The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-01-27
The BOYS CLUB ANNUAL.
Practical Results Obtained by This
Worthy Organization.

The annual meeting of the Boys Club was
held yesterday afternoon at Mrs. Edgar j.
Fosters. Mr.. T.. C. Day presided. The pro-
gramme included two solos by Mrs. Walter
Fugate, the reports of the officers and the
election, and serving of hot coffee and
doughnuts. The declination of Mr.. I. c..
Day for further official work on account of
i'll health was received with regret. The
following officers were elected:
President-D. w. Coffin.
Vice President-Mrs. Edgar j. Foster.
Secretary-Mrs X. Remy Butler.
Treasurer-C. NJ. Zener.
Superintendent-Miss Alice Graydon.
Mr.. T. c. Day. the retiring president,
made an address, in which he spoke of the
Improvement in directness and thorough
ness made in the work among the boys. in
their better discipline. their sense of obli-
cation for what is done for them and a
greater respect for authority. During the
year the Boys Club has taken it's place in
the circle of charities Of the city and the
constituency of the club has been enlarged
by the means of the organization of Sec
tons. The club also recognizes the gift of
books from the School Board to carry on
the night school at the club, and appointed
Miss Wright to conduct a school three
nights in the week. Mr.. Day reviewed the
work of the Boys Club in New York. which
was organized twenty years ago. The
membership last year was 1850 and the
actual attendance during the season G., 399.
In closing he said:
Il nave spoken at some length to show
you that the idea which we are working out
in indianapolis and which has commended
itself TO our citizens by practical result,
has taken deep root in other communities.
The Boys Club. properly conducted. is the
most efficient remedy for the trend to crime
among the boys of the street and the agent
most lknlN IN lnnd rhD - Onnd
ship"
The report of the secretary. Mrs. Butler,
was a review of the year. with its enter
given for the benefit of the club.
She made special reference to the asso-
ciated work. The club has organized sec
lions. membership in which is 81 a year.
The money thus gained is TO be used for the
current expenses of the club. The club now
has about four hundred members in the
running expenses of the club could be met.
The report of the treasurer showed the to-
tai amount raised by the ladies of the
board to be Ss57.43 and for the permanent
fund S5.4.15 the total subscription being ST.
57S.43. The expenses OF the club were 81
504.50. leaving a balance of $685. available
money and s195. 60 for the permanent fund.
The report of the superintendent, Miss
Graydon. was of much interest to the
board. In brief it showed that S31 boys
have been registered at the club. and the
home of each of these boys has been visited
and the conditions investigated. OF the
number of boys registered some nave gone
away, some are awaiting ana serving SEN
fences in Jail and workhouse and many live
a distance from the club. so that about 200
received benefit from the club during the
year. The boys coming under the influence
of the club are quick to respond. and ev-
erything is done to attract them. Enter
tainments are given and there is friendly
visiting by the superintendent and members
of the board, the latter appointed by the
month; there are regular mothers meet
ings: there is a night school. a Sunday
school and employment agency. and much
material aid has been given to l6S boys and
their f2 antilles. Special note is made of out
side assistance given. DR.. Wright per-
formed an operation for crossed eyes on one
boy. which was successful. and "A summer
class was conducted by l.. H. Martin, who
also entertained the boys at his home.
These and many other things have been
done and are being done daily for the boys
and with beneficial results.