The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-05
A WORKINGMEN'S RESORT
SADLY NEEDED IN THIS CITY
A READING ROOM
Buga Rs the Place Best CRIou
lated TO Entertain Their Leis-
ure Hours.

In the issue OF the 9th OF Novem.
Der OF the Southern Record, Of our city,
the editor moves" that steps be
taken to provide public library and
reading room for the working class. l
second that motion with all my heart.
In fact, l had fully intended making
the motion myself in the APPEAL Of
December 9th, but our thoughtful
editor anticipated me, for which l am
glad. The Record says:
Why don't some Of the organisations take
this matter in hand and build place Of that
kind where werkingmen could spend their
evenings in improving their mindsf II
would prevent q great deal of drunkenness
and crime, the arsl step Of Which Is elton
man, probably. a stranger, goes 70 spend his
evenings, net for the love Of drinking aAd
carsusing, but becauso he 10 lonessme and
wants to 90 sOmew hero, and he knows that
saSus & ms T Is ssps aS l St sn.s
The time, 10 has learned 20 like
strsng drink ans, the oSnpanionship
make q wreck Of what might have been
good and useful life.
Any woman who has ever been on
Jail vi ting committee can testify 10
the truth Of this. At least one-half of
the young men with whom | have
talked in our County Jail have told
me that their first step in wrong doing
was taken in this way. They were
strangers, PEI haps poor, unemployed
and shabbily dressed and no place but
the saloons gave them welcome. /
think II our business men were APP
preached on this subject they would
respond literally. Many OF them are
self made men and they remember
what it wss to be poor and strangers
in strange land, aud have faith to
believe they would be glad to extend
such a helding hand TO the young
workmen OF our city. Aud 80 believ-
ing intend at as early a date as pos
bible TO set on foot movement by
which they will be enabled to prove
that my faith in them was not without
foundation.
The editor Of the Record speaks Of
"building a plaza Of that kind" That
is certainly desirable, but we must
wait some time before it can be ac-
complished. Meanwhile l see no
reason why we should wait. A good
hail could be rented, beginning with
January, 1887, and plainly but com.
fortably furnished at small cost. 1
was talking the other evening with a
practical man and we figured Il up,"
and found that hall could be rented
for year and furnished with stoves,
book cases, tables, chairs, etc., at a cost
Of about $500. Moreoyer--I always
strike while the iron 10 hot-I obtained
a promise OF $50 to begin with. Then,
instead Of waiting for q fund where
with to bay library let contributions
be solicited, and I am sure we can get
a nucleus in that way. Aud l can
| put my finger upon several women
who will gladly save papers, mega
ZINES, etc, and carry them to the hall
every week; and Ia that way many
can be supplied with reading matter
who are unable 10 buy it. And II the
hall were once opened entertainments
could be given for the benefit OF the
library and for running expenses.
This is pet scheme around which
my hearts desire has revolved for 10
these many days, and want to see it
perfected quite as much for the bene.
AZ Of our working women as for the
working men. We have In our city
hundreds OF working women, employed
In stores, factories, millinery establish.
ments, and many toiling with their
needles at home, for a pittance that
barely keeps soul and body together,
Nobody thinks OF these women,
Neither rest, recreation nor means Of
improvement Ia provided for them
Thus far they have lived among US q
forgotten class 30 far an any public
recognition is concerned. The people
Of Memphis are public spirited, bul
thus far they have not impelled this
spirit in q progressive direction. As
regards institutions Of this kind we are
far behind our sister cities. Friends
this state Of things should not be sui
iered 10 continue. Let us open OuI
hesrts, onr minds, our sympathies and
our purses and put this scheme into
effective operation and let us do II
now. Yours for progress,
a.. rsssss .LIDE MERIWRTHER.
N----------sssi