The Express.
London, England, 1863-10-13 00:00:00

LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 18, 1863.

WORKING ]KEN'S CLUBS.

Five-and-thirty years must have passed since
Lord Brougham and other eminent labourers in the
cause of popular education helped to establish
mechanics' institutes in various parts of England.
The idea found favour for a time, and it seemed as
if a new and better era in the working man's life
were commencing. But the projectors aimed a
little too high, and assumed too confidently that the
operative class was capable of passing at once from
a state of neglected education to the severe studies
of philosophers and men of science. Something of
bard and forbidding utilitarianism, moreover, dis-
tinguished the " Useful Knowledge" movement of
those days ; and, though the efforts of the dis-
tinguished men who conducted it have undoubtedly
borne good fruit, the mechanics' institutes have in
the end proved a failure. Yet the need of some
species of hall or assembly room where working
men can meet for social intercourse fur recreation,
for the transaction of busiuess interesting to them-
selves as a class, and for mutual improvement, has
become every day more obvious. Lacking such
places, the artisan too often goes to the publio-
house, and acquires a habit of drinking, to which,
perhaps, he is not naturally inclined. The tavern is
the working man's club, and the landlord knows how
to turuothe fact to his own advantage and his cus-
trailers 10 jury.
Several attempts have recently been made to in-
augurate a better state of things, and we are happy
Ito find that they promise to be successfuL
Our readers must have noticed during the last
few days several reports of meetings for the promo-
-1 Lion of working men's clubs and institutes. The
idea is not new, for as far back is 1853 the Stormont
House Working Men's Association was started at
Notting•hill ; but the movement has received an
immense accession of vigour during the last few
months, mainly owing to the formation in London
of a central managing body, the objects of which
are to stimulate local effort, to offer suggestions for
the improvement of existing clubs and the forma-
tion or similar bodies all over the kingdom, to
assist in the actual work of formation to make
grants or loans of books, apparatus, diagrams, and
occasionally of money, and to guide infant clubs
till they have attained sufficient strength and
experience to guide themselves. The president of
this Union is Lord Brougham, and the list of vie,-
prtaidents includes many men of high position and
intellectual eminence. The association has been in
existence just a year, and it hasalready established 23
clubs in London and the provinces, whilst several
others are in course of formation under its auspices,
and about seventeen which were already in operation
have received advice or assistance. The manage-
ment of the clubs themselves varies in different
places, for it is especially desired by the Union that
the principle of local self-government should be
carried out with the utmost freedom ; but speaking
generally, the main design of all is convenience and
innocent recreation, eornbined with facilities for
education. To begin with, they are places where
tea, coffee, and other temperate refreshments may
be procured ; where the working man can get his
dinner cooked and eat it in decency and
comfort ; where a game at skittles, draughts,
dominoes, kc. , may be played without the degrad-
ing influences too often associated with them ;
where social intercourse and good fellowship may be
enjoyed for their own sakes, and not as incentives
to drink ; where music and recitations may be
listened to, and where dissuasion classes may be
opened if the members please. In addition to this,
they are places where libraries and reading rooms
may be formed, and education promoted in various
ways, without being in any respect thrust down the
members' threats, or forced upon them as a con-
dition of joining. "The very first step towards
forming a club or institute," says a circular bowed
by the Union, "would be to interest the working
men of the district in the undertaking, and to make
them feel that, when once started, its management
and success must depend mainly on themselves.
The next point in forming these societies would be
to procure suitable premises for the accommodation
of the members, containing rooms to be used for
conversation, refreshments, recreation, kc. ; and
' others for classes, reading, lectures, and music. A
library of entertaining and instructive books,
' scientific apparatus, diagrams, &e., a supply
of newspapers and some works of art should be
' aimed at. The services of efficient teachers, paid
' and unpaid, should be procured ; discussion
classes, to awaken thought and a desire for
knowledge, should be established ; readiugs from
' amusing and eloquent writers, interspersed with
music and recitations, should be given periodically;
and, generally, any similar measures adopted for
L effecting the objects in view. Women should have
the privilege, ou a small payment, of taking books
out of the library, and of admission to the lectures
and concerts of the club and institute ; also to
classes, hen efficient female superintendence
could bawprocured. Tne very valuable influence
of educated women has of late years shown itself
; in various schemes to improve the condition of
the labouring classes. A much wider field for
1 this influence may be afforded by societies such
' as those now advocated."

It will be seen from this that the plan of Working
Men's Clubs is much simpler than that of Mecha-
nics' Institutes, and therefore more likely
to be successfuL When an artisan of good intent-
genes, but of imperfect education, brings his
exhausting day's work to & conclusion, he requires
some place to go to where he can supply the wants
of nature, find warmth, light, and cheerful society,
and be enabled to procure some form of intellectual
entertainment which, while not too severely tasking
his mind, shall satisfy his craving for new ideas,
and at once pleasurably and innocently enlarge the
sphere of his thoughts. An ambitious attempt to
instruct him—a systematic forcing him into school,
seizing him by the button and cramming him with
literature and scieuce—ia pretty certain to daunt
his enthusiasm for something better than the pot-
house, and to drive him back to the ribald concert,
seasoned with ad libitum supplies of beer and
spirits. He wants above all things rest and
amusement, and may be thus insensibly led on to
a desire for information on many topics.

A diorama may be the first incitement to
the acquisition of geographical knowledge, and an
exhibition in which the electric light is introduced
may stimulate many a spectator to inquire for him-
self into the wonders of chemistry. In the mean-
while these clubs may serve many practical
purposes. They may ramify, and have indeed in
many instances already ramified, into Co-operative
Societies, Friendly or Benefit Clubs, Building
Societies, tko. The writer of " Hints and Sugges-
tions for the Formation and Management of
Working Men's Clubs and Institutes" (Bell and
Daldy), observes, that they might be turned to
excellent nee as places of register for workmen
seeking employment. This is now done at " the
house of call" for the trade, which is always a
public-house, and where the accommodation leads
to a great deal of unnecessary drinking. Friendly
Societies, also, are generally held at taverns ; and
Mr. Tidd Pratt, the registrar of those societies,
has pointed out, in a letter to the Rev. Henry S,
the able and energetic secretary to the Wmk-
ing Men's Club and Institute Union, the
immense evils that result from that practice. He
mentions the large sums of money spent in beer,
and asserts that "these charges, and others of •
similar character, very often amount to about five
shillings in the pound on the whole amount paid by
the members." In Mr. Pratt's report to the House
of Commons (1862), one of the causes of the fre-
quent failure of friendly societies is distinctly laid
at the door of the public-houses. " In the course
of last year," be says, "the registrar found that in
Herefordshire, since 1793, the number of societies
enrolled and :ratified was 136 ' • of this number 123
were held at publio-lionses, and 13 at schools or

[Stamped. ld. Additional.]

private rooms. Of those held at public-houses uo
leas than 42 had broken up, but of those held at
schools or private rooms only one had been dis-
solved." When spoken to on the subject, working
men say that they object to meeting iu a school-
room, because it is large and cold, and that no
private house can accommodate them. But, as Mr.
Tidd Pratt remarks, the establishment of working
men's clubs will give them a choice in the matter ;
and, happily, the choice has already been made in
the right direction, is more places than one—an
example which, it is to be hoped, will spread.
•

To the objection that such olubs are likely to
withdraw men from their homes, it is sufficient to
reply that, in the greater number of cases, they
simply withdraw them from the tavern, and that
they have often resulted in leading men back to
their homes. Mrs. Bayly, the authoress of
" Ragged Homes, and How to Mend Them," found
that this had actually been the case with the Work-
men's-hall, at the Kensington Potteries ; and Miss
Adeline Cooper, who established the club in Duck-
lane, Westminster, says she has been assured by
the wives of many of the members that the institu-
tion was a blessing to them (the women), as it kept
their husbands sober, and that its termination
would be a misfortune.

In general, the club-houses are divided into a
room for conversation, newspapers, ref reehmente,aud
games ; a library ; a smoking-room (though in some
ffieireed" isprohibited, which we think is a mistake);
rooms for classes, committee meetings, and general
business purposes ; and a hall for lectures, general
meetings, concerts, social entertainments, &c. Some
of those in the country have grounds attached,
where cricket is played in the summer. The pay-
ments required by different institutes vary from a
halfpenny a week to eight shillings per annum.
In some cases an admission fee of one shilling is
required on entering, and in others—though this
is an exception to the rule—the candidate is
regularly proposed and balloted for. For the
most part, a man becomes a member by
simply paying a small sum in advance. The officers
consist of a president, a treasurer, a secretary,
auditors, and committee. Members who are sick
or oat of employment are sometimes allowed the'
benefits of membership without paying subscrip-
tions The rooms are mostly kept open from
eight in the morning till ten at night, or in large
towns, till eleven. The admission of books and
periodicals is commonly subject to the approval of
the committee. Newspapers are sold, after the
first or second day, to the highest bidder. A book
is kept for the members to enter any special
remarks, recommendations of books, subjects for
discussion, dics. The property of the clubs is
sometimes vested in the town council of the city or
borough, sometimes in the board of guardians of the
district, sod sometimes in the hands of private
trustees. Some of these institutes have
a decidedly religions character, as for
instance the association at Notting-hill •
others again are professedly based on teetotal
principles • in a few as we have said, entire absti-
nence from tobacco is enforced • but ordinarily
they are quite nnsectarian in their constitution.
In the greater number of clubs, and in all connected
with the Union, strong drinks are forbidden on the
premises. The public are admitted at all times on
the payment of a few pence, and there is no restyle-
, tion as to dress.

"Two hundred men, paying 2d. per week, or
L. 6d. per quarter," says one of the Union circulars,
" can rent a comfortable house to meet in for con-
versation, business, study, or recreation, and can
r boos, pay
well supplied with newspapers, games, and
pay for • housekeeper, coals, gas, &c., and,
in many places, have a yard besides for skittles,
quoits, and gymnastic exercises. With a little
money-help from friends and neighbours, they can
buy gas-fittings, timber for making tables, benches,
and partitions, bricks and mortar (if needed here
and there), whits and colon wash, or paper-hang-
ings ; and they themselves can have the satisfaction
of giving, after their day's work, any labour required
in fitting-up, altering, or repairing the house,
so as to be no more dependent twin necessary
upon others. A good second-band piano and large
bagatelle-board may easily be purchased, with a
few extra contributions from friends, or a small
levy among themselves." Of course, a compara-
tively large expense is unavoidable at starting, but
this the neighbouring gentry are always found
ready to furnish, accompanied by a guarantee for
the first year or so. Afterwards, with good man-
agement, the clubs become self supporting, and
this is a consummation which they should always
aim at attaining. Unless in the end they pay their
own expenses they will become a species of charity,
and this degrades the working man in his own
esteem and that of others.

TAMWORTH ELECTION.

TAMWORTH, MONDAY Evnmeo.

The polling for this election took place to-day.
Tamworth bag been the acne of seine sharp fighting at coo-
tested election, and fearing that such would be the awe,
Colonel Hoge, the indefatigable chief constable of the
county, conveyed a force of about eighty members of the
Staffordshire constabulary to the town, and kept them in
reserve in the upper room of the Town ball ; but notwith•
'leading that the streets throughout the day rang with
party miss, no serious consequences resulted. The crowes
were not large. The booths wen two in number, the pelt.
cipal one being in the Town-hall. and the snood in Church.
street. The polling commenced at eight o'clock, and during
the early part of thcCday proceeded rapidly. The total
number of voters on the list is about 460. sad of thorns 391
exercised their franchise. The coign* was one of the
sharpest which has been known in Tamworth for many
yearn, as is shown by the large number of voters registered.
From the commencement the start was token by Mr. Ptah
who ultimately woe by 57 rotes.
The state of the poll at nine o'clock--en hone after the
polling commenced—wag : Peel, 42 ; Cowper, Al. At ten
o'clock it was : Peel, 91; Cowper, 66. At eleven o'clock :
Peel, 143 ; Omer, 94. The majority, notwithstanding the
utmost 'radices of Mr. Coarpar's friends, was steadily kept
up. At ono o'clock it was : Peel, 208 ; Cowper, 145. At
two o'clock : Peel, 214 ; Cowper, 156 ; and at four o'clock,
when the poll closed, the final numbers were : Peel, 224
Cowper, 167 ; with a majority of 57 in favour of the hest
candidate.

The "scenes at the polling" were neither numsrens nor
exciting. The greatest diversioo was created by Sir Robert
Peel, who paid a visit to the booth at the Town-hall about en
hour after the polling commenced, and, after s sharpalterce-
Sims, knocked at least use man down. One of these persons
thus osmulted—Mr. Isaac Bradbury—retorted the blow by
striking the Chief Secretary for Intend a sharp rap am*
the shoulders with a walking stick which be held in his
hands. The right boo. baronet returned to Drayton Manor
shortly lifter noon.
The candidate. attended at the polling booths during the
day, and were warmly cheered by their supporters. At
the ooncloaioo of the poll the Mayor (Mr. Newbold)
amended ,a temporary platform under the Town-hall, and
declared the election to hare gone in farour of Mr. John
Peel, who had a majority of AT.
The announcement was received with loud cheers. Mr.
Peel afterward. addremed a large crowd from his committee-
room window at the Tamworth Anne ; after which he was
drawn toned the town by a. excited crowd, the hams
being removed from his carriage.
001M1 addressed a trine crowd from a window of
the Peel Anne, thanking them for the support which bad
been given to him during the moues.
Sir ROUST Pm afterward. addressed a meeting of Kr.
Cowper's supporters in has committee room, sod after deny-
ing spin. moat emplaticelly, the chap which bad been
made ivied him of baring intimidated voters. complained
that undue influence bad been used on the other side, in
consequence of which many voters who bad ;strained their
suffrage. to Mr. Cowper had at the lost moment turned
round and iced foe his opponent. He bad no doubt that
at a futon time Mr. Cowper would be miconsfth The
week was received with loud cheers.

',TWOPENCE

SOCIAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION.

EDINBUB.OH. OCT. 12.
At the services of a number of the ohurch4a in
the town yesterday reference was made by the officiating
clergymen to the proceedings of the association end to the
OODD•iiOD existing between its objects sod the moral and
religions elevation of the people. This morning an address
was delivered by Sir J no. H 'Neill, which chiefly had refer-
ence to the state of the popuLatioe of Scotland.
EDINBURGH, MONDAY NIGHT.
The proceedings Is the Publics Health Department to-day
were looked forward to with considerable interest, but were
somewhat interfered with by unforeseen circumstances.
Professor Christiana wee to have delivered the opening ad-
dress, but in coosequeoce of a sudden indisposition wes un-
able to do so. The address was accordingly postponed till
to-morrow. Sir John supplied the blank caused by
the absence of Professor Chrirttson by reading hie
paper on Social Ermonmy, which was well received.
At the conclusion of the reading of Sir Jobn ll•Ned'e
address, Lord Brougham, who presided, proposed a vote
of things in a few words, apologising for the brevity of his
remarks by stating that he bad just received news of the
death of an old and valued friend (Lord Lyndhurst). His
lordship appeared greatly affected.
The most important papers read to-day were in the
Punishment and Reformation Department and in the Social
Economy Department. Discussions on the papers were
ably sustained, especially on the question of the reforma-
tion of the convict system. The state of international law
also received much attention in the Sixth Department, and
the papers on the subject were succeeded by an interesting
dekate.

MY. WARMER'S SIXTEKNTH BALLOON
ASCENT FOE SCIENTIFIC PIIRPOSES, OCT. 9.