The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-03-06
WHY THE LIBRARY
ASKS SUPPORT
The Income of Trust Property Is Not
Sufficient to Maintain the Library
and Meet the Indebtedness and
Mortgage on Aldrich Block


The city meeting warned for March 7
at 1880 p. m. ITO see if the city will vote
to give further support to the Aldricli
public library; and if so, how much Y
reminds US that more than 25 years have
elapsed since Mr. Aldrich's first attack
Of apoplexy that removed his familiar
face from business circles of the then
town and village of Barre.
Many persons now active in bdsiness
affairs never knew Mr.. Aldrich and of
the circumstances of his gift. We re.
print in this issue an article, written by
Mr.. Bisbee, that was published in The
Times Sept. %, 1908, at the time the
library was dedicated. Its publication
at this time seems appropriate not only
because OF Mr.. Bisbees intimate personal
knowledge of the facts stated; but be-
cause he was then speaking for the full
board of trustees, who then had like
knowledge, and several have since de-
ceased or removed from Barre The bank
building situated at the intersection Of
North Main and Washington streets that
was to be- held by the trustees, and its
net income expended for the mainte-
nance of the library consisted of brick
veneered building that had been erected
in 1902 with frame additions thereto;
and this building had become so much
deteriorated that most of its occupants
had removed to more desirable locations.
Properly to preserve the property, and
put it in desirable condition for renting
it was necessary for the trustees to ex-
pend large sums of money, in proportion
to its value, for alterations and repairs
from the foundation TO the roof, both
inclusive. The more recently erected
buildings on Main street, northerly. had
not been placed on a line with the AID
rich building, thereby giving an appear
ance that the latter building projected
into the street at the portion of its most
congested traffic
| The Aldrich land was not wholly Gov
cred by the buildings, and there was a
vacant space between them and the next
building north. The trustees took the
matter up with the city officials and
the owners of the Wood building; and
it was mutually arranged that the new
Aldrich building be located as it was
subsequently built. 1t was well known
that the trustees did not have sufficient
ANilu5 VI tAtt AAullCu t@tdlt WIN "HlJIl
to pay for the new building; that they
would have TO place . mortgage on the
block to obtain funds with which to erect
it, and be required to use :ents received
to extinguish such mortgage indebted
ness. .t-... -....-..-.
The new block was erected at an ex-
pense of S2s, 1880; and a mortgage
placed thereon Of $4,000, with interest
at five per cent. After the bank removed
from the old building the gross rentals
received therefrom was only about S200.
Unless the city makes larger appropri-
alton for the maintenance Of the library,
we understand, it will be necessary for
the trustees either to close or to limit
the use OF the library until the rents re-
ceived from the block have extinguished
the mortgage indebtedness.
The trustees have worked unsparingly
in marshaling the property Of the Al
drich estate both to provide and to main
tain the library; and, we believe, their
efforts are appreciated by The inhabitants
of the city.
Again, It might be said that for many
years past, at the request of the trls-
tees, the city auditors have audited the
books of the treasurer Of the library;
and the city thereby acquires informa-
tion as to the use of all money that
comes into the possession of the trustees,
1t is to be hoped there will be a good
turn out at the city meeting, and such
action taken as the situation deserves.
Some Of the facts as presented by Mr.,
Bisbee are as follows:
1t is not intended, while attempting
to present some of the facts and condi-
tions which have resulted in the erection
of the library building, to attempt an
eulogy, or an appreciation, of the life
and character OF Mr. Leonard f. Aldrich
by whose generosity it has been built;
but, perhaps, it ought to be said the
family name, Aldrich, has for many
years been we'll known in Barre
Mr.. Sylvanus AIdrich, the testator's
father, came here with his wife and two