The New York herald., 1870-01-09
CURIOsITIES OF CLUB LIFE,
Mr.. Batenlan rs the Champion Of Chi.
yalry-A Letter Of Resignation
Unackn0wledged.

Ihe Batcman-Crnnston controversy In regard 70 c
difference al the Manhattan Club some few evenings
ago - enc Of those social crurtions vlich break
Ing OUT, as they must necessarily do, once 10
while, create degree Of popular interest which Is
measured By the Importance OF those people most
nearly Interested In the question at issue.
Mr. II. l.. Bateman is 8 gentleman very generally
known, not alone To the ordinary public, but
through various matters easy OF recollection In tho
memory OF reading people as VINO has been
ever ready to resent unwarran,ed attempts
on the honor OF himself or OF anybody connected
with INN. The story OF the rumpus at the Manhat-
tan Club il sufficiently well knoNn-ao repetition
is herein needed. There points, however, In tbs
recent dispute which are worth alluding TO, rs
exhibiting the strange and anomalous manner in
which a "soclety OF gen.cmen' regulate tneT ways
of dong and acting
The following are few sections from the consti-
tuition OF the Manhattan Club, winch nave curious
bearing on the subject III controversy
Section OF the constitution, In regard TO "Admis-
sions,n says:-'.An votes conversations and debates
on the subject OF ADMISSIONS exclusions and expul-
sioas saall DO held by The committee IN honorable
secrecy"
section of tho bylaws:-'sNo member shall,
under any circumstances, d,yulgc those proceed
ings OF the committee wach by the constitution,
are required TO be held III honorable secrecy undor
penalty OF expulsion
Duties OF Members" says:-'Any member wishing
to resign shall make ms resignation to the secretary
IN wrilinpn
seccon . says:-"it snal be the duty OF every
member 10 pay all charges wnich he has incurred In
the club nouse before leaving it.n
MI. Batcnau ~ gentleman OF dignity and fntcll1-
gencc. TO the reporter Of this paper he communi-
Gated the entire details OF the runpu5 at the Club.
aud showed very conclusvely that Mr. Hiram
CranstOn was the person Who dragged the name and
character OF the Manhattan C!uD into this unenva-
ole disturbance. Mr. iiaeman - the last man N the
In which ms name mas been con5plcuou5ly men,
TONED. lie disclulns all attempt al .orcng lie soci-
ETY. OF his friends the club and tells smpie talo
OF taxing TWO gentlemen, Aessrs Butter and House,
to dine With him IN the restaurant OF the cub house.
Mr. Cranston shelteriug himself under the protecting
Tgls OF the club with snguiariy poo taste and
ardiy judgment. as II would appear look refuge from
public opinion IN the decision " ma1aging com
mIttee whose conclusions wers Illogical az their
! verdict was abrupt and unconslitunonal
II rs curious and significant iacr III connection
| with tnis matter thai ihe committee which aasen-
| bed ut the cluo room To decide the difference
between Mr. Bateinan aad hr. Cranston utterly
ignored the letter of resignation sent IN by r.Bate
man, and pleased iteu u conclude Ia verdict of
expulsion. Expulsion for sDch al onence or in fact
for any offence, IL never ractsed IN Europe; but
lnis instance the aggravaon OF the insult TO gen
temany and hlgl-mIndei member was anaccompa-
MED by any notice Whatever or the Investigation
which ended IN the eAcupat.on or Mir. Hiram Grams
tor.
The following letter OF resignation explains good
deal OF the adar:-
NEW YORK, Jan. Q, 1870
To THE SECRETARY AND MANAGING ConaIrrEg or
MANHATrAN CLuB:-
MISUNDERSTANDING been Informed that your
committee intends takins action as committee OF
investigation lhougn Lave received no oitlclal no.
tiacatlon TO that eifect) Upon recent circum-
stances which have transpred between Mr.. Crans-
ton and myself, and aS that investigation can have
nut the purpose OF nqur,n9 whether Mr. Cranston or
myself IS deserving % the Ieplenenslon OF the cup,
1 desire my own account 10 frankly admit
that, administering personal chastisenent to Mr..
Cransion, | Violated the understood comtieS OF the
club. beg that you WIZ believe however. that
resorted ~ that co,Hse most unwnugly and not
Until mad fully consincca myself taat Ar. Crans-
ton would not make the apology due To me. nor
aIord TO me ans opportunity 10 c0erce 1t from him.
When, therefore, 4 folnl 1t necessary to seek ihm
WITHIN the club mad made up my MIND to accept
any consequence tha. might ensge. and likewise 10
all the responsibilities as IA nember ol che club
that might result from II.
therefore, gentlenien respectfully tender y0u my
resignation as "A MEMBER Of tue Manhattan Cup, and
desire express IN tins connection my deep regret
that any circumstances shol,d nave arisen which
should force me, through II marked sense OF self
respect, TO pursue course nLlca LEADS 10 such u
separation. You VIII doubtless be able to under
ssanu however, how q man coGil. without under
yalulng the benefits Of your association. be lnducei
10 sacrlce them when he was quite ready 10 sacri-
lice life Itself lad AI. Cranssoa been man OF
courage.
remain. gentleman, very respectfully, your obe-
dent servant, II. l.. BATsMAN.