Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1900-03-29


was organized by Mrs. Coleman, and
which has been adopted rs one oil
the cooperative works of the Fede
ration, under the head of library OK.
tension this branch has been given
the foremost place in our first years
work--a result of which is the estab.
lishlnent of several free libraries by
the efforts of club womon-nc.ably
those of Chester, Union and Seneca
The travelling library is conducted
upon the following plan: Cases,
strongly built of oak or some other
hard wood, are furnished by the
railroad; these cases have capacity
for about fifty-two octave volumes,
which are contributed by club wo-
men and their friends. The libraries
when collected are sent under the
care OF an agent to some remote sec
ton, where books are not easily OBJ
tanned, and there remain for the free
use of the community for thirty or
sixty days; upon request the time
will be extended to ninety days. The
library is then sent to some other
section and another takes its place.
Mrs. Coleman has exerted great
enterprise and energy to get the sys-
tenn in good running order and sue
cess is now assured. 1t seems pass
ing strange, however, that, while
great corporations recognize the
benefit Of this woman's effort to i'm
prove the youth and womanhood of
our State, through the refining inhu-
cnce Of good books, that individuals
composing the Legislature of South
Carolina should vote down small
appropriation, which a larger hearted
member of that body deemed but a
just acknowledgment of this labor of
love.
Strange, indeed, and still more 80,
when we arc told that the opposition
came from the farmer members.
Surely we are misinformcd when it
can be seen at glance that the bene-
fits of such work must accrue to
the farming sections.
The farmers are the bone and
sinew of our land; they largely
make our laws in their hands rest
the great possibilities Of our future.
Will they legislate against the cult
vation Of brain-mind Z?
Surely they all know the value of
good books and yet cannot realize
that there can be such thing as
mental starvation. South Carolina
has for too long borne the sncers of
others with regard to her illiteracy
this work of our women is one
way by which the percentage can be
reduced. The future will surely
bring more intelligent recognition of
our efforts, therefore we will work on
and wait.
Village Improvement is another
work of the clubs, in consequence
many a waste place is made to bios
som as the rose. 1t is safe to pre-
dict that the planting of trees in the
cities, the cleaning of streets, the
hygienic condition of schools and
other buildings will receive attention,
and we will be able as the ranks are
filled up 20 bring about a new condi-
tion of things.
Another cooperative work is the
establishing of free kindcrgartens in
factory communities and neglected
localities. This work is not yet as
well organized az it might be, al
though there is good work being
done in the State to limited cx-
tent. The reason why there has not
been a broader extension of the kim
dcrgarten idea is not from want Of
interest, but from want of knowl-
edge and ability of our Federation
to send organizers to those scctions
where kindergartcns are most needed.
10 the future for this work we must
look forward in believing faith. The
system is certainly n successful and
workable one, and should prove the
foundation for noble structure.
When our women take up with vigor
the establishing Of these formative
schools there will be less work for
the rcformcrs. If We push the work
cncrgctically and earnestly the leg
islaturc will surely come to our aid
the public schools will take it up
and children born in unfortunate en-
vironmcnts, either through the mis-
fortune or the vice Of their parents,
will be lifted above these sordid con-
ditions. If we take measures to pre-
vent the cause we, to the same de-
gree, lessen the effect.
Our very efficient chairman of the
education committee, Mrs. James II
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