The Penn's Grove record., 1905-07-07
GOOD CITIZENSHIP
WORK OF THE CITY HISTORY CLUB
OF NEW YORK.

Ets Purpose to Inspire In the Young
an Interest In Their Town and It's
Governmental Members Essay ON
Citizenship.
Such an association as the History
club Of New York city could be or
gained in any town in the land and
would be Of great benefit to q commu-
nifty in many ways. The youthful mem
bers of this club take an interest in
their town, study its history and are
taught the duties and obligations Of a
good citizen, so that when they reach
their majority they will keep the gov
eminent pure and work for future gen.
erations. The City History Club Of
New York was founded by Mrs. Robert
Able in 1897, says the New York Her
aid. So successful has been the work
that now there are classes studying To-
cal history which also are cehters Of
civic interest, in settlements, missions,
boys clubs, probation and truant
schools, public schools and elsewhere
in all parts Of the city. Some Of the
boys who started as members of the
first classes have become voters, and
their acts as citizens are being followed
with deep interest by officers Of the
club, who hope to see the fruits Of good
citizenship resulting from the enlight-
eminent they have received through the
various departments of the City Histo-
ry club.
1--WE wished to inculcate the sentt-
ment of noblesse oblige," said Mrs.
Able recently. "As a boy might feel
who had an honorable family lineage
to live up to, SO we hoped would the
n who had a noble civic heritage.
"The work has broadened, and It's de-
mands have become SO great that we
need q larger and a better equipped
corps Of workers and funds to carry
forward the work as its character de-
mands. We have demonstrated our
working principle, that love Of what
was good in the city of yesterday fos-
tiers love and loyalty for the city of to-
day. Now we ask for broader cooper
alton and such financial support as
shall enable the club as q kindergarten
Of citizenship to realize its far reach
ing plans"
In order to interest the child in his
city and to educate his sense Of re-
sponsibility toward it a variety Of de-
vices are employed. 1t was found that
not only for the sake Of revenue, but
because that is more highly priced
which costs something, a small fee Is
imposed upon lessons, pictures, leaflets
whatever the child gets from the
club.
The badge costs 8 cents, and some
times it takes a child weeks to pay
for 1t, but when he owns it he cher
tshes 1t far more than he would If it
had been given to him.
Lessons are given in classes organic
ed as clubs and self governed. Each
member pays q penny a lesson and re-
ceives a book in which pictures are
pasted and under which stories are
written. Some pictures are given as
prizes for good stories; others are sup
piled at small cost. The children
themselves display the greatest zeal in
getting historical pictures. and they
are encouraged to do original work,
such as making maps and sketches.
Excursions to various points Of his
torical interest in and about the city
acquaint the children In a vivid and
practical manner with places and
events about which they have studied.
These take them to the city hall and
historic sites from Chambers to Wall
street, old Greenwich village, the Bow
cry and S~tuyvesants home, McGown's
pass and Central park, Van Cortlandt
park, Frances tavern and Dutch New
York, below Wall street. Guides also
are furnished by the club to take par
ties desiring to explore the historic
city under competent direction.
Reproductions Of quaint and valua-
bic old prints done on good paper are
furnished to members Of the club at a
trifing cost, and post cards represent
ing familiar localities as they appeared
a hundred years ago and more are a
feature Of the educational work.
An Italian boy thirteen years Of age
who's essay won a prize summarized
what he had learned from the City
History club about his duties as a citt-
zen in this fashion:
IF I want to be a good citizen I
must be true to my country, true to
my state and true to my city.
II must see that the street in front
Of my house is always clean, and I
must not let anybody throw paper on
the street anywhere.
6Tf T Az MT ro%o 7 --iYI ~ok ~ Soa-o
my duty. I must have my own judg-
ment to vote for the man I think Is
best qualified for the Office which he
has been nominated for. If I don't I
won't be doing my duty. I must not
let anybody bride me to vote for a man
I think not fitted for an Office.
"It will also be my duty to be indus
trious and self supporting so as not to
be a burden and a nuisance to the pub
lie.
eff I even work for the city I must
not charge too much for it. I must pay
taxes, so that the government can be
maintained and the officers Of the gov
is for my good, and if I am able 1
should contribute voluntarily for pub
lie improvements and public buildings.
l must myself keep all the ordinances
and report all those that break them.
When it is necessary / must help to
maintain order and always be ready
for public service and in case of war
serve my country as a private soldier
or an officer.
Il should cultivate a patriotic spirit
and be willing to sacrifice personal ad-
vantage to gain public good.
II should know the history Of my
country and be an intelligent reader
and a close observer of current events.
If l am a citizen Of the United States
/ shall be entitled to its protection and
its privileges"
The Baby's Way. J