Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1887-1890, 1888-05-26
PUBLIC LIBRARY.
STRONG PLEA FOR "A READING
ROOM WITH BOOKS, ETC.
Coffee, Lunch and a Place to PLAY Chess +,
tse at Handsome Points for the G,lid-
ance of the Managers.

Great Falls has the reputation of boom
| ing When the big smeter is done it
will grow even more rapidly. Now.
which will you choose-a quiet, orderly
city, or rough, noisy camp? 1t is for
you to choose-you, the original and per-
manent inhabitants. With the opening
OF the works, there will be large and
sudden increase of population-mo mostly,
| OF course, workingmen without families.
Having no homes, these men must 60
somewhere, and if no place is provided
for them, they will lounge in the streets
OF saloons, waste their time and money,
put stuff sin their mouths to steal away
their brains" and in this irresponsible
condition create disturbances of the peace,
10 avoid all this get ready to welcome
these men to a pleasant retreat, occupa-
ton and amusement, and help to make
them gentlemen, safe to meet on the
streets. Call it philanthropy, if you will,
but call it businesssand common sense.
The money spent in drink is much bet
ter spent among your merchants for
clothing and decencies of life, and it is
cheaper to protect life and property by
prevention than by cure.
What is my idea?
Why, open reading-room and library |!
If, in connection with it, you can open a
parlor for amusements and d restaurant
where hot coffee and neat lunch can be
served, SO much the better. But the
reading-room and library anyway! Per
haps your young city can not afford the
expense at present. Then let it be a pr-
vate philanthropy. Merchants can we'll
afford to donate room and furniture,
and your young people, with a little eff
tort, can give an entertainment that will
provide funds for library--a good start,
at least, Have the room warm, we'll
lighted, neat and pretty = a net
to catch those who might stray
into saloon for want OF better
place. There should be tables containing
the best periodicals for reading in the
room. There should be copies of your
home paper and each of the prominent
territorial papers like the Herald, indie
pendent and Stock Journal of Helena. the
Miner and Inter Mountain of Butte. the
Rocky Mountain Husbandman, etc. Then
the best western publications, like West
Shore of Portland, Ore, Golden Era of
San Diego, CAL, and Overland MONTHLY
and Pacific States of San Francisco. both
dealing with the historic past, and the
living present. Then there is the
Century Magazine, elegantly illustrated
and crowded with the best articles. The
series OF articles by Theodore Roosevelt
on Montana cattle ranches, the roundup. |
etc., will interest all. Mr.. Kenan's series
on "Siberia and the exile system of Rus
sia, is valuable and intensely interesting.
''The Life Of Lincoln" is full. Eggleston11
"The Life of Lincoln" is full. Eggleston's
serials, which has Lincoln for one charac-
ter, like all his stories, is full of life and
interest. The St. Nicholas, a monthly |
magazine for young people, is exquisite |
IN Its completeness and belongs in every
reading room. The American Magazine
proves its name, but representing the best
literature and engravings. The Cosmo-
polltan has some new features that are
attractive. One is E. P. Roe's novel,
Miss Lon," another is the delicately col
pred engravings. The April number had
! fine biographical sketch of Louise NJ.
Alcott. "Woman" is new monthly that
worthy. The May number begins q series S as
Of articles by Helen Campbell on "The
Prisoners Of Poverty Abroad" finely il
lustrated. Everything is first-class in the
makeup Of "Woman." Lippincott's month
y is unique in its publication of a com
olete novel in each issue, and in various
"No name Number" and
sWoman's Number" etc. "The Library
Magazine published by Alden is invaua-
Die for a reading room. His new maya
zine, Literature, is also desirable. Donot
,orget they outhsC Companion, ,'itis unpar-
'lelled. Lathrep's magazines are desira-
Die, too. Have copies of Detroit Free
.ress, Arkansaw Traveller, and some big
'ity weeklies, and you are ready forread
rs.
In another communication | will re-
some books,
F. A. REYNOLDS.