Jasper County Democrat, Volume 6, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 August 1903 — THE MOREY RAISED. [ARTICLE]

THE MOREY RAISED.

The Carnegie Library to Be Erected In Rensselaer. All the money necessary to buy the Moss site for the Carnegie public library building was raised last week, and the building is now assured. While the solicitors had much to contend with, they not only raised the necessary SI2OO, but over 1200 additional to the amount needed, which will be used in beautifying the grounds or for other purposes. .It is hoped to begin work on the building this year. The stockholders of the Jasper public library and the citizens of Rensselaer met in the east court room at 3 o’clock last Saturday, pursuant to a notice issued by the officers of the present library of said city. Simdn P. Thompson was elected president and Arthur H. Hopkins was elected as secretary of said meeting. * The following resolutions were adopted: Resolved, that the stockholders of the Jasper Public Library do hereby approve and ratify the action of the managing board in donating to the public library board, on April IS, 1908, three hundred dollars worth of its books. Resolved, also, that the stockholders of the Jasper Public Library do approve and ratify the resolution of the Board of Directors, to transfer all the property of said library to the pnblic library when the building is completed on lots eleven (11) and twelve (18) in block seven (7) reserving to each stockholder the free use of said public library without farther security, and we authorize said board and trustee of Marion Township to omit any levy of tax for the year 1003, in favor of the Jasper Public Library. Resolved, that whereas, Andrew Carnegie, did on the 13th day of January, 1803, offer to the City of Rensselaer, ten thousand dollars, to be used in the erection of a library buildiug within said city, and whereas, the Rev. Clarence D. Royce, pastor of the M. E. church in our city, was instrumental in securing said offer, therefore, be it resolved, that we tender and extend to said Royce, our cordial thanks for his benificent services in securing’said offer.

Resolved, that we tender our cordial thanks to Jesse E. Wilson, for his successful offort in securing the passage of the statute under which we are enabled to comply with the conditions of the Carnegie gift of ten thousand dollars, and unite the township with the city in support thereof. Resolved that we thank the city council for requiring a site to be paid for and preserving Milroy and Westton Parks for the uses to which they were intended, by the donors. Resolved that we thank the Public Library Board, and each of its members for selecting lots eleven and twelve in block seven, Rensselaer, as a suitable site and we commend said site as central, accessable, commodious and the most suitable one in the city. Resolved, that we approved the resolution of the board of school trustees of the city of Rensselaer to merge the school library with the public library when its building shall have been completed, and thereby secure one library and one library tax in the city, Resolved, that it is the sense of this meetingthat we highly appreciate the action of the stockholders of the Jasper Public Library in consenting to turn over all books and library property belonging to them, to the new Carnegie Library when the same shall be built and ready for occupancy; that we thank all the individuals who have assisted to bring the Jasper Public Libtary to its present standard of excellence at the least cost to tbe tax payers; that we especially thank tbe directors, for their untiring efforts in keeping the library open to the inhabitants of Rensselaer, and Marion township, andtote feel that it is due to them, that the people have enjoyed tbe advantages of tbe splendid selection of books and current literature to be found on the shelves. They have served without compensation, and have performed alt of the duties required of them with cheerful patience, and we offer these words as a slight token of the appreciation we feel for their faithful services. Resolved, by the inhabitants of the city of Rensselaer, in mass convention assembled, that we express our heartfelt thanks to Andrew Carnegie for his gift of ten thousand dolligs, offered on January 13, 1003, and we rejoice that the city has been able to comply with all the conditions appended to said gift and we hope with said gift wisely used to secure the best possible home fora permanent library in said City. "Be it Resolved, that the thanks of the citizens of the City of Rensselaer and tbe township of Marion, be tendered to the Grand Army of the Repnblie and to the Daughters of the American Revolution as well as to all who have donated books or other articles of value to the Jasper Public Library, aDd also to those who have assisted in the management of said library by raising funds or by donating their sendees In order that the library might be kept open to the public; also be it Resolved, that in our opinion it is wise to accept the gift of Andrew Carnegie, on tbe conditions named by him, and that the city and township should join in levying a tax of not leaa than ten per cent of said gift, each year to equip and maintain a library in tbe bnikling erected with Mr. Carnegie's money,

Resolved that we return our thanks to all who contributed and subscribed money to buy the library site and we ask that their names be incorporated in this resolution without designating the amount given by any one and that such names be printed in nil tbe public newspapers of this city and that said newspapers be placed in tbe comer stone of tbe library building and in the scrap books of tbe inhabitants as worthy of remembrance. Whereas, it is come to our notice, that a library without books is a failure, and that a library building is bat a shell, into which is placed a kernel, books; therefore, be it resolved. that we express our thanks to those who have contributed to buy book* for the new library and to those who will hereafter so contribute to tbe new library before the dedication thereof. Resolved, that we appoint as a building committee to act with tbe library board in selecting an architect, plans for butlding, letting contract and directing the construction, tbe followlhg named persons, to srit; George H. Maleea, from tbe third ward; Delos Thompson from tbe second ward and Jesse E. Wilson from tbe first ward, and that In case of inability to aerve, that the library board appoint to fill vacancy, Resolved, that in our opinion the public library board, uniting with the city council, should levy a library tax of aeven-tentba of a mill on the dollar in favor of the new public library for tbe year 1908, and that no levy for either the Jasper or school library be made. Resolved, that in onr opinion the advisory board for the township of Marion and the

Trustee thereof, should levy a tax of one-fflOk of one mill on the dollar, of all the taxable property In aald Township in favor of the new public library for tbie year. On motion these proceedings were requested to be published ea e part of the history of the city in all the newspapers published herein. Simon P. Thompson, President. Arthur H. Hopkins, Secretary.