The Washington times., 1895-03-03
Civic Center Enters the Lists
Against Ignorance.
EVILS TO BE PUT TO FLIGHT
Physical, Mental, and Moral Condition of
Humanity to Be Bettsred by Intelligent
and United -NOn-Dartisan and
NOn-5ectarian Observation-Disclosures
Survey of the CitY-Awaken Attention


newest and most promising organizations
inspired with the object of bettering the
physical, mental, and moral condition of
mankind, viii soon enter actively upon the
work mapped out for ii. The chief method
il viii employ is that of education, to be ac-
complished in the ways open to such work,
and il proposes to throw the light Of the
latest scientific research upon every ques-
ton affecting humanity
The main reason for the formation of the
Centre is that, up to date, there has been no
centre, no association that brings the yari-
GUS reformation forces at work into the most
effective cooperation, or that properly
unites efforts made upon different lines,
but which should support each other. This
idea of Capitalization of knowledge and
power is most effectively employed in bust
ness One of the principles underlying the
American government is that of the intelli-
gent consideration, interest, ard co-opera-
ton Of citizens in the affairs which affect
the body polite.
INDICATION OF ITS SCOPE.
The constitution of the Centre gives a
clear indication of the scope of the work.
The first article only states the name.
Article II. Objects. The Civic Centre
shall be a non-partisan and non-sectarian
organization TO promote the public good in
the following departments Municipal, edu-
! cational, charitable, industrial, public
health, public comfort, and public morals.
The chief aims OF the Centre in these several
departments shall be:
First To make and maintain complete
sociological survey of the interests, condi-
ton and needs of the city OF Washington in
ali the above departments.
Second To take and keep accounts of all
the agencies and organizations. public and
private, at work in any of these departments.
Third. Tossecure such additional organi-
Zations as may he found Deedful to cover
fields not yet occupied; and
Fourth. To awaken and direct public
attention to the wrongs and evils TO be sup
pressed. and to public good to be attained;
to aid in the formation OF public opinion
and to enlist all good citizens in the work.
Article III. Organi cation. The civic
center shall consist of a center council and
as many civic committees as may be
! necessary for its work; not less than one
committee for each of the seven depart
ments named in article II.
Second. The center council shall consist
/ of the chairmen OF the several civic commit
tees and five councillors, and an additional
1 councillor for any precinct that may be found
unrepresented in the council.
FOUR FOUR
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Third The center council shall elect
! from their own number a chaiIman, two
! secretaries, one for records and the other
I for correspondence, a treasurer, and stand
! ing committee on ways and means.
MEMBERSHIP IN THE CENTER.
Article ". Membership-The Civic
Center. in addition to the members of the
/ Center Council and Civic committees, who
! shall be its active members, will count as
associate members, by right of the work
! they are doing, the following:
/ The Commissioners of the District
! and chief officers of the District govern
mott, including the judges and magistrates
4 of the District courts.
9 The board of education, Superin-
! tendents of schools; Officers and faculties
of universities and colleges; all Librarians
/ OF public libraries; curators Of art galleries
and scientific museums, with the Officers
! of all scientific and literary and art So
! cieties, institutions, and clubs, or circles.
8. The clergy and pastors of ali churches
1 in the District, the superintendents OF Sun
! day-schools and missions, and the officers
! OF the Young Mems Christian Association,
and the Womens Christian Temperance
Union, and all similar organizations.
4 The superintendent of charities, the
board of children's guardians, the Officers
of the Associated Charities and other chari-
table societies, institutions Of children's
aid societies, orphanages, homes, and re-
| form schools.
| 8. The officers of medical societies, of
the Sanitary League, and of the hospitals
1 and asylums.
6. The Officers OF the hoard of trade, of all
citizens associations, and of all societies
for municipal reform, the officers in charge
! of public parks and grounds.
| z. The officers of trade unions and Other
societies of workingmen and women.
COMMITTEES AT WORK.
Under this constitution the following
committees have already been organized