The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-22
Y.M.C. A.LYCEUM
PresidentA. J. Williams Tells
Something About It.
1t is a FIourishing and Practical De-
batting Club.
A Suggestion TO Members OF the Old
Franklin Lyceum.


To THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS:
SIR-I notice in the articles which have
recently appeared in THE NEWS regarding
the Franklin Lyceum q slight reference
TO the Y. NJ. G. A. Lyceum which hardly
does the latter organization justice, and
trust that you will give me brief space
in which 10 give few facts concerning
the same. In the first place the
". NJ. c. A. Lyceum is
debating society. At the time the above
articles appeared in THE NEWS it was
meeting for a short time (S weeks) in the
form OF the City Council of Providence,
but 1t has now returned to the regular
lyceum work and last Wednesday evening
discussed the question:: "Resolved, That
Municipal Suffrage should be restricted
TO property owners" In the
near future il is to discuss the
advisability of the city's owning the
lighting works, making the kindergarten
a part of the free public school system,
ETC., the aim being to discuss questions
which are of great general or local inter-
est. 1t would take too mnch space to
mention the many great debates which
have been held in the five years the Ly-
ceum has been in existence. Among
them have been Bimetalism, Woman
Suffrage, Length OF Presidential
Term, Method of Electing United States
Senators, joint debate with Brown Uni
versity on opening the Worlds Fair Sun
days, etc. A year agoa brief session in
the form OF the lower house of Congress
was held and was very successful. 1t has
been customary for the society to adjourn
during the vacation months in summer,
but last season the meetings were contin-
ued through the summer and some of the
brightest debates the society ever had
came during this summer session.
This lyceum was organized nearly five
years ago by Mr.. ii. S. Tarbell. Its growth
has been gradual, but it has gathered Its
membership from among the brightest
young men OF the city. 1t now numbers
about 75 and includes well-known
lawyers, doctors, business men and stu
dents. The ages Of the members range
from 20 to 60, the average being about 30.
The only requirements for membership
are to be 16 years old and q member Of the
Y. M. G. A. The dues are a little less than
one dollar per year. Meetings are held
every Wednesday evening and everybody
IL invited.
1t seems as though here is the nucleus
around which might gather the old MEM
bers OF the Franklin Lyceum who wish
for reorganization OF that society, with
any others who msy wish to secure the
advantages which are surely to be de-
rived from membership in such a society
as the Franklin was. cannot conceive
better conditions for the building
up of great debating society;
there are hall accommodations for 900
members and visitors; monthly paper
issent to every member in which any res-
sonable amount of space is gladly given
10 the Lyceum; there are all the advant-
ages of connection with the Y. NJ. e. A.
hall, reading room, library, committee
rooms, etc.; and yet it is entirely inde-
pendent and governs itself in every re-
spect. 1t has done q great work in the
past five years and its membership roll
assures its success for long time to come.
There are, beyond a question, hundreds
VI youuS iucn III tue City VINO WOulu
gladly avail themselves OF the advantages
OF this society IL they knew OF its ex-
istence and understood its aims and
work. shall hope that THE NEWS will
sssist us in spreading this Information.
Doubtless many of the persons, perhaps
all of them, that you mention as con-
nected with the Franklin Lyceum would
have attained public recognition and
honor had they never been connected
with any such society, but / think each
OF them would unhesitatingly say that
the training there obtained was a greater
help to them in public life than any other
schooling they had, though it
may have cost them many
times as much. II is "a training which is
invaluable and can be obtained nowhere
else, and any young man who has an am
bition 10 take even a small part in public
affairs cannot afford to deprive himself of
its advantages.
Any members OF tho Franklin Ly ceum,
or anyone else, will be gladly welcomed at
any of the meetings of the Y. NJ. G. A.
Lyceum, either as visitors or as applicants
for membership. Very truly yours,
Al. WILLIAMS,
Prest. Y. NJ. c. A. Lycoum.
Providence, April II, 1895.