To THE EDITOR OF THE GALLOWAY GAZETTE.
Sir,- "Your Own Commissioner " in last week's issue having. written at considerable length on the Working Men's Club, awl from which he falls upon the Mechanics' Institute with which I am connected, and finds fault with me in the discharge of my duties. In defence of which I beg you will allow me space for the following remarks: -- He begins with a superfluous introduction, naming all the clubs perhaps his memory can recall; but at last arriving at the one intended, and in a way not to be mistaken, the Newton-Stewart Working Men's Club. All the inhabitants of Newton-Stewart are perfectly aware of the existence of this Club. But it scams to me, and from what I can learn, this Club is by no means in a prosperous condition, hence the necessity of a 'puff' from " Your Own Commissioner." He takes a leap from the Club to the Mechanics' Institute, where, according to his opinion, there is no comparison. If the members of the Mechanics' Institute don't enjoy the same comforts as those of the Working Men's Club they don't complain; and why should "Your Own Commissioner " complain. Nor yet has the President or any of the Committee taken me to task in respect to the neglect of any part of my duties, on the contrary, they are quite satisfied. Having treated the, Institute with apparently disrespect, he finds his way to the Post Office, and no doubt he will he an authority, as he says the young men and maidens choose that place for their trysting tree. I am not likely to believe such a thing, as I well remember, long before any one had any idea of the Post-Office being there, a very successful branch of business, being, carried on in the premises behind the Post-Office, the tradesmen waiting the hour to begin work in front of where the letter-box now is, and since has never ceased to be the place for idle people to congregate. Again your Commissioner returns to the club, and having made sure of being at the right place, apparently, while waiting to gain admittance, begins to polish the old brass knocker that used to be on the door when Dr Moore lived there more than 16 years ago. Of course the place is everything, and therefore cannot be disputed according to his one-sided view. In the reading-room he gives a full detail of every newspaper and periodical, and, if I am not mistaken, every volume contained in the library. Mr Editor, I am afraid I am occupying too much of your valuable space. I shall not deal with card playing or bagatelle at a penny a game, I shall leave it to your readers to form their own opinion. As for the refreshment room, I am at a loss to know the necessity of having a soup kitchen in this town seeing that everything can be had so remarkably cheap. Your readers are aware that Mr and Mrs Stopferd Blair of Penninghame are the promoters of the Club, and that they intend it to be a henetit to the working class, but I must say I don't like theprinciple, neither has the members of the club the power to elect the Committee; that lies with Mr Stopford Blair. The members of the Mechanics' Institute know what is done with the surplus money. What becomes of thc surplus money of the Working Men's Club, if any? Mr Editor, I cannot close without endeavouring to give a somewhat more accurate description of the Mechanics' Institute than that given by your Own Commissioner, and endeavouring to do so, he will perhaps learn something he did not know. 'First of all, the members of the Mechanics' Institute are indebted to the Earl of Galloway for the use of the room gratis. It has been a privilege they have enjoyed for the last 22 years. That the institute is self-supporting, the subscription is not 4s, as is charged at the Working-men's; Club, but 2s. 6d. a year with 1s. of entry money for new members, and never was more. Your Commissioner acknowledges that the library is fairly good, that certainly cannot be a puff. The second year of the Institute's exisitence the committee were able to purchase £50 worth of books. They have since purchased from time to time, together with the value of the amount expanded from the Ferguson Bequest, till now, there are something like 1,200 volumns. The committee has also received presents of books for the library, one or two I might mention: Ten new and beautifully bound volumes of "Chamber's Encyclopedia" from John Snowdon Henry, Esq., MP., when residing at Kirroughtree; a volume on "The Southern States since the war 1870-71 " by the author, Mr Robert Somers, formerly one of our townsmen; Mr Maclaurin never forgot to send "Blackwood's Magazine" monthly, and these when bound will he an excellent addition to the library.

Through the munificence of the Earl of Galloway the room has been recently papered and painted, giving it a clean and comfortable appearance. On the walls hang six very neat pictures. One at the top end of the room is a beautiful steel engraving of the late Earl of Galloway, presented to the Institute by Henry Stuart, Esq.. factor to the Marquis of Bale. Another is worthy of being mentioned, a steel engraving of the late James Stewart. Esq. of Cammrae from J. Snowdon Henry, Esq., M.P. Tho furniture belonging to the room consists of tables, chairs, and forms sufficient to accommodate 100 people easily. There is also a harmonium. The newspapers, daily and weekly, are well selected, embracing all shades of politics. The Institute is patronised by the clergymen of the town, and some of the leading gentlemen and merchants, and the respectahle working class. The list of members can be seen at any time in the room. The affairs of the Institute are managed by a Committee who are elected by the members annually. One word to your own Commissioner, should he again attempt in writing in favour of the Working Men's Club, to keep to the subject, and by all means let the Mechanics' Institute alone.-I am, &c.,

THE ROOMKEEPER AND LIBRARIAN
OF THE MECHANICS' INSTITUTE.