progressive citizens-f
class of citizens who have alway:
been given the august privilege o
paying their taxes, but nothing more
not even the right to vote, class o
citizens to whom the baroness of the
park under the shadow of the majes
tic soldiers monument was so intol
cradle that they raised the money b!
soliciting subscriptions, for the ex
pense of improving the park, which
has received so many favorable com
ments.
Our finances, as l before intimated
must receive most careful considera
tion. Main street should be paved a
soon as conditions will allow. What
ever work has been done on ou
crosswalks and sidewalks for severa
years past, has been Of a permanen
nature, and has added much to tn
beauty of our village
1t is my opinion that petitions TO
| lights will not be very numerous a
recent legislation has rudely apprise
us of the fact that they cost money.
Our water works board are to b
congratulated on the efficiency of tn
plant, as it apparently is running
satisfactorily and giving good sci
vice. 1t is to be hoped that the in
terest on the investment can be real
lied in few years, although the fir
protection the town receives iron
L
this plant would of itself have mad
the investment wise one.
The board Of health is also entitle'
to the highest credit for the fearles
manner in which they have perform
ed their duty. l do not believe tha
we had a single case of typhoid feve
this year and but one case last yeaI
And this speaks volumes, especially
when our county papers report 81
many deaths from typhoid feve
every fall.
In conclusion, / wish to state tina
Perrysburg is one Of the most favor
able locations for residence in thu
state. We are just close enough t.
the city of Toledo to enjoy its advan
tages and just far enough away s,
that we do not need to tolerate an.