The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1890-08-27
Better than a Monument.

Editor Of the Wdtchn,dn: Instead of in
venting some novel suggestion in regard to
Montpelier's needs let me bring up again
thought which has already been presented
more than once. Let me tell what has been
done elsewhere, and so intimate what might
be done here. A few weeks ago the Mabel
fainter Memorial Building" was dedicated
in Menomonie, Wisconsin, little city con-
tanning only about two thousand more peo-
pie than Montpelier. This building is an
elegant and massive stone structure eighty
six feet front by ninety-six feet deep, beau
tifully finished in marble, terra-cotta and
costly woods, and sumptuously furnished
with mahogany and oak chairs and tables,
heavy carpets and Turkish rugs, rich cur
tains and draperies. 1t is heated through
out by hot water, perfectly ventilated, sup
piled with attractive fire-places and lighted
by over six hundred electric lights 1t con-
tains fre-proof library, planned for 10000
volumes, a reading-room, an auditorium
capable of seating about 800 people, an as
sembly-room, young mems club-rooms, par
Tors and ladies' work-rooms pastors study,
dining-roOm and kitchen; and it represents
the purpose of Captain and Mrs. Andrew
Fainter "to accomplish something that
would be of permanent value and utility to
the citizens of Menomonie, to contribute
something toward the intellectual, social
and moral advancement and wel-being of
the community now and in years to come.
In providing the young mems club
room, we have endeavored to give the young
men of Menomonie a convenient and suit
able place for social gatherings, converse
ton, reading and proper amusements; and
we trust that it will be acceptable, and be
the means of promoting their intellectual
and moral well-being."
1t is the intention of the large-hearted
donors to fully equip the library and read
ingroom for the free use of the people of
the whole county; and they add; cit is
our wish that lectures, educational instruc-
ton and amusementS, as far as possible con-
sistent with the financial needs of the So
ciety, be made free; and especially do we
desire that you and your successors see to
it that the poor and unfortunate have every
possible opportunity and facility for attend
ing lectures and amusements in the Me-
mortal Building free of charge"
This building, as it stands to-day, repre-
sents an outlay of at least $50 900, and the
prospect is that tens of thousands of dollars
will be added to complete the benefaction,
in accordance with the wise and far-sighted
generosity of this successful lumber dealer
and his wife, and the loved daughter whose
name is given to the building; for it was in
accord with her wish that her parents made
her monument contribution to the welfare
of the living.
OF what incalculable worth would such a
gift be to our town! What promoter of
social unity, intelligence, temperance and
good morals would it bel What a blessing
f"CA q hoiP ~ bc
toward solving the hard problem of whole
some and elevating public entertainments
here! And what noble monument would
1t be to the memory of a loved father, mother,
husband, wife or child
Hold it free from the control of any one
religious society, however broad its views
and generous its sympathies; subtract ten
thousand dollars from the expense in orna-
mental lines, and devote the amount to
providing good gymnasium; and set
apart fund the income of which should 90
towards providing entertainments of a high
order-and what better institution could
be established among us? j. e. WRIGHT