The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-03-29
THE ArHLDr1c CLUB.
An Institution That Is In Every Way
Worthy of Support.
Resultant Benefits of It's Maintenance
to the Rising Generaton-Improve
the Moral and Physical
Qualftlec.


in existence for over twelve months,
and contributed at intervals to the
amusement OF the friends of members
and to the support in a slight degree
of some of the most worthy local insti-
tutions, its benefits are not very thor
oughly understood. Most people look
upon an athletic club solely as a place
Of recreation for the young and occa-
sionally for those Of more mature age,
forgetful of the fact that its health
giving influences, both moral and phy-
sical, are perhaps greater than those
of any institution devoted wholly or In
part to purposes Of recreation. 1t is
natural for the young to seek excite
ment, which, when found, often as,
sumes a pernicious form and a char
acter highly prejudicial to both moral
and physical health; but 1t is an axiom.
attic truth that when enthusiasm in
the almost ever-present desire to at
tain excellence manifests itself in the
minds of the boys, the danger of temp,
tation is comparatively slight. The
feeling of exhilaration consequent upon
the attainment of perfect physical con-
dition is the best protection against
the seductive influences of bad COM
pany, and most easily and readily en-,
ables the average youth to pronounce
an emphatic mo" when assailed by
temptation in any form.
On the assumption that this prop
osition has been established, the ques-
ton naturally arises, "Why is the
membership of the club not much
larger than is the case?" And the inev-
liable conclusion Is reached that the
public at large are either indifferent
to the moral health of our boys, or
have not given the matter any consid>
Grafton whatever. Which conclusion
Is correct the reader can determine
for himself. And yet the permanence
of the club is not dependent upon the
young as much as upon those who, by
reason of greater and wider experience
can by example and precept, lead their
youthful brethren into paths that tend
to health and conduce to better NOR
al tone. Many of the most prominent
business men, whose interests are like
ly to be identified with the city for
the tenure Of their lives, are not mem>
bers, and yet they could best afford
the expenditure of the small amount
charged for dues. What good would
1t do me to belong?" a business man
may ask, but he will scarcely have
the hardihood to deny the argument
given above. But from a business
standpoint what can 1 gain, for it is
from that basis that you must argue
in order to convince me?" he may
insist. To this it may be replied that
the wants of an institution having
a membership of even 100 are many.
For instance, a year ago jerseys, com.
monty known as sweaters" were not
to be found In our stores. Now they
lind a ready sale, as do gymnasium
shoes and suits and many other things
that are indispensable. Fuel light, and
other comml lilies, including laLn,
have cost the club during the last
twelve months over $1,000, every dollar
of which has returned into the chan
nels of local trade. These expenses
would of necessity have swalnped the
club long since and male its mainte-
anace an imposs3bilIty but for the
generosity oil Mr.. George c. Flavel,
who provides the gymnasium gratuit-
ously. Some will not belong to the
club because they do not care to ex.
ercise. To those 1t may be said that
as spectators they can, almost
at eny time, see a credltable exhibition
Of gymnastics, wrestling, boxing, OF
other sports.
The club, too, has the proud honor of
having among its members the cham
pion middle and long distance runner
of the Pacific Northwest, in the per-
son of Mr.. w. E. Tallant, whose per-
formances during the past year have
been the means of bringing the city
into much prominence as the residence
of the future distance champion of
America. Prominent among the
clubs gymnasts is Ed. Hansen, whose
horizontal bar performances are ex
ceedingly graceful and who Is fully
equal in proficiency to any other coast
Among the wrestlers D. Nc.
Lean and C. Heilborn are rapidly be. |
coming proficient while ON the cinder
path r. e. Carruthers, ait the shorter !
distances divides the honors with W
g. Tallant. In Prof. Wright, the club
mas one Of the best high jumpers to be |
found, while in other branches of ath-
letic sport there are others of much |
promise
With such a showing it is not too
much, therefore, to ask the business
men to assist the institution to the
extent of ONE dollar monthly. All can
well afford 1t, and in after years when
tine influences of the club become more
apparent, the expenditure would be
looked back upon with a great degree
of satisfaction, and enable the con-
tributor to say heartily THAT dollar
month to the Athletic Club was money
well spent"