The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-02-19
THE PROGRESSIVE NATIONALS.


May Claim.
When, few weeks ago, a committee ap-
pearcd before Che Borough Council and asked
permission to give athletic and boxing eX-
hibitions i'm Ferguson's theatre, many, in
fact a majority, of the people concluded that
there was a big sporting scheme ON foot and
expected to hear announced within "a few
days match between some prize fighters to
appear at the theatre under the auspices Of
the club and find that the representation
that the permission was asked simply, to en-
able the club to raise funds for the erection Of
a building of its own, was a mere subtertuge
1t now appears that such apprehensions were
entirely miounded and that the National
Club made the application and representa-
tions in entire good faith, and intend to act
with the borough in "A like manner.
In the first place the National Club is an
organization of prominent young and middle
aged men numbering 23S, all temperate in
their habits But a few years ago they
started with one room in the Beddall build
ing, at the corner of Main and Centre streets.
Now they rent the entire third floor. The
reason for their desire to build an edifice of
their own can readily be imagined. 1t is
superior to any other athletic and social
organization outside the large cities of the
state. 1t has SiO0 invested alone in gymna-
stun equipments, but unfortunately there is
not room even in its present quarters for
their fun use In addition to this the club
has 81 ,O7O in hand, but this is not sufficient
to purchase a site for building and the balls
the club has been holding annually do not
bring in sufficient amount to enable the
members to count upon the revenue for
building project. 1t is for this reason that
the monthly athletic entertainments have
been determined upon, and to further the
project the club has decided at the start that
nothing shall be done under its authority
that shall in any way infringe upon. n.either
the spirit or letter of the law, or challenge
respectability. Lovers of the manly art will
be satisfied. Seekers of rowdyism, or
brutality, will not only be disappointed, but
will be excluded from attendance.
One of the best evidences of the clubs good
faith is the formation of committee of ten
representative citizens to look after all ar
rangements, and in this committees hands
there has been placed $500 in cash with
power to use it to the best advantage to secure
any opening attraction that will satisfy the
public at large. In pursuance Of its authority
but without breaking into the $500 fund, the
committee has engaged Mr.. Tim Hurst to act
as referee and matchmaker for the club. Mr..
Hurst's reputation as an umpire for the
National Base Ball League and as referee for
the most prominent, influential and trust
worthy athletic organizations of the country,
is sufficient guarantee that he win not indulge
in any hippodrOming, or do anything that
may reflect upon the National Club, or in
anyway infringe upon the pledge of good
faith it has made with the borough authOri-
ties The first exhibition will be given
on the oath inst, and on the opening night
the club will have prominent speaker on
the platform to state in its behalf what il
proposes doing, the object of the venture,
and renew in its name its pledges of good
faith and legitimacy. In conclusion it may
be stated that the National Club rooms, in
cluding its gymnasium, are always open at
f all reasonable hours during the day or even
ing to inspection and use by the public and
any information concerning the club will be
given cheerfully by any Of its duly author
lied officers
The program for next Monday evening will
be as follows Mandolin solos by members OF
2 the club horizontal bar performance, club
swinging, bag punching by John O'Brien, OF
town, and Jimmy Mitchell champion OF
America two around contests between well
known amateurs s rounds between Bobby
Dobbs, of Philadelphia and Charles Watson,
] of Boston and grand windup of eight
. rounds between Jerome Quiglcy, of Phila-
] dclphia, and Charles, better known as "Bull''
p Mccarthy of Philadelphia. To get up the
first exhibition the club is involving an ex-
pense of 500.