The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-02
Formed Them Into a Civic
Club for Mutual
Benefit.
ELECTED A PRESIDING OFFICER
Some ofTheir Street Slang Cropped Out
When a Moral Lecture Was Start
ed-Meeting Showed Signs
of Sudden Termination.
BY ANNIE KENDRICK WALKER.

BY ANNIE KENDRICK WALKER.
The great reading public, which has Its
morning and afternoon papers tossed at its
door, seldom gives a thought to the bit of
humanity to whom is entrusted the deliv-
cry of the daily papers.
There is such a monopoly of him, and he
has naturally become so familiar figure
that he contributes to the great cities one
of their characteristic elements.
Say, dere's cop takin down de gangs
Names" said a ringleader some time ago,
and he asked for further explanation. His
cap slanted down in front of his eyes, his
face showed great solicitude and he looked
tougher than usual.
They are going to organize newsboys'
club, he was told. and for a week afterward
he haunted the office.
One evening he again swung himself
through the doorway. His face was quite
red from a vigorous scrubbing, and his eyes
had reflected a spirit of comraderie. His
coat, hurriedly buttoned for the occasion,
disclosed at the top huge red silk four-in-
hand. He was smoking cigarette with a
blase air
gangs waitn.''
How 1t Was Held.
1t was an interesting gathering of the
newsboys of the city AS was previously
announced in the Age-Herald, the invitation
to the newsboys came through Mrs. S. d.
Cole, the director of the department of CIV
les of the Woman's club. Her object was
to form an organization of the newsboys of
the city, which should be known as the
Boys Civic Club of Birmingham.
Through her efforts thirty-one newsboys
gathered at the Woman's club, and the
ganization was perfected The club will
meet weekly, and some very practical meas
ures will be brought before the organiza-
ton.
The first meeting resulted in the election
of officers. a nominating committee being
appointed from the floor. The entire rou-
tine of business was conducted with an OBJ
servance of simple parliamentary rules,
law and order being the principles that Will
govern the Boys Civic club. The president
of the club is Master Fac Smith, Jr., the
bright young son Of Mr.. and Mrs. Fac
Smith. He is in thorough sympathy with
the newsboys, and made happy little talk.
He is popular with all the newsboys, and is
thoroughly democratic. His first suggestion
that lookout committee he appointed
emphasized his democratic principles.
When 1nicers VIII be Installed.
The president, with the other officers, will
be duly installed at the second meeting of
the club, which occurs Friday evening. The
clubs constitution plainly sets forth its OBJ
ject, and is as follows:
Article This organization shall be
called the Boys Civic club Of Birming-
ham.
Article 2-The object shall be to cncour-
age boys to seek the highest cultivation of
their mental, moral and physical being, to
the end that they may attain a high type
of manhood and citizenship. To interest
boys in those efforts which tend to the
identifying and cleansing of our city. the
prevention of cruelty to children and ami
mails, and all other measures which serve
to make our city a pride and pleasure to
its people
Article 3-To afford boys assistance in ac-
quiring business education.
Article 4-Membership. All boys under II
are eligible who heartily endorse the OBJ
jects of this club and propose to be in
earnest and conscientious in their efforts
to carry them into effect.
Article 5-Oficers. The officers shall con-
SlSt OF u president, Flce-preSluent, Secre-
tary and treasurer.
Article 6-AmenGment This constitution
-rray1 be altercu or amended by two-thrds
vote at any regular meeting provided no.
tice has been given at a previous meeting
of the proposed change.
Knows lille Cells 1t.
Does know wot's a constitution said
q member of the club. Cert" he con-
tinued. "Wot 1 sells ev'ry days plenty
When the nominating committee made
Its report an explanation was made by the
chair that If the ticket was not satisfac-
tory nominations would be in order from
the floor.
After the report was submitted, a men,
Der arose solemnly and said with great au-
dacty, just as the vote was being taken.
II want to be president myself and
was deluged with q chorus of "wot yo
givin u.s." "he wants to be president of de
United Statcs;" ''oh, amt he cute" and
other remarks less encouraging.
Later, In the meeting, a sweet-faced,
mothery woman spoke to the boys.
'How many of you boys want to be
good" she asked. The majority of them
howled wickedly. Some tossed up their