Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1903 — THOmPSON’S OPEN LETTER. [ARTICLE]

THOmPSON’S OPEN LETTER.

Editor of Republican: You said last evening, in reference to lots 6 and 7, block 15: “Some persons have suggested as a fit location for the new Library Building. That’s the place for it. • « • * Everybody in town and country will be satisfied.” In another column yon published that eight persons have subscribed $255 to buy a site lot 11 and 12, block 7. I think lots 11 and- 12, block 7, constitute the beet available site and will give more therefor than for any other site in the city. The directors of the Jasper Public Library as well as the school trustees favor Block 7. The public library bae made it first choice, and appointed a committee to raise money to buy it. Lots 6 and 7 in block 15 are appraised for taxation at more than twice $1,200, nor have they been offered for sale at even that price. No one has offered to give anything to buy such site. This matter is up to the inhabitants of the city and township to say in dollars and cents whether they want the library on any site. It is an obligation to pay something when the purchase price is contributed or something to start the library when the building is completed that counts. Such expression will enable the library board to select the site that can be most easily procured, with the best title, ana that will bring to its shelves the moat books sod that is, therefore, the moat suitable site. I have always believed that a tax on all the property to support a library, a gift by Mr. Carnegie of the building, and a gift by the patrons of the site would bring to the inhabitants the moat valuable library. The indefinite somebodies who wish to divides sentiment concentrating in favor of one site should make their suggestions in the form of a valid contract to pay. I have always believed that it was better to procure the site by subscriptions of not less than tl.oo or more than SIOO. Let all give something willingly, looking to tbeir ability and the valne they would receive. The following persons have subscription lists: ThomaA J. McCoy, Clarence D. Boyce, E. P. Honan, May Eger, John McColley and the undersigned. 8. P. Thompson. June 17, 1903,