The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-01-16

Commodore Vanderbilt's Wiil-Rich Fifth
Avenue Boys Editorial "Reminiscences
Editors and Duels - New Journal-Lec-
turing Editors, etc.
NEW York, Jan. 12i 1877.
The Bennett aud May flacus has drawn
attention to the Union club, # which the
former wa4 leading member. The pres
ent reports concerning the duel are not TO
be depended on, nor can any one outside OF
the contending parties give correct state
ment. It is said by some who ought to
know, that Bennett, when intoxicated,
made remarks in the club of character
disrespectful to the young lady, which the
brother naturally resented. Whatever be
the cause of the blow inflicted on Bennett,
it carries q stigma which only duel can
remove-that is according 10 the laws Of
who distinguished himself at the battle Of
Resaca dc la Palms. Bennett, however,
has never included pistol practice among
his many accomplishments, and his chances
in a hostile meeting would be very small.
Only two practical duelists are LETT in this
city. One is August Belmont, who was
slightly wounded in the leg about 80 years
ago, and has never recovered from the
limp. The other is James Watson Webb,
who challenged Tom Marshall in 1915, and
who was also wounded in the leg. lie was
afterward indicted for violating the statute
against dueiDg, and would have been sent
to state prison had not Gov. Seward par
doned him.
THE UNION CLUB.
Mr. Bennott's last appearance in public
was in front of this institution, which is
the Oldest of the kind in this city. 1t was
organized 40 yeais ago, and was immediate
ly successful. Within the last decade it
has been patronized by many of the wealthy
young men Of fast habits, the jeunesse dore
who know how TO spend money aud can
make club house ring with their Olym-
plan revelry. The present bIilding was
erected twenty-five years ago, and has since
then been improved and partially remod-
elled It's location is unsurpassed ia this
city, the front on Fifth avenue being sixty
three feet, while the depth on Twenty-flrst
street Is double that extent The number
of the club is limited to 1000 Its control
is vested in Il committee of twenty-four,
who elect three trustees to hold the prop
erly. The imitation fee is $500, and the
yearly dues are SO. The number Of the
club is now full, and there are many can
didates awaiting vacancies, so that had
Bennett been shot his place would soon be
Allcl.
WHAT IT COSTS.
The club house is worth S350,00O. Other
items, such as coal, gas, etc, swell the out
lay to such an amount that 100000 will
hardly cover it. This is large sum when
one considers that dinner, wines, ETC., are
all extra. In fact all you get is the priv
ilege of being known as club man, and
having place to lounge. The doors are
open from 8 o'clock in the morning till
midnight The kitchen is on the fourth
floor, being CiTcctly above the dining-room.
There Is a luxurious smOking-room, card
room, Teading-room and all the apartments
that can attract the rich, but the influence
of such an institution tends to unfit men
for domestic life Clubs are the worst
foes to that condition which develop mans
better nature. There are, of course, eX-
ceptions to so broad an opinion, but re-
fer TO the general influence of such institu-
uons. The oldest member of the Union
club is Moses IL. Grnnel, who was its
president for several years. To widower,
in the increasing solitude Of old age, club
may be suitable retreat, but for young men
the case is very different. The Union club
is mortgaged to the Equitable life insurance
company for $4,000, and it is doubtful if
this be ever paid. An institution which
cannot remove such an encumbrance on an
income of 100000 can hardly be said to
be very prosperous.
THAT WILL.
The commodores will does not differ
greatly from expectation. 1t was said that
he had on the wedding day promised his
wife million, Well, she gets very nearly
that amount. 1t was also said that viii
liam would inherit the largest part of the
grand estate, and this, too, has been full
filled 1t is a serious question whether the
son, Cornelius, will not attempt TO break
the will. Ills share ia certainly very small
compared with the $50, 900, 600 which goes
to William and his sons. We may remem-
Der that John Mason (who was the A. II,
Stewart of his day placed one of his sons
under special limitations, and the result