The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-11-24
nina CInh MnYement.

BOClhl lublllultb. lSAiulOoO AOA lOhk
years to the wealthy and idle, clubs
we're looked upon as very far removed
from the sphere of the workman.
Recent years have chsnged all this,
and now, whether founded for politi-
cal OF purely social purposes, the work.
mans club is q recognized institution.
This movement, OF which very little
note has been taken, must have a very
great siitc upon the life OF the peo-
pie. Meeting together as they do in
these buildings night after night Tor
Herreative or educational bjscts-for
the newspaper aud the magazine are
amoDgst the best OF educators- dull
wits N ust be frightened and bright
wits rendered more brilliant. The
movement 10 worth greater considera
ton ia view OF the strides the temper
ance agitation 10 making. Even II 1t
be granted that the closing OF public
houses is necessary for the common
good, advocates OF local option or
other legislative action relating 10 the
liquor traffic must show that those
who frequent those places may
have their cial requirements
supplied in another way. We cannot
have the open air cafe, with ito
music and gaiety, in our changeful
climate. To us the public house ex-
ists in it's stead, and affords the En-
Rlish workman that means of social
intercourse which the continental cafe
does in SO much better way for the
German aud French workman. From
the very large number who have thus
only the bar or taproom as common
ground OF meeting has arisen the
greatest opposition TO temperance leg
islation, and temperance advocates
might advantageous consider wheth-
O. by giving hearty aid to the iorms-
ton OF Workmen's clubs they would
not be advancing their own cause.
Anyone who has visited them must
have been delighted with the chsrsc-
ter OF these institutions In general.
Particularly will this be the case ii the
clubs are entirely free from political
OF other patronage. Managed by the
members themselves, they prove what
good things can be done by few reso-
lutte men determined TO succeed in
their objects. In every way they must
exercise q most healthy influence on
their members. There is this further
70 be said for them, that they cannot
lead to so much drinking as do public
places of resort. When a man en-
tsls q gin palace he is expected to
order something, and to keep order
ing II he stays. There Is no such
obligation to waste money attached to
the membership Of workingman's
club. Every club, Of course, will have
few choice spirits who will gqusnder
their earnings ioolishly, but even they
have far less temptation to this course
than they would have in public
house. A recently published state.
ment OF the Workingmen'H Club and
- Institute Union shows that there art
at present affiliated to Il about 81.
clubs and great number exis
throughout the country which are no
united to it. OF those which are
about 100 are in the metropolis alone
The members of these affiliated club
have an advantage which is not en-
jjyfd by those belonging to more pre-
tentious institutions, In being enabled
10 become honorary members OF al
the other clubs, and to thus enjo,
their privileges equally with their own
Associated with thia union sre two o
the largest clubs in existenCe-th'
Borough OF Hackney Club and tht
United Radical Club, also OF Hack
nay. These clubs number respectively
100 and 1400 members, and may sery,
az an excellent example for work
ingmen promoters Of similar insti
tutions to aim at. They contain
billiard and bagsielle tables, car,
and smoke rooms, fine reading room
we'll stocked with all the daily ant
weekly newspapers and mega Einet
combined with a circulating library o
over 1000 volumes. The large hall
OF the clubs are used for almoa
nightly entertainments. Dramsti
aud musical performances, poliliCa
and social lectures and scientific ad
dresses form the programmes, an,
each evening the meetings are al
tended not only by the members, bu
bv their wives, accompanied on Ger
tain suitable occasions by even thei
children. For those entertainment
no charge is made, and more pleasau
psstimes could not be devised. Tn
question arises, How Is all this KEEP
up2 The revenues are derived PAL Il
iIom subscriptions, partly from tn
sale of refreshments. The subscriI
tions vary from Cd TO Ia each membe
per month-a very low figure; but tn
income is considerably augmented b
the sale OF refreshments. These az
served at low prices, often from %
40per cent. below the charges at th
public houses, and the members hay
also the liquors supplied in the cond
ton they are received from III
brewer or distiller In these larG
clubs the receipts from the refrest
ment bars and supper tables amour
10 from G5000 to 10000 yea, o
which a gross profit, even at the lowe
prices Rcharged, is made OF about 3
per cent. There can be no doub
judging from all this, that wolkin
mems clubs have great future befor
them, and that they will continue {
increase In number and iniluenC,
The Advantages are 20 many and tn
disadvantages 80 few, as compare
with the evils only too frequently ri
ing from men meeting in publ
HOUSES, that one wonders that on
artisans have not been more alive
their worth. II is true that we hav
heard great deal about bogus club
OF late, but that matter would not b
difficult one to dispose Of. Thos
who objected most strongly to worl
mems clubs hitherto have been III
occupants and owners OF license
houses. No one who ia not animate
by fears for vested interests or b
class preiudices can rase his voiC
against their growth, afoTding 8
these clubs do such means of sui
stantal enjoyment and confsrrip
such d cided benefits on those who's
way Of lie leaves opportunities Il
very little social intercourse other
wlse.
Gut Of she Imaginative Brain I
Chicago Reporters.
LoUmviLLE KY, November 3d.