The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1879-06-26
An Absurd Custom Denounced

A number of Influential members"
of the Brooklyn Club recently held q
meeting, at which the system of what is
denominated creating" was denounced
in the most vigorous terms. A circular
was prepared for distribution among the
members Of the club, in which the
practice of treating was characterized as
tone of the most foolish, pernicious
habits that ever cursed society. 1t
probably originated during the period of
our frontier civilization, when our an.
cestors, snatching a few moments relax
ton from manual labor, met together
and discharged what they conceived to
be sort of rough-and-ready social obi
CATION, at the same time that they gave
their weary bodies needed rest and re-
freshment. Under the circumstances it
was natural and proper thing to do,
and they doubtless returned to their
toll both mentally and physically bene-
flied by it. But the custom should have
ceased when the surroundings changed,
and the fact that it has not is disgrace
to our boosted civilization"
The gentlemen responsible for this
circular make the points that the system
complained of is pernicious, for the rea-
sors:
/. That it encourages excessive drink.
ing.
,. That it encourages II spirit OF recl,-
lcssness and improvidence.
>. 1t encourages Sitting around.
4. 1t practically depriyes a man of one
of his most sacred rights, viz: that of
selecting his own associates.
5. 1t leads to extravagant and loose
habits of conversation.
While it may be true, as stated, that
those engaged in this movement have
taken action entirely supertuous as far
as they are concerned, still the stand
they take in behalf of their fellow-man
deserves consideration. The habit OF
treating indiscriminately is undoubtedly
absurd, but as it is peculiarly an out
growth of the social conditions of this
country,'it will not be abandoned readily.
The New Yorker abroad who finds
that he is able to place himself en- rap
port with stranger through the medium
of social glass, will be apt to regard
this movement of the Brooklyn club
men with anything but favor
Among such clubs as the Brooklyn,
however, the anti-treating movement is
likely to receive cordial support. But
before it makes any Roadway in the
hotels and saloons of the country Il new
style of bar will have to be introduced
"A bar with box stalls, in which Brown,
who has been treated Il thousand times
by Jones. NAV unseen take his solitary
drink without exciting the enmity of the
latter.
That the members of the Brooklyn
Club are dead in earnest is demonstrated
by the closing paragraph of the circular,
in which they
beg to suggest that the list now in
possession of the steward in which the
signer pledges himself not to drink at
any one else's expense, and not to ask
anybody to drink at his expense, be
signed by all the members who are de-
sirous OF seeing this vicious and absurd
custom done away with.
1t is to be hoped that the Anti-Treat-
ing Club will not meet with the same
fate that befel the society the members
of which pledged themselves not to drink
until asked None of the members were
asked to drink, whereupon the society
disbanded. - New York Star.