Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1865-12-20
Something Needed.

Something needed,
It Is fact much to be regretted by all
friends of temperance, sobrietv, and NOR
atty, that there arc in our midst near
twenty drinking saloons and liquor shops,
where arIcnt spirits are dealt out to men
who use Them to such an extent as to often
become intoxicated, and made mad from
the eject And what is still more sur
prising, and to be regretted, they are all
apparently doing a very thriving business
MANY good citizens are asking, is there
no remedy for this evil That there are
many men among US who will make fools,
or brutcs Of themselves by an excessive
use of ardent spirits, in spite of all efforts
on the part of friends, we have little doubt
But we believe the evil may be remediod
in great measure, if our citizens will
take hold of the matter in proper man.
ner. Amusement and recreation for both
oil and young, is as necessary as food and
raiment After the tolls ofthe day, young
men in particular, feel ike mingling in
Joy themselves Where, in Mineral Point,
can they find place for amusement or
improvement of the mind? With 4 popu~
lation Of near four thousand, we have not
n Lvcenm, Lecture Room, Public
Library, n Reading Room, nor any other
public place where people congregate to
spend their leisure hours, except the sa-
looms and drinking houses Is it then to
be wondered at that the young are quite
too often lured into the paths Of immoral
ity and dissipation?
Our saloon keepers pay heavy license
for the privilege of dealing out the occurs
ed poison, and it IS not at all surprising
that they, like other men, desire a liberal
patronage. Selling ardent spirits is their
business, the right to carry on which is
literally paid for, and like the merchant
they hold out inducements to customers.
And while there are no other places of
resort for the young, rely uponit, the sa
looms will be literally patronized.
Our citizens are criminally deficient in
this respect Our German friends, we
arc told, haze organized an association for
improvement Of their musical talents, and
rented a room for regular meeting. We
trust they will he successful, and ere long
give Concerts. where people can spend an
occasional evening to advantage. But
this is not sufficient. A Lyceum among
~. l. I I
lied. \ course of Lectures might easily
be secured, at tri1ing expense. \ Read
ing Room should b. opened in connection
with public Library, where the young of
the city can frd amusement, and, nj the
same time, improve their intellects
Our citizents are generally liberal in
most enterprises, and we believe the
means might DO raised very readily for
procuring Library of valuable and in
tresting Books, and thus attract many
to other places of recreation than drink
ing saloons
We think If our City Council would
take action in the matter, Library might
easily be obtained. and Reading Room
opened that would do much towards keeps
In men from wasting their time at drink
Ing saloons, and probably save many
young men from disgrace and ruin
If our City Fathers viii not move in the
matter. and some one will proceed by sub
seription 70 1et a Public Library, we will
head the l.st lsr contributing twenty five