The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-24
NEEDS OF THE YIN. C. A.
A CALL TO THE PUBLIC FOR As
SISTANCE.
Work Of This Grand Organization Re-
viewed and the Amount Necessary
Given-Let the People Respond.


should be read with interest:
eve respectfully invite the attention of
the Richmond people to the following
statement concerning the condition and
necessities OF the Y. NJ. c. a. OF this
city:
1--WE are powerfully convinced that the
matter is one which touches the welfare
OF our community. and We feel there
fore, that it shall command the best at
tention Of thoughtful citizens.
I'VE do not claim to have more interest
in the welfare of this institution than
those have TO whom we now appeal, but
having beea recently called upon TO make
a thorough study of the Y. NJ. c. A., we
feel we are justified in making special
presentation Of its claims TO the public
I'VE were appointed some time ago by
a meeting of Richmond citizens to devise
some scheme for the relief OF our Young
Mems Christian Association, and 1t is
under that commission that we now speak.
THE Young Mems Christian Association
has been for many years recognized
feature of our social and religious life.
"I;s record is before the public. and SUI
IClcHiiy guSliiItS liS tAi9ttANts o'N P.N"No
loud Tor its support.
at is lust to say that the association
has never attained its highest efficiency,
and that simply because 1t has never
been accurately noUrished and sustained
by the city, It has been compelled to do
its work on a stinted allowance. IT has
not been as well cared for here as 1t has
been in ether cities.
And yet it has always commanded pub
lie respect. An attempt TO dispense with
its work, would evidently encounter the
strongest opposition. Indeed, the people
have ever been quick 10 take alarm when
it was in peril and 10 spiing forward
promptly TO its rescue. Hey have only
needed TO know what the situation actual
" required in order 10 come forward
with relief. Nor can we believe that they
will fail ut this time TO regard the wants
OF this good enterprise when they shall
be brought to realize tnemf
SPECIAL NEED OF MONEY.
ut will surprise some to learn that TIE
association is in special need OF money at
this time. The fact will be at once re-
called that two years ago a noble con-
tribution amounting TO nearly $4,000, was
given to the aseociation. When 1t Is
stated that it is compelled 10 make an
other call for money, there may. for the
moment at least, be a suspicion that there
has been mismanagcment somewhere. Let
no one draw wrong CONCLUSION, IL ohly
needs to be recalled that the money rals-
ed two years ago was intended 10 liqui-
date a great debt which for years had
burdened the association. That was, IN
deed a splendid gift. by which that debt
was almost entirely extinguished, and 1t
brought unspeakable relief. But tnat
money was not intended TO meet current
expenses or TO provide for repairs or I'M
provements, and 1t would not have been
honorable TO divert II from its original
purpose. Let those who arc giving their
money under the pledges made two years
ago understand that the directors are
using that money for the specific ends
for which it was given.
I'VE bring to the public now issue.
We ask help for the association in other
directions The reasonableness and neces-
sity for the appeal which we now make
must be apparent as soon as they nave
been stated. We ask the public for help
to meet deficit in the current expenses
of the association. There ought not 10 De
any surprise hat such a deficit exists, I'M
less it be surprise that the people nave
failed 10 supply sufficient money to meet
every expense.
nay for itself in money. This 1t has
never done. and we need not hope that
il ever will. The work Of the association
is quite varied. partly benevolent, partly
educational. partly literary, and partly
charitable. get, of course distinctly moral
and religious in its intent. Much OF us
work yields no financial return.
THE association must live largely upon
Gifts of our generous and puDlic-spirited
citizens. 1t deals with the weak ana en-
daneered classes of society, and, of course.
has to look outside for means TO carry
on its work.
ut has been many years since any
important improvements have been put
upon the building. The directors cannot
longer delay in making some important
changes. and there is absolutely no in
come for this purpose. But II seems petter
that the directory shall tell the story Of
their necessities.
WHAT is NEEDED.
ION last Thursday night u number OF
citizcns met the gentlemen OF the direc-
tory and secured from item the follow
ins statement as to the several amounts OF
money which, in their Judgment was
necessary TO enable the association 10
accomplish the best results:
The Board of Directors OF the Y. Nj. L.
A. submit the following financial state
ment:
Amount necessary for current ex-
penses for the year 1896 S,S0J.VV
Estima ted receipts from ali sources,
including sustaining member
shps. which in 1895 amount
cd 70 60 52......................... 5.s57O0
Deicjt in current expenses Tor
which annual sust lining mem
berships Will have 10 be Sc
currJ 1880
Amount required for accessory re-
pairs. including new heating APP
lNrdluS .....-..s.+...-..- -'--+'.-'' ~'-0S'NN
Additional amount needed 10 Cd
tain hest results. l,lV'W
Floating debt, produced by an
nual deficits past two years.. SoeS.62
Interest OIL part of floating debt. l2ho
Estimated snrinkagc In building
funi subscriptipns........ ....." l,oVV.W
Needs of the association "
o,otal .............. S9,54l. 81
of which 81, i43 should be in additional
annual subscriptions.
Respectfully,
RO. NJ. SMITH,
1rfa NEWMAN