The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-07-24 00:00:00

TEE FROTTRBRIDGE OBSERVER

WORKING MEN'S CLUB and INSTITUTE

UNION.
The thirteenth annual meeting of the members of
this union was held in London, on Saturday, at the
Society of Arts, under the presidency of Lord Rose-
b ory.
Mr. Hodgson Pratt, the vice chairman, announced
that letters expressive of sympathy with the union had
been received from members of both houses of parlia-
ment, and other gentlemen. The report stated the
work done by the society in the year 1874-75, during
which period 55 new clubs were affiliated, making a
total of 312 in union with the society. The
total number of clubs and institutes known to the
society, whether in union or not, was 644, estimated
to csmprise 103,040 members. The union had issued,
on loan, nearly 4,530 volumes during the year to clubs
having 24,000 members. Grants of books and
other publications were made to several insti-
tutions. Members of the council had attended
about fifty public meetings, held for the esta-
blishment of new clubs, and made 40 visits to established
clubs for conference with committees. Their visits
extended as far north as Carlisle and as far west as
Swansea. Lectures were delivered -and classes formed
in several instances through the agency of the council.
About 5,000 letters had been received during the year
asking for advice, which, in reply to questions of a
legal character, was afforded by the society's solicitor;
and on the erection and alteration of club peemises by
the society's honorary architect. For the benefit of
the metropolitan clubs and institutes (71 in number),
visits were organised to public museums, buildings,
and exhibitions, when information on their contents
was afforded by men of distinguished attainments.
Trophies and prizes were awarded by the union
for skill in chess, in cricket, and athletic sports, as
well as for essays. A scheme had been carried out,
under which all members of clubs were invited to
become "associates of the union," with the privilege
of honorary membership of the various affiliated clubs
throughout the kingdom. A weekly organ of the
society called, "The Workmen's Club Journal," had
been established as a more effectual means of corn-
munication between the society and the clubs, and as
a means of affording information of value to those
institutions. In conclusion the council appealed for
aid in carrying on this work, inasmuch as, if better
supported by the public, it would be enabled te hasten
the progress of this great social reform. By extending
and strengthening these clubs, intemperance would be
surely and steadily overcome, the taste for true and
elevating recreation would be created, the desire for
reading and self-education would grow, and habits of
thrift and providence be fostered.
The chairman addressed the meeting in an exceed-
ingly able and well-digested speech, in the course of
which he alluded to the satisfactory progress of the
movement, its importance, and the beneficial effects it
was likely to exercise on the working classes. At the
present day they heard of many means of improving
the condition of the working classes, some empirical
and some altogether impracticable. Working men
must be raised by their owns endeavours, and they
must not be fostered, or petted, or patronised (hear,
hear, and cheers). The working men must raise
themselves, must respect themselves, and must
maintain their independence. He believed that
there were four essentials for every working
man's club. First, it should be free in its
tendencies, and all vexatious and infantine restrictions
should be removed as to drink and other matters,
which made some clubs more like nurseries than
places of intellectual resort. Secondly, they must be
self supporting; thirdly, they must be free from all
religious or political bias; and fourthly, they should
have some high object in view. In the latter case,
however, they must not aim too high, they must
adapt their objects to the class they were intended
for. In conclusion, his lordship alluded to the benefits
which might arise from the clubs forming centres
of thought, whence the views of the most enlightened
working men might be ascertained on political and
social questions. Many persons would no doubt more
readily subscribe their thousands to some stately insti-
tution or some romantic memorial (hear, hear) than to
promoting such a work as that undertaken by this
union, although in his opinion the results likely to
accrue in this latter instance would be immeasurably
more important and calculated to effect important re.
suits on our nation well-being. (Cheers.)
It was then moved by Earl Fortescue, and seconded
by Sir H. Cole, and unanimously resolved, "That
there are few social reforms of greater importance to
this country than the substitution of clubs and institutes
for public houses as places of resort for the recreation
and business of the working classes."
Lord Frederick Cavendish, M.P., moved, "That
workmen's clubs and institutes are calculated not only
to diminish excess in the use of intoxicating liquors,
but also to promote self-culture and the growth of a
healthy public spirit among the mass of the people."

Su- Harcourt Johnstone, M. P., seconded the resolu-
tion, and it was supported by Mr. Macdonald, M.P.
After speeches from Mr. Praed, M. P., and others,
the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to
the chairman.