The Forrest City times., 1900-04-06
Library nass Meeting.

tuo Souib houst aptH =. utu. ueO. T.. Taylor WAS asked to preside and Jas. 5. Mcconnell was appointed as secre- tary. The minutes of the previous meeting not being prepared in written form Jas. $. Mcconnell stated orally the substance of what had been done at that meeting.
 The chair then called for reports of outstanding committees. X commit. tee consisting of w. German. <. IT. Mann. \. w. Norton and J. M. Prew- ett, who were to prepare charter--re- ported that they had not been able tp prepare charter because the associa- ton had no financial backing. The committee was left standing for future action.
 Committee on site, consisting of Mrs. Q. E. Rollwage. Mrs. w. German, l.. Rollwage and Gen. Geo. F. Taylor, re- ported that they had looked over the field for sites but could make no def. nite report, as they did not know what to pay for a lot nor the kind os lot which would be desirable.
 1 MIL. Rollwage asked if the question of running expenses had been discussed and what means had been suggested. He was informed that his question was partially settled by the ladies being | willing 10 take the responsibility of fur Dishing librarian, etc.
 After the formal business Mrs. 0. 5. Rollwage was called for. She made an earnest appeal for d library in For I rest City and showed how much 1t would go toward building up the town mentally, morally, and financially. She said:
 do not know that can say any | thing which will interest anyone, tor all of you are already aware that the greatest need or demand of Forrest City today is a public library and gym nasium. To have some pleasant place for the boys, young men, and people generally To visit at their leasure, where they could spend their time in pleas ant and profitable way being benefited physically, mentally and spiritually. should be the highest ambition of every citizen of our town, and we can not suggest ary place which could be made more attractive, more enjoyable, and more beneficial in every way than a public library and gymnasium.
 We frequently hear complaints about the boys reading detective stories. thus becoming familiarzed with crime Tn all its details, poisoning their minds and destroying the forces and powers with which they have been gifted by the Divine Creator to wisely direct and use m the development of a noble char acter.
 The reading of such books are edu- eating these boys in crime. fitting them only for lives of sorrow, remorse, shame and failure in the br0adest sense of 1 the word
 Why do the boys read this grade of literature? And what shall we do to prevent IL? It is not because they are evil minded or "bad' as some may think, for il is human nature to love the good and beautiful. All children show their love for the beautiful in their admiration for pretty toys, pretty books, pretty clothes and pictures, also m their delight to hear or have read to them interesting stories. So it is not d matter of preference with the boys. but simply because they are mentally hungeriDg and thirsting for something to read, and just as starving man eats the first food given him, however inferior it may be, the boys devour this trashy reading matter, having no good books in their possession. the reading of which would inspire them to live pure, truthful and honest lives.
 If there was d public library here. the boys could go there. and, finding books, papers and magiZines to read, suited to all ages from eight years up- ward, they would no longer care for reading detective stories.
 l Some may think it is the parent S duty, and not that of the public, to pro- vide their children with good reading i matter. amusements, etc and perhaps | 1t may fP, but since we know that in many homes there are very few. if any books, not always through indifference on the part of the parent, but often. times from lack of means with which to provide these luxnries, we should exert ourselves to place within the reach of these children, the purest and best literature and amusements.
 Also, to the people residing in the surrounding country. pnblic library would be very beneficial and a source of great comfort and joy; having come into town on business, finding it neces. say to spend some hours before re- turning home, would go to the reading room. where they would be shown by l the pleasant librarian, books or jour- nals suited to their tastes, and after | being highly entertained for an hour or more from reading something interest ing, return home with their minds filled with pleasant thoughts, no longer | feeling that the town people took no interest in them. They would readily see that we were their friends, desiring them 10 be successful, happy and pros porous in all their ways.
 We continually hear tirade of abuse made against the saloon and the eyll influences of liquor selling and drinking and 1 have no words of praise to utter in behalf of the saloon for l too. fully realize that it is a very l demoralizing agent and breeder of | the most heinous crimes in every com munly where it is found. But do say that opposing the saloons. abusing l it's proprieiors and sympathizing with the sufferers because of this unfnrtu. nate business will not banish 1t from the vicinity.
 There must be other places made more attractive: there must be some place for the boys and men to visit,