Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-22
That Under the Auspices of St.
Johns Church
OPENED IT'S new BUILDING.
Addresses by Rev. DR.. Smith and
Mr.. John A. Kasson.
THE ORGANIZATIONS HISTORY

Workingmen's Club took place last night.
From o'clock till IL prayers and pool,
moral sentiments and seven-up, tobacco
smoke, eloquence and refreshments, had
their reign. The brotherhood Of man was
emphasized. Sleek and fashionably kept
clergymen and business men chatted with
characterised sons of toll. Tallor-made
Prince, Alberts and homemade overalls
were blended in delighted and delightful
fraternity. Everybody was so glad. Hand
shakes and shoulder-slaps good advice and
applause were the order of the evening.
Hours were only seconds. Thus the time
flew. The festivities of last night were of
dual nature. They were to introduce the
club to its new quarters. 1909 Pennsylvania
avenue and to inaugurate the winters
work. The clans began to gather at Z.
They clustered around the fire and the pool
table. and the crack of the balls. the thump of
trumps and the laughter of the players
made a merry melody.
Rev. DIR. Smiths Formal Opening.
At S:15 Mr.. George w. Salter called the
assembly to order and introduced Rev. Nc
Kay Smith. rector of st. Johns Episcopal
Church. reverent hearing was accorded
the orthodox prayer which he rendered At
its close he congratulated the club on it's
having passed the period of the grub and
was now solid-founded organizat ton. Still,
it must not pause. 1t must press onward.
Better things were ahead. They were hoped
for, and with proper effort on the part of
the club they would be realized. 1t rested
with the members of the club to show
whether or not the club was a needful
thing. He believed that it was. and that
the time was not dimlv distant when IT
would own its property and be supplied
with gymnasium and bowling features.
The club had already done good work and
would do better. He was sure that it would
enlarge its sphere of usefulness. 1t was
religious club only in the sense that every
decent man or body of men should be re-
ligious 1t of course looked on religion with
an approving eye, as the upllfting motive
of mind and man. He complimented the
ladies who conduct the mems mission each
Thursday night at the club. He hoped that
the club would exert a far-reaching influ-
ence, and aid in the redemption of men. He
said that the opinion seemed to prevail
very extensively in certain circles That IL
was weak and unmanlv to be found on the
side of virtue and morality. He hoped that
the club men would display the requisite
amount of grit and sand to enlist and bat
tie in the ranks of the righteous. DR.. Smith
took some shots at the saloon and houses
of shame. Club men should bring In their
friends and when the walls of their present
house should burst they would be provided
with greater quarters. he explained that
the advisory board would arrange for
series of lectures and amusements during
the winter. He closed by advising better
fellowship among men. and declared that
the closer down to each others hearts we
got the better 1t would be all around.
Mr.. John A. kassOn's Remarks.
The next sneaker was ex-Minister John
A. Kasson. The applause and appearance
of the meeting reminded him somewhat Of
his political experiences. He said some
charming things about the new quarters
of the club 1t was, said Mr.. Kasson.
distinctive American characteristic to work
to improve condition. Americans We're
more that way than were any other ma
tionaiity. Americans wanted to tune up
the head. This meant, he thought, an i'm
provement of the heart. He referred to
our mighty public school system to sub
stantiate his remarks. There were in Wash
ington 1000 scientific men, and from this
list the club management would have no
difficulty in giving series OF entertaining
and instructive lectures. DIR. Smith intro
duced Mr.. Il. II. Warner with some pleas
ant compliments. He explained that when
he received his invitation he had no idea
as to the nature of the enterprise he was
to attend. and he had brought his wife
along, and she had the honor of being the
only lady the audience. At this refer
ence to the lady there was a disposition to
applaud. He was encouraged by the fact
that the meeting was presided over by the
rector of a fashionable church. He dis
coursed on what he understood to be the
aims of the club. 1t was to lift men up
and to aid in eXempting them from tempta-
ton. All this work helped the community.
He prophesied that the club house would
become more and more attractive. He in
dorsed the advice of DR.. Smith, that the
club should own its establishment. 1t paid
to do right. Mr.. Salter then announced that
candidates could become members upon
proper voucher and the payment of % cents
initiation fee. No unnecessary restrictions
would be placed upon them. 1t was only
expected that they act as gentlemen. No
gambling would be permitted. DIR. Smith
asked the divine blessing. many of the
clubmen returned to their games, and later.
a collation. of coffee, sandwiches and oys-
tiers were dispensed. Some of the notables
present., other than those already named,
were: John A. King, Mr.. f. w. Hackett,
Mr. Sidney Everett Mr.. Sunderland and
Commodore Chadwick.
Origin of the Club.
st. Johns Workingmen's Club was Or
ganized in 1885 by several of the male
members of the aggregation of St. Johns
Episcopal Church. Its purpose was to fur
nish place of resort for men which would
be more attractive, yet moralizing, than
the street corner or the barroom. Quarters
were fitted up at No. 2207 Virginia avenue
and here the club resided till it was duly
ensconced in its new home last night. 1t
has membership of siXty-five, principally
young men. 1t is hoped that the member
ship may be increased this season to 100
1t is governed by an advisory board of six
active members and six contributive MEM
bers. The former are as follows: Messrs.
T. l.. W. Thornton, w. j. Mulhall, William
Cook, Ernest l.. Harrison and Jules Rodier
The contributive members are: G.. w. Salter,
William COrcoran Hill, Edward McCauley,
j. A. Kasson, Charles Fosdc and DR..
Robert Reyburn. The minimum age of
members is eighteen. The monthly dues
are 10 cents.
The present quarters Of the club are in
what, the reporter was told, is currently
termed zone of the seven original build
ings of Northwest Washington" 1t is said
that one of the ladies connected with the
Mems Mission used to visit the house half
century ago. The lady's name is withheld
through respect for a popular female weak
ness. The house is an old-fashioned three
story brick. After entering through heavy
oaken double doors, the visitor is in wide
hall. uncarpeted as yet. The flooring of this
shows clearly the wear of time and feet.
The Main Club Room.