The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-09-10
HeI7sinc Hand,

By " Young Men OF West End" which
shows that there is class in this city, as
there IS in most every other, which need a
helping hand to provide suitable places for
them to spend their evenings. They need
to feel that others take an interest in their
welfare. That class is comprised OF the
mechanics and working class who are too
poor 10 supply themselves with the com-
forts and enioyments Of the more iortu-
nate in this worlds goods. Let Us look at
botn sides OF the picture. In the homes Of
the wel-to-do we find everything that is
pleasing to the SenseS-books, pictures,
bright light and warm fires and pleasant
company. Upon the other hand, the poor
mechanic comes to his home-the young
man. particularly-and finds nothing at
tractive about it. Many OF them live in
cheap boarding. houses, where they simply
eat and sleep-their rooms being bare Of
everything but the planest furniture; in
winter no warm fire or bright light,
and no pleasant company. Is 1t to
be wondered at that this class go
out upon the streets to find company, and
to the saloons and other like places for
bright light and warm fire and other at
fractions? Upon cold winters night many
a poor fellow is glad to warm his Shivering
body beside a good fire, and the saloons
being the most convenient places are the
most irequented. How many are thereby
led into temptation! Many cities have seen,
tbis sviir aszi Eara 4alssssS~ y
Pleasant rooms are provided in locations
most convenient to the residences OF this
class. They are furnished plainly but
neattv In them can be found plenty OF
good reading matter in the shape OF books
and pamphlets and weekly and monthly
Journals excluding OF course those OF low
character), tables, and writing materials;
also, checkers and chess and their reSpec-
tive boards. There can always be found
plenty OF bright light, and in winter q
qood ,cqrno fire. A nice cocoa mating on
the floor and bright chromos on the walls
lend an air OF responsibility to the place.
In summer evenings q cooler is kept
filed with ice-water, and in winter
for a penny or two can be got a
hot cup Of coffee and roll. These rooms
are kept open at night only, some member
being appointed to voluntarily take charge
OF the room for month. During the WIN
ter they sometimes have pleasant and in
structive lectures. sometimes pleasant socia-
bles, 10 which come their wives, aud chill
d. zen. and friends, where they have music,
vocal and instrumental, and readings. For
all this the members are taxed small sum
per month-in some places twenty-five
cents, in others fifty cents. d" ....
In some cities whole buildings are occu-
pied, having library and reading-room,
| lecture-rooln, bathrooms, and checker and
classroom, but that is rather extensive
for us, / was once connected with an en-
terprise OF this kind in one OF our southern
cities, We raised library Of over eleven
hundred volumes and subscriptions to over
twenty of the best journals, and six sets OF
checkers and chess, by private contribu-
ton. The carpenters among the members
| h,,;lt the tables and bookcases, the palnt-
ers and paper-hansers did their share, so
| oU were interested. The amount OF good
done was simply incalculable. Every
night the room was filled, ana Dy
the very young men who would other-
wise have been loungers around the
street-corneIs and saloons, open to all temp.
tations. Here is a good cork that can be
done in Richmond. Let room be opened
at West End aud one on Church Hill. Wnh
energetic men 10 start the ball, II VIII ron
of itself, and this coming winter the ffuits
of il will surely be seen. Young men ana
others who labor bard need rest and recred'
fjon. II they are allowed to lind 1t IN tue
streets. they will more likely hnd the I'M
proper. II proper recreations are onered
them, together with many OF the lnduce-
| mems that are thrown around the improper,
many hundred will gladly accept them, ano
be the much better citizens by so dong.
| Since writing the above learn, through
one OF the energetic members OF the Iohht
Mems Christian Association. that move
! on foot, backed up by some OF most innu
entail men in the city, for the pure nase 0
a suitable building, where will be foun
plenty Of good reading matter. lnnocen
games OF different kinds, pleasant con-
pany, plain refreshments; and in fact, To
inducements that are thrown around th
improper. Many hundreds viii gladly al
cept them, and be much better citizens
so doing. .@
T learn that the Young Mems Christia
| Association have a move on foot TO pu!
chase building in the central portion {
the CITY, where they inteud to have librar
: and reading-room. imp oeent games Of di
ferent kinds, plain refreshments, pleasar
: com mpany, and in ilet every inducemeI
!. will be thrown out TO keep the young me
off the streets ap d out Of bad compan.
. J.. God speed them in their good woEE
| and hope oil good citizens will give the'
..belping hand" by word and deet
I This, however, will be more likely
: benefit the young men OF other classes,
e those living down town. My idea Is u
establishment OF comfortable and lnexpe'
Sive rooms in the localities near tne res
dances of the mechanic and laborlng INA
They giil hardly come from W est Emu
Chnreh Hill on cold winters nighl, Wh'
iatipued after hard days work, 70 tne &C
. traj nortion OF the city, particularly Wn'
Ia they can find warm ana Wei'i'sn'e"
csort,h