Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 35, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 January 1903 — Suggestions About the Library Propo sition. [ARTICLE]

Suggestions About the Library Propo sition.

Editor Republican: Appropos of the. offer of Hon. Andrew Carnegie to ereot a pnblio Library building in Remeselaer provided tb* city will famish the site and will gnarantee SIOOO per year for itsmaintenanee, I would like to make a suggestion. The city already has an ideal site. One that is centrally located and free from objectionable surroundings. The site I have in mind is the triangle just east of J. W. Williams’ residenoe, and 1 believe, known as Weston Park. Should this site not meet with general approval, any other centrally located site would be acceptable that can be agreed npon, provided it can be obtained for a reasonable price. The question of raising the SIOOO annually requires a definite solution. 1 would sug? gest a union of interests between the oity and Marion township.

As the law now is Marion township levies annually 2 cents on eaob SIOO valuation, and this is turned over to the public library. This is a permanent fund, having been voted by the people and capnot be revoked except by a voto of tae people. The Common Counoil are now authorized by a law to levy a Library tax not to exceed sixtenths of a mill on each dollar valuation. The present valuation, less mortgage indebtedness, is $1,194,333. This will raise $71660. The township valuation less mortgage indebtedness, is $963,888 and present revenue is $192.77 making a total for city and township of $909.37, which is not quite enough. I believe that if a bill was introduced in the legislature increasing the power of the Com. mon Council so that they may increase the levy, if necessary, not to exceed one mill on each dollar of valuation, that it would meet with the approval of the tax payers ,pf the city, and I believe that an amendment of that'kind, to the present law would carry. No man can estimate what the benefits to our city would be by accepting the proposition of Mr. Carnegie. It means ten thousand dollars to our city, and perhaps ten times ten thousand to the sons and daughters of its people. We have, I believe a Commercial -Club, in our city. Would it not be wise for this organization to take this matter up. It may not be commercial, but it is in the line of the city’s welfare. In any event we ought to accept this proposition if there is a way that it oan be done. If any citizen has a plan by which this end can be attained, he ought to speak. Respectfully,

C. E. MILLS.