The Mineral argus. [volume] (Maiden, Mont.) 1883-1886, 1885-09-24

EDirORs MINERAL Argus: Will you
kindly allow me space In your columns to
present for the cons liberation of your read
ers subject, which think will he of in
terest to Maidenites, ut least and perhaps
to those of the surrounding country?
Now that our camp has arrived ut that
stage OF development, when 1t has not only
the promise, but the assurance. OF bright
and prosperous future. think it is fully
time that something should be done to
provide the rapidly increasing population
Of Maiden with an abundance of good
reading matter 1t may be argued by some.
that all who wish to read can supply them
selves with the best of books. etc. very
small outly. aud consequently that there is
a necessity for concert IF action in the
matter.
To certain extent. this is true and yet.
cheap as books. papers and magazines can
he bought. it is a lamentable fact that a
large majority OF the population of such
camps as this. purchase or read but very
few of them and this. not from any lack
of appreciation Of good reading, for I con-
tend that the inhabitants Of these frontier
camps. will compare favorably with the
brightest communities in the land but
being here principally in the interests of
our pocket-books, We are too apt to neg
lect the better part of liie-the cultivation
of the intellect.
Young men of bright promise and high
aspirations. coming to camp like this to
work. generally bring with them but little
ex, ept what they actually need. thinking
to furuis b themselves with the convenien-
ces Of life later on. They find after their
days labor. no place of recreation in the
town of hi cher grade than the saloon or
gambling house. and thisher they 60 ITO
kill time" and they generally succeed most
admirably: for the deadesf of all dead
time las far as any good is concerned. either
bodily or mentality is that which young
man spends lonnging around saloons and
gambling tables. They soon form q habit
of attending these places and lore all taste
for good solid reading or study. and their
minds, for want of proper exercise, become
inactive and dormant. their aspirations are
deadened. and the bright promise Of their
future is never redeemed.
Very much Of this evil might be avoided,
l believe. IL the town supported q good
library and reading room. where. young
and old. could spend their leisure hours
with both pleasure and profit. To estab-
lish an institution Of the kind in town.
and keep it in good running order would
be but very small tax Oh the citizens of
Maiden. IL but the half I'll them would
take an interest in the matter, and the ben.
etits resulting to the toxn from such an en-
terprise would be Of inculculxble value.
AS the twix is cent. So the tree IL in
clined, is q proverb that is often applied
to youth and manhood. and believe that
it may. with good deal of truth be applied
to the growth Of towns and cities. A lit.
tie well directed effort. in our village OF the
present. will largely determine the char
acter of the city in the future, when il
numbers its population by the thousands.
Will the citizens OF Maiden make an effort
now, aud by their actions. show to the
world that they are here to stay. and have
an abundance OF confidence in The stabil-
iIy OF the camp.
might here suggest plan upon which
think library might he formed and car
ried forward successfully in Maiden, but !:
would take up too much space nj present.
and would prefer to have others. who are
better qualified and probably more inter-
esled than !. to take the matter in hand.
There will be obstacles and objections u
meet and remove aud considerable hard
work tn be done before the project can
be successfully carried out.
But to well ordered mind. Difficult
ties are hut the wii.tstune, IT, exertiOn."
and the results. firmly believe will pay
one hundred fold tor ali th. ianor involved.
Trusting that Others. more able and ex-
perienced. will take up this subject and
sif il thoroughly.
am yours respectfully. VULCAN.