The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1863-11-24 00:00:00

Vampobire.

ANDCVER ELECTION.

..

BRIDGWATER WORKING MEN'S CLUB.

The rooms of the above club were formally opened
on Tuesday evening by a public meeting. The
chair was taken by the worshipful the mayor (T.
Browne, Fay.), and we noticed besides on the plat-
form the Rev. Mr. Holland, Rev. Mr. Jones, Rev.
Mr. MUM* the Town Clerk, Dr. King, Messrs. J.
B. Sully, T. W. Sully, F. J. Thompson, F. Whitby,
&o. The body of the room was crammed to
excess, whilst, we might almost ssy, hundreds were
unable to obtain admission.

The MAYOR having opened the proceedings by
stating the object and vain, of such societies, intro.
&toed the Rev. Mr. Holland, who urged the necessity
and importanoe of social and friendly intercourse,
and felt that in the present instance they were doing
precisely what they ought to. Amusement, too, was
eessatislly neoessiry, but man was at times almost
compelled to join in recreation which was repulsive
—or rather demoralising—to his character. The
only place open to the working man—where be could
seek society and friendly intercourse, where he could
sit in the evening and converse on politiai, or the

news of the day, or where he could join in friendly
song, was at what they ca/led a public-house. And
people paid for sitting there by drinking too great
quantitica of into:lc-ding liquor& It was Heciesery
for the man to overdru.{ himself with drink in
order to pay the landlord for the room. He expected
those who enjoyed themselves there Intake aquantity
of liquor, and ,they felt in honour bound to do so.
The quiet half-pint taken with dinner, which many
of them would uphold as a good and wholesome
beverage—(hear, hear)—to strengthen their mental
and physie.al powers —(cheers)—was harmless; but it
was a positive poison when taken as a beverage in
large quantities. Ile then adverted to a Loudon
Working Men's Club, which had been effected
by the men themselves. They took, he said, an
empty house, and the carpenters fitted up benches,
and those engaged in other capacities also assisted,
and they completed the rooms themselves by the
work of their own bands. (Cheers.) They had pro-
vided various kinds of amusements. They did not
allow intoxicating drinks to be introduced into their
rooms, but coffee and the like. The club grew up
until it became public, so that all workmen could
enjoy the same privileges as they did on the payment
of 2d, per week. (Cheers.) Now the working
man had felt the necessity of having some room to
meet in for cheerful intercourse and innocent
amusements, without paying the tax on health
and good manners, which they did by visiting the
public-house. The Working Men's Club in Bridg.
water had sprung up as an opponent to the public.
house, and the publicans undoubtedly would not like
them in consequence. The objects of the society,
he might say, had originated entirely by the
working men of this town. He then pro- 1
ceeded to show in what manner it was so, and
how two little meetings had caused such a
gathering as they luid that evening. A very good
committee had been selected, and they had effected
the present arrangements. The room they had met
in spoke for theowner of spoke of the liberality
in which he had met the working man, and those
who held it would owe him deep gratitude. (Cheers)
Speaking of the amusements proposed to be provided,
one thing, he greatly regretted, that there was no
skittle-alley. (Hear, hear.) Skittle-alleys were
the source of a great deal of pleasure—and he con-
sidered there was no harm in it if it did not lead to
bad consequences (Cheers.) The game strengthened
the body, and developed the muscles and organs of
the chest. (Hear, hear.) He also alluded to other
games, such as draughts and chess. In the room in
which they were assembled such games as those
would be provided, in addition to it being supplied
with the various newspapers and periodicals. 'There
will also a room above, which was to be the sinecure
of the society. Three young men were to be allowed
to go and sing their songs, and play their fiddles—
(laughter) —just as if they were in a public-house,
but with this important exception, they were not
called upon to pay the "tax." (Cheers) Now there
were a great many persons present that evening who
were not yet in the society, and let him urge them
to strengthen its hands. The society, at the present
time, did not number enough to make it
prosperous. Unless they got 100 to join they
would not be able to make it sufficiently attractive;
but if they got that number, then they would be
always able to spend a pleasant evening. (Cheers.)
And they must certainly not forget the young men.
(Hear, hear.) For after all they were the important
class. He thought the meeting that evening spoke
volumes for the working men of Bridgwater.
(Cheers.) It showed they were willing to arrange
their evening destinies. (Renewed cheering.) He
hoped that it was the commencement of a long and
successful life to the society, and that many happy
evenings would be spent in that room, and the one
above. (Loud cheenng.) The room he alluded to
would also be a smoking-room. (Applause.) He felt
that he had occupied their time a great deal longer
than he ought, and he could only add his hearty
wish that they would work together in the strength
of co-operation. (Cheers.)
The Cuaiituvi stated that the first proposition
was a very gratifying one, and one which was nem'.
nary far the maintenance of friendly feeling and
good order. He should call upon Mr. Tilley, the
secretary, to read the rules of the society.
Mr. Tiu.sv said that about eleven weeks ago agen-
tleman (room London paid them a visit at Bridgwater,
and he, being at the Market-house, considered the
proposition one which would meat with the appro-
bation of the working classes of this town. (Hear,
hear.)

,
The rules were then read, and met with general
approval, not one objection being made.
A letter was read from H. Westropp, Esq., In
which were the words—" I beg to enclose a cheque
for £5 towards the Working lien's Club, and wish
you every mimeo in the undertaking." (Applause.)
There was also a letter read from A. W. Kinglike,
Esq., in which that gentleman stated that he
should be happy to contribute towards the society.
(A voice: " Where's the letter from Colonel Tynte n
Mr. FRAINK TuoursoN, having been introduced
by the Mayor as the treasurer of the club, in the
course of his remarks adverted to the fact that the
society had nothing to do whatever with teetotalism.
With regard to funds he thought it would be advis-
able to admit honorary members on the payment of
one guinea alear.
" "

The CHAIRIYLEN thought a meeting of the members
of the society should be called, and after that
another public meeting should be convened. lie
oonsidered that, by so doing, it would give them
a little experience in the working of the club.
Perhaps his friend Mr. Caralake could give them a
little advice on the matter. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. C•HSLAKS said such was his duty, and he
would try to do so without fee or reward. (Cheers
and laughter.) He would refer to what had been
said about the society being connected with
teetotalism. lie was not • teetotaler, and he had
not thought fit to join them. (Hear, bear.) They
most try to put the society upon as broad • basis
as possible, and keep it apart from teetotalism.
(Hear, hear.) As long as the members were in the
room they would be strict abstainers—they could
go next door: (Laughter). He considered it perfectly
right that such should be the case. He believed the
club was to do a great deal of good. (Cheers).
Leaving aside the public-house, there was no place
I where a man could spend a sociable evening; but
now that difficulty would be solved, and he could
tell them that where this movement had been taken
up it had been found to answer exceedingly well.
(Cheers) He hoped they would have the club
self-supporting. He should be pleased to contribute
his mite; but he thought men appreciated more what
was kept up by themselves than anything given
them by • friend.
The Rev. Mr. JONES then delivered • very appro.
priate Teech, and was followed by Mr. J. W. &mix.
Mr. THOMPSON said he wished to inform them
that on next Monday they would open their rooms
at seven o'clock, and they hoped to get as many new
members as possible. Any night next week they
would be pleased to enrol members between the
hours of 'even and ten. After that time they would
open at five. (Cheers.)
Dr. Kim; congratulated the members of their club
upon their present suooewa He considered that it
would not be • bad policy to let out the room at
times to other bodies. He proposed that honorary
members be admitted to the society on the payment
of 10a. 6d., as their half-year's subscription.
Mr. C•IUSLAKE seconded the resolution.

The names of the following gentlemen were then
taken down u honorary members :—Ths Mayor,
ls. (two subscriptions); Dr. King, 10s. 6(1.;
Mr. Thompson, 10s. 6(1.; Mr. 8. B. Sully, 10s. 6cl. ;
Rev. Mr. Holland, 10s. 6(1.; Rev. Mr. Jones,
In.. ; Rev. Mr. Moans, 10e. 6(1.; Mr. Whitby,
10s. ; Mr. W. Thurman, 10a. 6d.; Mr. D.
Phillips, 10s. 6d.; Mr. T. W. Sully, 10s. 6(1.; the
Town Clerk, 10s. 6d._ . . . .

Dr. Kixo.suggested that the members should look
at home, and see if they had not a few volumes to
spare to help stock the library. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. JILMES Scum said he had been asked to speak,
and he could tell them one thing, they had had a good
house-warming that night. (Laughter.) He ex.
pressed his disapproval of 'Mr. Westropp.s being
applied to, and did not sewn to like the idea of
courting favour from political gentlemen.
A vote of thanks warn accorded to the chairman.

Mr. Wrirrsr, in seconding the motion, expressed
his intention of giving to the society • draught-board
and set of chess-men. _

The MAYOR having said a few worda in reply, the
meeting terminated, everyone being anxious to got
outaide and obtain a "mouthful of fresh air."

Wiltshire.