Connecticut western news., 1879-04-09

-ED1ToR NEWS: The annual meeting of the Canaan reading room was held Thurs day evening, March 27th. The report of the treasurer was as follows: Money con- trituted in March, 1878 $2o2. Furniture for room $46 45. rent $50. .OO. newspapers and magazines $74.34, total $l7O.79.
 A committee was appointed to solicit subscriptions for the coming year, and after a pretty thorough discussion of the affairs of the association it was voted to adjourn until the following Thursday evening, and to sell the old papers ard magazines at that time. This sale accordingly took place last Thursday evening, at which time goodly number of those interested in the enterprise assembled at the reading room and lively bidding on the papers followed. the receipts being $ll.78. But the pleasant social time was of more value than the cash receipts, although these were unexpectedly large. After, the following officers were elected for the coming year: Rev. H. l. Bodley. pres ident; D. l. Freeman, vice president Miss s. w.. Adam, secretary E. D. Lawrence. treasurer; A. T. Roraback, D. L. Peirce, N c. Ward, ex. com.
 The committee on subscriptions reported having collected $9o. .0O, which, added to the surplus in the treasury and the receipts from the sale of papers, makes a total of $l32. 99 now on hand. A subsequent meet tug of tue officers of the assoclatiOn was held On Saturday evening, April 9th. when it was decided to make some changes in the newspapers and magazines for the ensuing year. The following is list of those se- lecied: The New York Tribune, New York World. Hartford Times, Hartford Courant, Connecticut Western News, Berkshire Cour- fer, Winsted Herald, New Milford Gazette, The Venture, The Scientific American, The Agricuiturist, The True Flag, Harper's Ba- Ear, Harper's Weekly, Harper's Monthly, Scribner's Monthly, St. Nicholas. Also some weekly agricultural paper to be here after selected.
 The reading loom has been growing in popular favor during the past year. It was started as an experiment, but has proved go valuable that we trust it may become per manent institution. of which Canaan may well be proud. The amount of good result. ing from such an enterprise is incalculable, but some of it's benefits are already seen and felt. Not the least among these, and one which should be largely considered. is the social element the good will and friendly feeling that such thing fosters among ail classes, sects and parties. Here we can ard ought to stand on common ground. As fellow.citizens, neighbors and friends. ire spective of creed or party. Great care has been taken to make such selection of pa pers that no class or party need feel that any other has been specially favored. Il has been thought best to leave out all strict ly religious reading, and if any are disposed to think that the committee have not made fair and judicious selection, let them be assured that it results from error of judg ment rather than from lack of good inten ton.
 The President has many plans for in creasing the popularity and tfticiency of thu institution. and if bis fellow-citizens vii take hold of the work with him we shal find its power and usefulness increased fa more than some of us now think possible
 8. w. A.
 The walking match in town hall las Saturday terminated contrary to the ex- pectatioDs of everybody, and probably no } body was more disappointed with the resul than the winner, Matt. Monahan. Thel' . We're four entrees for the contest-J. A . Lyle of Albary, F. P. Barnum of Wetaug Matt. Mcnahan of East Canaan and Eugen Lord of Falls Village. At 9 o'clock, ta time appointed to start, Barnum had no arrived, and the start was postponed l minutes, when Rarnum not appearing, tn contest opened. with three competitors Lord immediately taking the lead, which h maintained until Loon, Monahan beln second and Lyle thrd. About noon, LOT took long rest by which he mere than los his lead Lyle rested about quarter of a hour. and Monahan but few minutes \ Lords best hold was ''spurting," and whe on one of his spurts, could Out-walk an
 
 : exhausted hlm, and he would relspse into very moderate walk Monahan's style o walking was a square heel and toe gail about 39 inches to step. and when exertin
 himself to the utmost his step was as squar and true as when on moderate walk, au U he has the power of maintaining ire mendous rate of speed for an incredibl space of time. Lyle steps about 47 inches with an easy moyements and when spurt ing, his gate would indicate run, diffelin in this from Monahan's firm heel-Aud toe l. After the first rest Monahan took the lesd which he kept till the end, being, at ahou three o'clock, two miles ahead of Lyle an over three ahead of Lord, who continue to lose ground. A. about 6 25 p. m. Mol ahan scored his .ftty males in nise hOu1 and eleUen minutes making the last mile i seven minutes and three-quarters, at whic time he was three and half miles ahea of Lyle, when he took short rest. Lyl scored his fiftieth mile at 7.l5, in just te hours. Lord, who was now several nil' behind. continued to plod around the track
 whistling and joking, with an occasions
 spurt, when he would shoot like au arro' t from bow, and glide around the trac t like ash for few laps, then settle dow d into an easy gait. The hall was we'll file 6 with spectators, and every advantage gain . ed by either of the coLteslants was lustil D cheered, but Monahan seemed 10 be th ia n1pulAr favorite Lords 50 miles wei e made in II hours. 36 minutes, about lh