Morning journal and courier., 1885-01-27
Tuesday, January 20, 1855.
ITS FIELD OFLABOR.

The Boys Club fthe United Workers
- The Extent and Scope of Its Oper-
alton The Rooms in Business
Houses.
That there is such an institution the
Boys club must by this time be known to
every citizen of New Haven. But it is be-
| lieved that accurate knowledge as to the
extent of its work is confined to the few who
have personally visited it, Every evening in
the week, except Sunday, from the first of
November to the end of March, the club
rooms in the basement of the State House
| are open, from seven to nine. The visitor
on entering finds himself in room we'll
| lighted and warmed, furnished with small
tables and light chairs. Around these tables
| are gathered average of two hundred
| boys, their ages ranging FROM eight to
sixteen. Some are reading, others looking at
bound volumes of picture papers,
a few are drawing, large
number are playing games, checkers, domi-
noes, tivoli, etc. All are busy and all seem
happy There is noise, of course-could
two boys in any room enjoy themselves with
out making a noise?-but there is no d1sor
der. At the rear of the room are parallel
and horizontal bars, trapeze and other
gymnastic apparatus. Here there is always
a crowd of boys, eagerly waiting their turn,
and striving for acrobatic honors, Their
flushed cheeks and bright eyes showing that
the exercise is doing them vast amount of
physical good.
Adjoining the large room is smaller one
where a class is being taught the elements of
carpentering by man skilled in the trade,
and both judicions and kind. 1t is consid-
cred great privilege to be admitted to this
class and the boys work industriously
Those who have been there but short time
are now making stools which can be sold for
enough to cover the cost of material.
From time to time entertainments are
given, generally by members of the commit
tee in charge. At these times it is proved
that the superintendent has the boys under
complete control, expecting from them a
quiet behavior which would do credit to any
boys in the city. Recently oneof the COM
mittee showed pictures with a ster-
eopticon for more than one hour to three
hundred and seventeen boys, who remained
quietly standing all of the time. When it is |
remembered that these boys come from the |
poorest and toughest parts of the city, such |
influence seems marvellous During the last |
two years the club has steadily improved in |
this respect under the superintendence of |
Mr. Mo9d"rd student Now IN M ahe
Elmer E. Hayes, who resides here and for
merly assisted Mr. Woodland, has taken his
place, filling it TO the entire satisfaction of
the committee He has two assistants, one of
whom acts as janitor; the other gives out
books and games.
rTyl.a
ing as to the management of the club, it will |
be well to give direct information in this |
point. The Boys club is a branch of the !
United Workers and is supported from the |
treasury of that society together |
with especial contributions for , this |
and gentlemen are appointed by the society |
to regulate all matters concerning the club |
and study how to increase its usefulness. 1t |
is not connected in any way with the Gospel |
Union, nor has Mr.. John G. Collins had any
thing to do with it for many years.
Those III charge of the work believe it to |
be worthy of their earnest thought and effort |
Is it not great and beautiful enterprise |
which every night keeps two hundred of our /
boys sheltered, warm and safe from the evil |
influences of the streets and low places of L
as well as from the cheerless pow
erty of the places which they call their L
homes
Mr.. Hayes says no one would wonder that !
the boys love to come, if their homes could
be seen! One bitter night this winter a
boy was warming himself by the
stove Some one said, ~ believe this the
best part after ALL" bright you are!' was
the hearty response. A gentleman recently
buying paper said to the newsboy, 'Do yon
go to the Boys club!' ''You bet, I do"
was the emphatic reply.
The police say the club makes great diff
ference with the attendance at the low thea
tiers. Will not those who have boys of their |
own, or who care for the morality of the
city, show some interest in a work which be-
gins in the only way of reform
with the boyss Will they not visit |
the club and encourage those who |
are there night after night? Will |
they not give money, picture-books and pa
pers, or games such their own boys like,
that those who have no attractions at home |
may know what it is to have good time!
Contributions will be gladly received by |
S. w. Day, $50 Chapel street, chairman of |
Boys Club committee.