New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-06

Although the reading room OF the Brooklyn Il
brary IN Montague-st. has been free 10 the pubic
since 81 became part q the Brooklyn Public
Library. July J. that fact has become so little
known that the newspaper, magazine and reference
rooms have Few more patrons than formerly.
There are some new faces 10 be found there. hut
they have been counterhclanced by the old patrons
who have disappeared since the rooms became free
There used 10 be certain coterie. old guard
81 were who could be found IN the newspaper
room morning noon and night. For the most part
this group was made mp OF old men. every one a
distinctive character. who apparently had other
place 40 spend their time. Some OF them even went
80 Tar as 10 eat their luncheon behind a newspaper
fn the corner. Generally the members OF this group
read ali the papers from first page 20 ast-incuding
the advertisements-but each one had bis own par
ticuar favorite and there used 70 be some lively
tins every and then for possession of popular
paper. Although 10 all appearances many OF these
men were In such circumstances that would render
relief from the old - subscription a boon. many OF
them have deserted the rooms altogether since they
became free. Faces that had been seen every open
day Tor many years missing.
An explanation is suggested In the fact that the
''old guard" had come TO the conclusion that the
room belonged 70 them and resented the intrusion
- strangers. Although. matter 81 fact. the
edns ro5ms ~ne S fa b s r bs Of b the
an excellent class. the attendants are trembling TO
meut discovers tho cornforta hle armchairs where
they may steal quiet snooze when the attendants
not looking u s feared that during tho winter
months tho wei heated rooms win attract the va
a warm place 10 rest his weary bones 80 '''
Under the management Of the Brooklyn Library
the new sI2per and periodical rooms have been weH
prov ided with the various publications and il Is 10
respect now Tho rcferen-e library which IS
strong in some directions. s'iA leaves much to be
desired and IL is welcome news that this depart-
rnent Is 70 receive particular attention IT is
nonnoea mar u VIII be quit ~ 40 a point that will
make y worthy Of a community the size of Brook
the public last Tuesday after having zen rein
=
prodigious ASK and the OLD library stan. most OF
whom have been retained. deserve much credit FOR
accompishing it on time Ia the one week that il
much more eNicfsiycly paironized than the read
ten ~ gerittinp the pafrons OF he library 10 20
into the shelves and 70 through the books them
known there have been no abuses Of the privilege
yet Tic new book section Seams 10 be entirely
order OF things IS vastly inferior 10 the od.
Poli'o MAGISTRATES have uuexcelled opportunities
Tor Tire study ~ human nature. and If they have
saving sense ~ humor their rather arduous
duties may become really enjoyable. Here is an
actual occurrence iu The Adarns-st. court that
Frightened Up for the maj istrate With app-e-
citation ~ humor what otherwise would have been
3 tedious ana trying day. There had been row
IN ~ coiored quarter and n policeman arraigned
several dusky prisoners. ono 30 them. named
Jones. was called TO the bar the case had
been stated hy the guardian e.. law.
Jones. said the magistrate were YOU cut IN
the fracas?"
The thick Tipped son 81 Africa looked puzzled for
minute and then replied: We'll. no not exactly
boss j just about half way between the
fracas and the stomach"
Another magistrate who is known for his s,,c-
cess o. leading prisoners into making damaging
Admissions. was questiorJng alleged burglar.
g'he patrolnan who made the COMPLAINT declared
that he caught the prisoner as ne was climbing
out from a store through transom The sup
posed burglar Indignantly denied the allegation
The officer then repeated his assertions and said
that he knew 81 Just u O'Clock when the
prisoner Crawled out. because a neghboring clock
wns striking the time. He repeated IL several
times that the prisoner had crawled Just al
midnight and the prisoner much worked M
when the magistrate turned and asked him ii
what the policeman had said
Mo- shouted the prisoner. That mans a liar
and YOU can't believe q word he saws When ha
came 40 and arrested j standing on the
Sidewalk and he doesn't know what time Il was
when I era wled out
The magistrate smiled quietly and said he thought
that would be sufficient, and hello the for the
grand fury