"The Working-Men's Club and Institute Union" have just completed a
two months' campaign in Yorkshire against the national vice of drunkenness, by attacking what they hold to be its principal cause,—viz., that workmen, needing, like other men, society and recreation after the day's labour, can find it nowhere but in the tap-room. The honorary secretary of the Union reports that the working-class leaders are everywhere heartily anxious to aid the movement, and he received numerous letters from workmen begging him to come among them. They, however, as yet form but a minority, and need the co-operation.of men of other classes, especially in finding the outlay required to lease and furnish premises which may effectually vie with the public-house in attractiveness. That they will ultimately do for themselves what is needed may be seen by the fact that at Liverpool and Leeds, the Trade Societies have combined to provide themselves with a hall and club for their business meetings, technical instruction, recreation, and the accommodation of members "on tramp." It is to be regretted that aid should be needed, but still it is needed, and may fairly be given.
Previous page
