Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-05-20
THE MECHANICS
OF Memphis are Directly Interested in
the Establishment Of Library
and They Ought to
Help as Much as They Can to That End
A Direct Call on Some Of the
Best OF Them

One of the main objects in establishing
library in the city il that there may be
place where working men and women can
have the free use of papers, magazines and
books, & pleasant plsce of resort for then,
where, Of evenings and Sabbsths, they can
meet each othsr and enjoy advantages which,
without tree library, only the wealthy can
now have. The influence for good, in making
better men and women, better and more
liable lsborers, and more orderly and law
abiding society by the establishment OF
Libraries, has not only been demonstrated
in cities snd manufacturing communities,
but has been universally conceded. Free
reading rooms hsve become an Acknowledged
Necessity in connection with every large
manufacturing establishment in England
and IN the Eastern Stats of America. Pro-
pTietOrs OF these establishments have found
that they are the most potent factors in
moulding the habits oil their mechanics and
laboTers 10 sobriety, economy and industry;
and towns aud cities have found them better
than expensive police and co.tly i.ils. Ii
has become an axiom Of political economy
that 10 town or county can have prosperous
manufactures without educating the opc-
rstives, and that the free library is the most
powerful and cheapest factor in this educa-
ton, while the operatives themselves have
the library is their most cheerful resort and
best friend. Memphis is fast becoming a
manufacturing center. So far, however, no
one establishment is large enough TO main
tain 8 separate readlng>room or library for
Its operatives. Nor are there operatives
enough at any one establishment to buy
| books aud papers for reading-room for
| themselves. Fortunately, just at this
| time an opportunity presents itself
by which with small assistance from
| each the great want can be supplied.
| The library now contemplated will arrange
| to supply this very need. There all the
latest papers and periodicals, with the best
| of books, will be at the service of the hum
blest mechanic and his family. He will be
| made welcome to its free use. Here the
clerk from the store, the mechanic from the
| shop, the sewing girl from her machine, can
| come for an hours recreation and improve
ment. Another reason for their joining in
this work is that by doing 30 they will feel
that they have an interest in the library
when finished, and thus be encouraged to it's
use. Ii is therefore to the Interest of both
the proprietors and operatives OF every man.
1 ufacturing establishment in Memphis, that
| this library should be completed at once
and it is their duty, each 10 his ability
and should be the pleasure of all to aid in
| mahinS this a suCCSocs II IL impOeclDit IOl
the ladies TO canvass this matter as fully al
it deserves. Now it is suggested that sons
one man in each of the manufactures in the
city canvass this matter with his brother en-
ployes and get up subscription from eact
ests Establishment, and let the proprietor or cor.
| poration head the list with something hand
some for his men. We know there are man,
intelligent foremen of departments and la
borers who see and feel the need of thi
library and would be glad to have it 70
themselves and their ia miles, aud woulS
cheerfully assist to their ability. Such mel
as GArside, at Chickssaw Iron Works; West
bay or Wainwright at Livsrmore Foundry
Ramsey, at Mississippi and Tennessee rail
road shops; Burford, at Memphis an
Charleston railroad shops; McDermott, a
Milburn Works; Clark, at Pioneer Mills
Tomlin, at Woodruff & divers, and other
that might be mentioned will, we know, b
alive 10 the importance of the work. LIE
them start the good work aud report result /
this Office. The APPEAL will hand TO th
l,dies any subscriptions, and publish same