The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1899-02-09
THE SEAMAN's CLUB.
An Excellent Idea Being Quietly
Carried Out.

SdTTleu ouGs
To use a hackneyed phrase, "a
long felt want" on the water front
is about to be supplied, and that,
too, in practical and sensible man
ner The promoters of the plan are
few earnest, sensible and practical
men whose names are not, and will
not be, public property, and the sup
porters are all of those who go down
to the sea in ships. The backing
is substantial and there is more tim
Der in the woods should it be re-
CURED.
All who know anything about our
town life appreciate fully the lack
of secular attractions for our noble
seafaring men. There are attractions
for them certainly with tinge of
religion in them, but these are not
altogether agreeable to the grand
majority who take their religion as
they take their grog to suit them
selves. They like to be their own
masters and have their own govern
ment and he republic in them
selves when off duty, and none can
blame them for approaching the
priceless boon of 'liberty" after
their long confinement in close
communion with the orchestra of
the waves and the tyrannical flash
lights of the raging thunder storms.
The proposition now under way
is the establishment of seaman's
temperance club in the Brenig
building at the foot of Nuuanu
street, and almost right-face on to
the busiest part of the waterfront
The second floor of the building,
formerly occupied by lawyers and
newspaper men, is now being rapid
ly transformed into commodious
club room and will be conducted
upon somewhat the same line as the
Waverley Club, after which it is mo-
deled, with billiard tables, piano,
banjos, guitars and all desired var
tiles of musical instruments; reading
room and card room, gymnasium,
smoking room, baths and toilet de-
partment, hunks for belated sailors
and, in fact, every convenience ne
cessary or desirable.
The club will have sailors can
teen for members and their friends
at which Notwithstanding beverages
and coffee with sandwiches and
light refreshments will be served.
The rules OF the club prohibit
gambling, the use of intoxicants on
the premises and the habitual use of
profane, indecent or vulgar Ian
guage.
A nominal fee will entitle all sea-
men, for it is for seamen only, to the
privileges of the club and rendez-
vous while in the port.
| Occasionally entertainments will
be given, the performers being limit
ed to the members of the club or
sailor visitors.
1t may be interesting to mention
that while the plan of the club was
under consideration for many months
the idea was cinched by the publ
cation of the valuable and infuen,
tial letter of Captain Cutler of the
bark Klikitat which, sailor-like
struck home by it's directness in
pointing out that sailors wanted a
suitable place of entertainment
where they would feel at ease among
themselves without being interfered
with, by kindly friends with enter
tainment in the proifered hand, ano
religion in the hidden one.
A janitor will be appointed, among
whose duties it is anticipated there
will be one which will prevent the
admission of any except sailors ant
the authorities to the club except OF
special invitations.
Il All seafaring men are invited tt
, become members, and public motto,
L l. Ill