The sun., 1873-07-08
THE BOYS ORGANIZATION.
A SIGNAL VTCTORY ron THOSE VINO
work. ron A LIVING.
The Park Commissioners Already Preparing
Hall Grounds Now for Free Baths which

The Park Commissioners Already Preparing
Hall Grounds Now for Free Baths which
the Working boys May Use.
At half past 7 Inst evening the entrance
to Cooper Institute began to he thronged by
boys ranging In age from II to 20 years. They
congreeatcd on tho threshold in small groups,
and seemed to be discussing some important
problem among Themselves. The majority looked
like sinpularly Intelligent boys, and all were
neatly, but not extensively, dressed Some wore
badges OF bluc ribbons and others were deckcd
In many oolored rosettcs, which proclaimed them
officers Of high rank among .heir companions.
On the bulletin board without was a written
notice which explained the unwontcd gathering
OF the youthful clans. The notice read, "'Thc
Working Boys Protective Association will hold
a meeting for organization in room No. "A, Cooper
Institute, this evening at 8 o'clock" This no
tcc, which was conspcuously posted, attracted
the attention of the passing youngsters and
soon many scores Of strangers were added to
the large gathering Within the vcstbule.
Room - Ia class room, which was generously
given to the boys by Peter Cooper, through tho
trustees OF the Institute. II II capable Of seat
ing about three hundred persons, and at Ave
minutes to eight every scat was taken. The
boys were arranged in semi-Circlc around tho
platform, on which were n table and seats for
the President and officers. The boys still kept
coming, and soon every inch Of space was
crowded. Tho two large Windows III thc west
side were converted into seats and occupied by
IA dozen youthful petitioners, and the al lc' and
spaces between the seats were nlled 10y eager
boys standing.
rt.NtS coNWoS srNsu.
Al O'Clock preci-ely the President, Master y.
j. Joyce, took his scat ON the platform. lie Is
bright, intelligent boy, with eyes which fairly
spurkle with enthusiasm. To mia left sat Master
Charles Bciliucr, the vire-Prcsdcnt, aud he
wa. udukCd ON the right by Master John III. Fin
ncgan, the Secretary. by this time tne enth1-
slusm Of the boys had begun u display itself in
clapping and stamping The President rnpued
for order with all the dignity ~ judge, and IN
AN instant the boiling enthusiasm ot the 900
working boys was restrained. They listened
quietly 10 the reading Of the minutes II the
lat needing IN the CITY Hall Park, aud then
adopted tue SecrctarNs report In a dignihed,
business Ike manner.
Master Joyce then arose and spoke for about
ten minutes. His speech came from the lips Il
a boy and was addressed tu boys hut II was fun
of good common sense, and might well have
been delivered from an older brain lie said
that the working boys Of New York proposed To-
form an or. Anzation to gain certain advantages.
These advantages were urst protection In their
rights as PROSPECTIVE citizens OF the Republic
second, the institution ol labor bureau, 10y
which members could gain work third, the
promotion of social harmony among the mcu-
b"ts aud fourth, the inspiring Of that confidence
! In tueir power ~ 4 body winch the knuwl'dre
! of their united strength could not fail To- give.
| he said. We shall not be afraid TO assert our
rights, and We viii not bc wrunerd.'
The President said that the boys had already
! laid strong foundation for their association.
/ Their motto Is
"IiBTRrY UNITY, AND PERSEVERANCE,"
Their liberty from the hardships under which
/ tho working boys nave been groaniug tan onv
/ be obtained 10y unity ana pcrscvt rance In the
combined effect II which all success lies. Tie
! Park Commissioners are now liking "a ulace Ia
/ the parks T the working bows To- play ball In
/ That Is one victory gained. " | call ON all OF YOU
] e. Join this association. Remember that tu
unity there Is strength. Let Us show the men
] OF Nrw York that We are sensible BOYS that We
can form an association md govern it a, vel
! "a they do their own. let IA show them that
| We know what We are about and that We mean
. To- nave what We want
/ At this point the enthusiasm OF the iO0 boys
I hur-t all Limits. and taty stamped and ClappVd
/ furiously IN applause. lhe noise wa PROMPTLY
checked 10y the resident, who said that thcto
! must Le thorough order In the meeting. lie
/ then PASSED 10 the next grand battle To be
| fought. lie said there were but two free baths
Ia New York. and thCse were monopulizod by
I tnf idlcrs II the City and the school BOYS. Wien
| the working bows had ended their duties ai siX
o'clock. they always found n long string Of these
7 boys ahead If thcm-boys VINO do not need
bathing so much as they The working boys
demand more free baths. They want at least
fodr new ones, two In each river, which viii
make six In all. Ihe city OF Buston. with not
half the POPULATION Of New YORK, has II free
baths. Master joyce thought II not unreason-
able FOR the New YORK boys to demand Fix. IL
uu'tin, now, a strength vii bc gained that viii
carry th'm on to victory next year We can
nave thtui. ne san, III We demand them, ami
f"fcs fS n.y. 0Fi"''I' no" to s'' the demand
William Cook, another bright faced boy. said
that he saw In 1hE SuN two weeks ago an arti'
Gle headed
TRIUMPH or THE woRKtNG BOYS"
III, did not pause to read the, article; but ir
J tn" Hush Of his enthusiast m rushed 10 the itrA
and be- ala to play uaii. That nignt he passed il
the Fifth street pouCe station, and "a part Vt tht
next morning IN Essex Market. Then his en-
thus.a~m having cooled somewhat, he read th'
article. and found that the Commissioners hat
only promised & glye the boys place IN tl'
Park. lie simply told the story TO show that h'
hat suffered IA the good cause. lie believed
that the TWO evils which have long distfe-se'
ization. They would gain a play ground ant
have more free baths. Now he said 1--WE g'
to the docks. and instead of getting free bath
We Let free clubbing
AT this point 1t was announced that the Sec
retarys book was open for members names
The Initiation fee was set at TWENTY-FIVE cents
and the weekly dues at ten cents. he boy
crowded around the desk and began To sisI
their names. In a short time seventy name
had been enrolled, and the list would hav
swelled much larger had all the boys been pro
yded with the requisite funds.
FRUIT or THE UNION.
While the signatures were being received
party Of roughs, who It would seem had com
10 make trouble, indulged In whlstling, catcail'
| and wrestling. They were called to order sew
eri times by the President, who begged then
| not To- disgrace great movement 10y unseeul
threatened to have them eJectcd by the po lc,
4 and tais threat frightened them So THAI the
. ! Meht from lHr nan IN b"dy' Ait'f tula tA "a
{ the meeting WAS quiet and ORDERLY, and the bu-
= ness proceeded As though no interruption Aa
! occurred.
/, Nll,e the roll was being -iened Master Rel
4 liner announced that a gentleman had alread
y recognized the value Of their association, an
! sent "a te,ui-ltiun for "A boy IN his shup. An
4 ! member out Of Cmpluymcnt might apply at Ga
, ! clu,e ul the meeting, aud he would receive IA
u recommendation ~ the association, lhi- az
A nouuccment Of the urst public recognition ,
q thei. W III was received by the boys with lou
/, APP luu-e.
> 'AIlrr -une furt rr remarks by Masters Finn,
u gan, Ialcr, EcllluCr, and Muuday the mtctiu
was adjourned un IL next Monday night. ~
, place uI meeting Will be annOunC ed in the new,
q papers.