The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-14
FAKE SOCIAL CLUBS.

= . 49, ~ OA&4S S60OSs
Description Of the Devilish Dives
BY President of Board OF Charities
Editor OF The Times-D,spatch:
Sir,-I have noticed with much interest
your leading editorial last Sunday entitled
IA Menace to the Community" dealing
with the social club evil.
Ny work both at ST. Andrews and in
connection with the Associated Charities
OF the city has brought me into contact
with this evil In very practical way.
1t has become n very serious obstacle in
the religious and charitable work of the
city, and II appears to me that, with the
spirit of reform which Is among us ard
the evident desire for civic Improvement
and purity, now Is the time to arouse
public sentiment and secure legislation
which Will ensure the city at least q
measure of security against the present
conditions.
For some time past I have made a
limited personal investigation into tho
workings of the clubs and certain saloons
With social features, and lue effects they
produce upon the poorer families of the
cities. and have discovered few facts
which may help to solve the problem
which is before lH.
The charters of the social clubs are all
that can be desired. The ostensible pur-
pose is to establish benevolent and char
liable institutions throughout the CITY.
The fraternal spirit permeating these
charters is beautiful. Literary, musical
and social improvement are the CHIEF aim,
con- otned, in some of the charters. with
the laudable purpose oil tender care for
the families OF the poorer members In
fact. the verbal form of the charter
leaves nothing further to be desired.
But very careful inquiry into several of
these clubs reveals a very different state
OF affairs from that set forth in the
charter. There Is no reasonable doubt
that the true objects are drinking, gaming
and, in one or two instances, immortality:
minimum bar license, evasion OF the
law against gambling and absolute priva-
cy and secrecy, In some cases to indulge
eir the grossest lust. Instead of the fra
ternal care, influence is used to draw the
wage-earner of weak character into these
attractive dens and relieve him of the
weekly wage without Thought of the
needy wife md children at the forsaken
home. The vampire that draws away
the breath OF its victim Is In Il class
above the human vampire who saps the
manhood and the moral character of a
weak brother The regular bar pays a
license. State and city, of about S7OO and
Is required by law to close on Sunday
The social club. selling only to mem
bers %, has about 500 to pay, and does,
In many instances, more business between
Saturday and Monday than the regular
saloon does In the entire week The
membership fee OF the club is either
reduced so low Cor treated as Il mere
form that the bar OF the club is open
to any man who can pay for his drink.
/ understand that under the law gaming
cav f,,1, tt.
The limit is commonly reported to be $50
This is rarely observed. There is usually
no regard for the limit. Sunday is the
principal gambling day. There is more
leisure and more money In circulation
among the working men. For greater
security and pricacy. parties are made
up early Sunday morning and leave for
points near the city on the west. where
they gamble all day.
There are at least three places In the
acity-one social club and the other two
saloons. combining the social club feat
ures-where young girls and women are
taken and induced to drink and are often
ruined. There are private rooms, the sole
purpose OF which Is to effect the ruin of
the women brought there. These facts
are commonly known among the men
frequenting such places and also to the
police. The latter appear helpless under
the existing laws, but could be aroused on
occasion to Wyatt-lilie activity.
The effect OF these social clubs and
combination saloons upon the poor Is very
marked. The loss to the family of the
wages of the men produces q persistent
and incurable poverty. Evil environment
and loss of pride and self-respect steaday
and hopelessly pushes the family down.
The bright young boys and girls are taken
from school and put to work to save the
family from starvation. The weaker chill
dren get into an anaemc condition and
become the prey to sickness and chronic
diseases. Typhoid fever and tuberculosis
are becoming alarmingly prevalent. The
boys who are forced to sell papers at
eight and nine years of age lose their
becoming a class of illterates
There is no remedy for these conditions
but prevention and reconstruction. Char
ity and alms-glVing, however liberal, will
not cure this trouble. In fact, charity
retards improvement oftener than il helps.
There is no permanent help but construc-
ton and prevention. The sources of evil
must be removed and the family as
sisted to self-support and. self-sustainng
pride and respect. It Is for this that the
Associated Chart es was organ zed and for
this 1t will fight. We want Legislation
that will help us in our work and not
retard us. We want the public intelli-
gence and the public confidence,
THOMAS SEMMES,
President Of the Associated Charities Of
Richmond
Richmond Va. January 18th.
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