Barre evening telegram. (Barre, Vt.) 1898-19??, 1900-05-08
BARRE'S YOUNG MEN.

| EplrOR OF THE TELEGRAM The thought
! full article entitled "Barre's Young Men," by
| the Rev. +. NJ. Fuller. in yolr issue Of last
Wednesday touches on matter that has
been in the minds of many thoughtful peo-
| pie in GU. city for II long time. This prob
| lem is not peculiar to Barre. In every city
| there are many boys who have no homes, or
whose homes have little to attract the rest
less, energetic lad whose tastes and instincts
are forming. These boys are usually honest
and well meaning. They have no desire to
do wrong things, neither do they inherit vie
ious tendencies. There is in them simply
that bubbling up of irresponsible life which
gives promise of abundant usefulness when
they come to mans estate. If this energy il
turned in the wrong direction they bring up
in police cou1t, and end by be, oming II dis
grace and an expense to the community, but
let us remember that they We're not born
bad. Every tough is Il good man gone wrong.
n ''might have BEEN and we tight the ev!
he does, and lose the good he might have
done.
We may take exception to the maxim that
''the world owes every man livng,' but we
will certainly agree that the world owes every
boy chance TO became useful man. That
much he has light to ask and the commun-
ity in which he lives refuses at its peril.
Home, school and church try to give the boy
high ideals, but they cannot meet his so ll
| cravings. Like his elders, he wants to meet
his friends, those of his own age and tastes,
in social way. The street corner is not sat.
isfactory, but it is better than nothing.
The need Tor furnishing conditions for the
| social life of the boys OF Barre seemed so
crying that the W. {. T. l.. undertook the
min
reading room for them. II was tried on n
small scale and was tenn orary in its nleth-
DDS, but ii showed in lis results that the boys.
for whom it was intended appreciated the
kind purpose. and were ready TO Use the la-
cilities offered.
In other cities Boys Clubs have been form
ed to meet local needs. and have grown 10 ht
permanent features of the civic life. The
members of the W. G. II. IT,. having come 10
believe, from their former effort. that there
is place for such work here and that the
boys will he glad to second any effort in their
behalf, have Leen for some time correspond
ing with the officers of the "Naiional WORK
for Street Boys" and believe that the time il
ripe for some such work here.
The clubs are unsectarian, but expect the
support and interest of all the Christian peo-
pie of the city, The work is under the dircc-
ton of acompetent man who gives tie boys
his personal help in their undertakings. The
work. simple at first, might gradually CONT
TO include gymnasium, evening classes and
any form of helpful activity which the boys
might demand, in addition to reading rooms.
games aud social opportunities. such club,
are in successful operation in many New En-
gland towns and cities.
Here in Barre, where our population has
increased so rapidly, and where there is so
large Il loating element there is special need
for such place, where the boys may enjoy
Themselves with refined aud helpful sur.
roundings.
In lightning work of this sort. the que>-
ton Of eXt ense always arises. The average
annual cost of maintenance in such clubs. in
Guiding all expenses, is - Il wear Tor eaci
boy enrolled. 1t costs about Sl2O Il year to
maintain man in Il penal Institution. Econ
omy is on the side of the boy.
r the boys are formed rightly, the men
will not need to be reformed. 1t is easier, i,
is cheaper, it is pleasinter, it gives better
results every way to take our active, wide
awake, restless boys. and give them chance
to be men of whom we will be proud.
This work of course does not provide fol
the young men already grown up. Thei
needs are vital, and some way should he de-
vised for making recreation and social inter-
course possible for them in their leisure
hous, with clean and pleasant surro nd
ings; bat just now the demand is for im,ne
date WORK in behalf of the boys who are ius,
at the stage when the influences about them
will largely decide their future.
Mr.. Fullers letter has called our attention.
to crying need. The W. r. l.. is hoping
to do something toward meeting that need.
and their success does not depend upon
themselves. 1t does dep nd upon the inter
est and cooperation OF the earnest men and
women who love Barre and work tor hel
future glory, and who love boys and believe
in toem.
My apology for so long a letter must be the
importance of my theme. May your cour-
tesy bear fruit. Yours. in admiration of Il
clean and noble manhood,
EFfIE X. NJ. JONES