Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1892-09-13
A CLUB FOR WORKERS
A NEW YORK CLUB THAT IS Lati
LoNDoN's ToYN6EE HALL

An IuthuhiAhtA' anu ~ iiA"' A-''N'Nt ttfr
started n work That Is Already rro
daoins Good nesni,s workingincn
Havo Advantages Of Real Club Life
The nearest approach to a Toynbee
Hall in America is the East Side club.
Tho movement originated in the Church
club, an organization consisting Of about
400 representative Episcopaians
Instead Of an Oxford tutor, a New
York lawyer, Everett p Wheeler, con
ceived the idea Of a hospitable homo,
with liberal minded men in residence, !
whero the workingmcn of tho east side |
might meet. Mr.. Wheeler had just re-
turned from London when he read his |
paper TO the Church club, showing the
magnitude and magnidcouco Of the |
work accomplished in Whitechapcl by
university extension.
Tho laymon were SO very favorably
impressed by tho strength Of the appeal
and the oarnestness Of their associate
that as individuals they agreed TO give
any project he might formulate their
support. That was in March, 1891.
In June Mr. Wheeler had rented
an old frame dwelling house at the
foot of East Sevoniy-sixth street, once
tho country residence Of promi-
Aent Now York physician, TO which ho
/ gave tho name Of the East Sido club.
His family had gone abroad, and when
it was learned that Mr. Wheeler Ind
closed his house at the corner of Seventy
first street and Park avenue and taken
up his residence in tho club for the sum-
mer, his friends in the Lawyers club,
tho Church club and society generally
were amazed. From chance acquaint-
| ances he made friends, and the few who
were welcomed TO the freedom Of the
turf and the cool shade about the house
welcomed others ON their own response
bility. In this simple and cordial way
tho men were drawn to the East Side
club every evening, and on Sundays
they brought their children and their
lunches and newspapers and picnicked
ON the grass
Mr.. Wheeler talked 20 the people. He
had every newcomer introduced 10 him,
and he sat ON the grass with them; he
smoked and read with them, and no not
only got their ideas on political, social
and industrial questions, but frankly
naye his own. Some Of these friendly
discussions lnstod week. and news of
them drew now visitors. When ono
evening "tho club gentleman" as he
was called, invited two men 20 dine with
him, his sincerity Of purpose was ostab-
lshed, and since then the work has pros.
pcrod.
Associated with Mr.. Wheeler were The
p Rev. Mr.. Theodore +. Bacon and Mr.. l.
( ID. Hughes, graduate and student Of di
vinity. Notwithstanding the religion.
! tendency of these gentlemen and th'
support of the Church club, the worl
was conducted on purely nonsectariaI
n lines. Not q Scripture quotation wa
seen on tho walls, and neither hymna
nor book Of common prayer was visible
s Tho old fashioned dining room wa
converted into billiard hall, and her
y tho men smoke and chat, play billiards
r. chess and checkers Whenever they like
At small expense the conservator.
was converted into gymnasium. Oh
b. the Same floor Is tho lavatory and bath
% Every day in the week from 8 q. N
. until 10 p. IN. the clubhouse Is open an'
+, the attendance in the billiard room anl
h gymnasium IS greater Sunday than q
n any other time. When exception wa
p taken to this unusual plan of operation
n Mr.. Wheeler took the ground that
u gentleman might play O game Of bill
I'll. T.. l,f- v,-f.r,tn sluI, SUNDAY q ffnr
# noon if tho notion pleased him withou
N exciting any comment among tho mem
Al bers. Granting this privilege 10 a Iner
!. chant, banker or professional man, win
q should it be denied his truckman an
Il clerks? It also occurred 10 him that
!, game OF cards in private club was mo-
4 only less baneful, but less cxponsiy
y than in a saloon or beer garden.
/. Another innovation is a monthly dane
to which all the members are invited {
bring thcir wives, sisters and friends
Good music is provided, simply printe
;, dancing cards are distributed and in III
u middle of tho programme hot chocolat
/, and cake or coffee and sandwiches ar
T, served The young Clergyman is al
/. ways present, and no group, howevo
4 small, is unattended ia the club, and /
n consequence noisy harangues, profanit
! and discord are unknown.
Now there are five club residents-Ml
u W. S. Brush. also a lawyer; Mr.. Par
!, Reynolds. editor Of a religious papo
u Mr.. Willis b. Holcom, Mrs. Virgini
i Goolin, the kindergarten, and her littl
son.
The ianitor and his wife take caro- {
the house and John Codet, aged sixteei
is custodian of the Fairgrounds. On
ing the day Mrs. Goohin teaches all ii
4. children who come TO tho kindergarten
:. Last October an epidemic broke out an
i tho school had TO be closed. Sever
- deaths resulted from measles and fevc
:. The work was resumed recently with
- membership Of fifty. AT tho start the
Z, toddlers had to be washed and scrubbe'
& now they present themselves clean an
10 tidy.
ANY self respecting man may becon
a member of the club by paying fiji
cents month. This fee entities d
member to all the privileges anG adva
rs tages Of q social and friendly organic
.- A. IA .s.-,. lie .lfI1 ror, tho FrnaTu.