The Express.
London, England, 1867-07-04 00:00:00

WORKING NEB'S CLUBS IN THE METROPOLIS.

Two meetings have been recently held at the
office of the Working Men's Club and Institute Union,
150, Strand, for the purpose of consulting with some of
the leading men in the friendly and trades' societies of
the metropolis, as to the best means of promoting the
prosperity and usefulness of working men's clubs and in-
stitutes in London. On the first night the Rev. H. Holly
opened the proceedings by stating that be had found a large
amount of sympathy for the club movement among leading
men of the great working class societies, but partly owing to
their being so much engaged and partly to their ignoruce
of each other's feelings on the subject, they had hitherto
done but little to promote the succemof these clubs. Now it
was essential to that sumer that the clubs should receive
more general support from the great body of intelligent
operatives than bad yet been given them. But much
might be done for this purpose by bringing together men
who had the confidence of the rest, and uniting them in
some efficient organization. One reason often given why
working men did not support the clubs in larger numbers,
was that they were hampered with too many restrictions,
especially as to getting a glue of beer at them.
He (Mr. Folly) believed that many men did not so much
care about having beer at clubs, as that they objected to
its exclusion being forced upon them. Both the council
and himself had, however, greatly modified their views on
the question of its introduction into clubs, which, under
due regulations, and according to a great amount of evi-
dence, might tend to considerably diminish drinking. He
invited all who were present to give their views. Mr.
Howell, formerly secretary to the Bricklayers' Society,
considered that working men's clubs hail already done a
vast deal of good, but they were too formal. Working
men wanted to be free and easy after the day's
work. He had heard with great regret of the
closing of a club in a very populous London suburb,
caused mainly by the clergyman of the parish
having kept it " too tight." His class hated patronage.
The beer, however, was not everything. Gatti's refresh-
ment saloon was crowded every night, though no for-
mented liquors were sold there. He had found a capital
' club at Bradford, in Yorkshire, where the members were
very sociable and at their ease. When the present political
agitation was over and working men were more at liberty
there would be a great amount of interest shown by them
in the club movement. If a limited liability company were
formed and established, a good model club would be sure to
pay well. Mr. Guile, secretary of the Ironfounders'
Society, spoke of the great numbers of societies
to which the leading working men have now to
attend. These cost money as well as time, and
the wives sometimes, especially of young men, com-
plain, yet no doubt the club are very much wanted. One
difficulty is the jealousy felt by members belonging to ex
isting moieties of any new ones rising up. Public meetings
would help. In every way the subject must be agitated.
A most important matter was to get club-houses where
there would be a few beds for men coming up to London.
At present all the houses of call were at public-houses,
and they would never be able to make the
club the house of call for a trade so long as
the men had to go to " publics" to sleep. It would be of
the greatest value if young men, on first coining to Lon-
don, could day at a club instead of • public-house. Mr.
Sony observed that Mr. Allan, secretary of the Amalga-
mated Engineers, at • former meeting had urged this point,
but complained that government would not give their
societies legal protection for investing their funds in build-
ins, otherwise they would soon have their own clubs in-
stead of public-houses. Mr. Guile said that if the legisla-
, Lure would give their societies legal protection and require
a ;quarterly publication of their accounts it would be of
great benefit in every way to the whole community. Mr.
Cope, secretary of the Boot Closets' Society, con-
, eurred fetrongly as to the importance of pro-
viding a home for young men coming up from
the country, and thought that if a central club could pro.
vide a few beds till they got lodgings, it would be of great
value. Mr. Shaw, foreman locomotive engineers, London
and South-Western Railway, described the good effect of
moving their lodge in Leeds from a public-house, and de-
clared his belief that the clubs would be just the thing
that was wanted for all these trades and friendly societies.
Mr. Bebbington (porter), thought a limited liability com-
pany might be formed to establish such a central club as
had been proposed. Mr. Guile agreed in this view if beds
were provided-otherwise they never could get rid of the
public-houses as houses of call. Mr. Lee (excavator) thought
the movement wail of the greatest importance. He
objected to the introduction of beer into club ; but if
this would diminish drinking at public-houses he
would nut oppose it in clubs. The clubs would be a great
lever, and would raise working men. The Stockport Club
had flourished because the men managed it, and the gen-
tlemen came and mixed with them as friends and guests.
But the clubs must be free and easy. Mr. Paterson (cabinet
maker), said the working men were now in a state of transi-
tion. The club must be put on a broader basis. It would
be of great value if they could have a place where rooms
could be had for the head offices of friendly, trade,
co-operative, and building societies. The money now in
the saving banks might be made to bring 10 per cent.
instead of 2 per cent. But the working men must be
raised by degrees. It was especially important to get the
men who now drank at public-houses to come to the clubs.
Mr. Whateling (shoemaker) thought the suggestion
about the lodgings for men on the tramp particularly
usefuL He recommended sending deputations to the
different trades' societies. Mr. Solly then concluded the
proceedings by undertaking to bring the dews of the
friends present before the council, and by thanking them
for their attendance that evening. A similar meeting was
held on Friday with much the same results.