The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-10-11

MEssRs. EDITORS 1t is with pleasure
that now avail myself of contributing to
the "People's Column" making more eI-
tended suggestions in regard to the much
discussed "Free Reading Room" In
last weeks issue saw no less than three
articles on the subject, the first of which
strongly advocates 'hotel patronage"
To comply with the rules above, l feel
unable to show and convince the people
of the "unreasonableness" of it, not be-
cause l could not do so in respectable
language" but because it could not DO
done without taking up more space than
is allotted. The second article, signed
ga Reader" is important for many rea-
sons. In the frst place he tells how the
''reading rooms" of six years ago was
"born, alas to die' death in infancy.
| He tells us that they had mountain to
climb, and that mountain was nothing
less than "society." Warns us to- be
aware to ascertain what is wanted before
we spend money, Finally closes with
''little advice" to the ladies' working for
the Home Mission and to tho temperance
reformers to open a sociablo room, instead
of trying to force their option. In the
first place will inform ga Reader" that
the founders of the dead reading room
neglected to make proper provision for
the support of the same. In the second
place the founders were all men of means
belonging to class No. one. Not one does
the author Of the article name was COM
pellod to "obtain his livelihood by the
sweat of his brow" hence the working
man was loft out in the cold, had no part
in the foundering and therefore did not
take interest enough to patronize it by
his presence. The advice given, which
mention above, is good and should be
pondered over thoughfully and acted up
ON wisely. In article third, signed "F
NJ" decidedly wrong view is taken in
regard to the question asked by me in 0
previous article, twill it payP" merely
meant to ascertain the views of the PEG
pie wether it would pay to solicit dona
tions and spend the "cash' in the manner
i heretofore suggested. l did not mean tt
ask wether it would pay financially, bu
would it prove successful, would it bC
patronized by the class Of people tina
need the advantages and would they be
benefited intellectually. Now coult
there not be an association formed com
prising about 200 members at a joining
: fee Of 10 cents and membership fee oil
= B cents week, for which the privilege o
taking out book weekly might be allow
ed. 200 members at weekly fee OF
: cents would amount to nothing less thai
$500 annually. Could not an association
8 of this size be formed here in Newark
v out of population of nearly 1900 pee
, pie. Would not $500 dollars pay thu
v room rent, pay janitor and replenish til
library to some extent each year. Peopl
n of all classes might become members Q
~ the association and thus aid in the SUI
. port of the room. Ofcourse the ''readin
5, room" should be frequented by the worl
ing people, and if the $50 called bette
class" do not condesoend to associate wit
D. ''toilers for bread" and the "thirstei
after knowledge" let him take volum
T., home with him and enjoy it there, remot
y from Gus low class of working people"
% READING Room AGITATION.