Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-05-11
The Augusta Reform Club.

At the public meeting Of the Club, held at Gran
lite Hall last Sunday afternoon, Mr.. c. H. Randall
of the Executive Committee, made an interesting
report of the progress and condition of the organ
zation in which our people are profoundly inter
ested. The report shows how firm a hold the club
has in the affections of the people, and how great
a work it has accomplished even during the few
weeks of its existence. The statistics given Of the
money that has been diverted from the pockets of
the rumsellers are really startling. We publish
the report entire:
The Augusta Reform Club was organized on the
10Th of February last, and is consequently in the
twelfth week of its existence. During which time
about 1900 signatures, including many of our best
citizens, have been obtained for the general pledge,
and nearly so on the iron-c lad or about onefifh
of the entire population of Augusta upon both
according to the last U. S. Census Report.
They have holden eleven Sunday meetings, with
an average attendance OF upwards of 1000 people.
Have holden seventeen business meetings. with an
average attendance of $50 members. President
RACERS has filed the chair at every Sunday meet
ing with one exception, and at every business
meeting with two exceptions; and BY his able
manage ment and untring devotion to the cause, is
fully deserving of all the confidence which he re-
ccives, both from the Club and the community at
large. The same faithful discharge of duty which
has marked the Presidents administration of af-
fairs may be justly conceded to the other officers
of the Club, although their duties may not have
been 80 arduous.
There have been more than one hundred speech.
es made at our Sunday meetings, all of which have
been by the members, with perhaps half dozen
exceptions.
The Club have given one reception, at which the
TIallowell and Gardiner Clubs, with the l.. c. U.
of both cities were we'll represented. Have visited
the Hallowell brethren, and in conjunction with
the Fairfield boys have started good work of re-
form at Waterviile. which bids fair to take a
spicuous position in the field.
Have sent delegations to two conventions from
which good reports have been returned regarding
the progress of the work in other portions of the
State. We have found that our interests have
been promoted by social interchange with neigh
boring clubs. and it is to be hoped that it will be
repeated as frequently as practicable.
A few of our boys have fallen, under strong
temptations by the wayside, but are returning with
deep contrition to the open arms Of the Lodge.
We have established debating society, holding
meetings at the Reading Room, Thursday even
ings weekly, which all members and friends of the
order are cordially invited to attend. The men,
bers are well united and firm in the principles un-
der which they were inaugurated, and are drawing
to the close of the first quarter with more crafty
ing results than could have been expected in the
outset
Our Reading Room has been fitted up in most
generous manner for the comfort and convenience
of the boys, through the fundamentally of the
Ladies Christian Temperance Union, and by the
liberal haLd OF the puDllci ana every reformed
man should feel that he owes personally to them
debt of gratitude which he can only approximate
in paying by eternal fidelity to the cause.
The clergy have done everything in their power
for the advancement of the cause, which should
| insure for them our kindest regards and deepest
gratitude.
We feel that our report would be incomplete
without briefly referring to the bold manner in
| which our Daily Journal has at all times come to
our support, and opened its columns for our noti-
ces without ever receiving single penny in re.
Enumeration. And to all our friends. who by their
influence have in any way contributed to the gen
ersl welfare of the cause, we would send greeting
| Of grateful remembrance.
Ii we take into account the fact that some three
out of the five hundred who have signed the IRON
clad pledge have been in the habit Of drinking
constantly, if even but twice day, We are taking
S75 per day from the support Of rumsellers, and
Sc 225 since the club instituted, or at the rate
of 1875 year; thus saving in twelve years a
good home for every member, and taking a prop
of yearly net profit of $3.50 from the rumsell-
F., ing interest. But the social and moral benefits
derived from the Club are of infinitely more worth
than all this. Altogether. we vote unanimously
that the Augusta Reform Club is = paying institu-
| ton.