, 1884-07-13
THE CENTURY CLUB.
The Oldest of New York's Social
Organizations.
characteristics OF the Century Club
The Theory which Governs It
4 Somewhat Distinguished
Membership.
New York Cor. Chicago Tribunal

tinguished of all the clubs now extant. 1t Is
not fashionable in the ordinary sense, for
It's members are. us n rule, the reverse OF rich
and have little Of what is known as social
ambition. They claim, however, to be in
tellectual, cultured, and of artistic taste.
Indeed, II they had no such claim they would
not he qualified for membership, since it Is
specially an artistic an. literary organiza-
ton. 1t was founded nearly fifty years ago
as a sketch club, and remained such for some
time, all the Centurions, as they now call
themselves-their number was limited to 100
being artists, professional or amateur, or
persons Interested in art.
CHARACTERISTICS Oh I'll CENTURY.
As time went on and the city grew, the
membership was increased first to 200, then
to 800, finally 10 500, and literature was
added to art as a requirement Of the associa-
ton. There have bsen repeated efforts to
multiply the collective body by from 100 To
200; but the efforts have thus far proved in
eifectual. The organization is decidedly con-
s%ervatiye, and the officers and managers,
who attach no small Importance to its dig
nifty and distinction, bslieve justly that its
enlargement would lessen its honorable
ness and influence. 1t is one of the very
few clubs TINT are always full and al
ways have from loo to 200 applicants for ad-
mission. There are never more than eight
elections during the year, and only five men
can DO elected at one time, so that forty il
the greatest possible increase annually. And
this pre-supposes vacancies, which seldom
occur except by death. Forty members, or
anything like the number, nave never been
chosen, understand, in any year, save when
the body was augmented by one or two hun
drod. During the last eighteen months only
three new members have, l nm told, been
elected, which is exceptional, although the
average Of late is said to be less than twenty
u year.
The theory is that a man should have done
something TO entitle him to the distinction
of becoming a Centurion; negative qualities
not being sufficient. The theory Is often
false, for there are members who have in no
wise distinguished themselves. But it is
often true. Cyrus w. Field was elected long
ago because lie was so energetic and enter
prising in laying the first Atlantic cable;
Henry II. Gorringe, because he had success
fully brought over the Obellsk; Theodore
Roosevelt, because he had exposed official
corruption. Artists and authors of &c
knowledged reputation are elected on &C
count Of their achievements, as are scien-
tific men and professional men, including
lawyers, physicians, clergymen, and jour
nalists; the preference being given to artists,
literateurs, and scientists In the order of their
mention Publishers, bankers, brokers, and
merchants are also Centurions, but generally
for the reason that they have scholarly ac-
quirements, or artistic tastes, or are col
l%ectors. or are in some manner identified with
Intellectual or esthetic subjects. When a
man is proposed for the Century 1t is con-
sidered necessary that he should be some
thing more than O good fellow or a gentle
man. II he is not he is very likely to DO
dropped, which is not considered In the least
a discredit to him, but which cannot be
pleasant Scores OF good fellows and gentle
men are dropped every year, and men, too,
who are wholly eligible, owing to some cir
cuInStances or series Of circumstances for
which they are in no way responsible. There
are, Of course, various cliques, more or less
narrow and prejudiced, in the club, and this,
with the fact that there is a constant pressure
to get in, often causes unjust discrimination.
The worthiest may be declined aud the least
worthy accepted.
A DISTINGUISHED MEMBERSHIP.
George Bancroft. the historian. was presi-
dent while he lived here, and was succeeded
by William Cullen Bryant, who retained the
Office Until death. Daniel Huntington, au
artist of the old school, now holds the posi-
ton, and Augustus X. Macdonough, a lawyer
with literary predictions, Is secretary.
Most Of the noted artists, like Cropsey, Gift.
ford, Bierstadt, McEntee, the SMILES, Whit.
tredge, De Haas. Tiffany, B~ridgemap.
Quincy Ward, Launt Thompson, Richards,
are members, as are such literateurs and
journalists as Parke Goodwin, George Will
lam Curtis, Dudley Warner, r. Watson
Glider, Whitelaw Reid, Mark Twain,
Edwin l.. Godkin, Horace White,
William d. Howells, Stedman, Stod-
dard, aud Aldrich. The leading clergy
men, judges, professors, and savants,
and several actors-Edwin Booth, Lester
Wallack and Lawrence Barrett-are Centu-
rions. The club mus more distinguished mem
bers than any other half-dozen clubs conf
bined. One may find there genuine intelleo-
tual companionship, particularly the first
Saturday nights of each month, excluding
summer when generally receptions are given,
residents of the city being invited but once
annually. Then there is a supper but there
are no speeches and no formalities. New
pictures are also exhibited then, and
much mental and social enjoyment must bo
had. The club, which has a wine-room,
though no restaurant, is little frequented
save Saturday nights. Its library and read
ing-room are always open, and members
drop in during the day and evening; but,
save on special occasions, the attendance il
small.
The clubhouse, in Fifteenth street, east OF
roui'h avenue, puiit nnu ny inc century,
is now too small, inconvenient, and too far
downtown. There has been for years a
strong disposition to move but q two-thirds
vote is required for removal, and at every
meeting on the subject the ballots have fallen
a little short OF the number needed. The re-
moval, however, is only a question of time.
1t will naturally swell the expenses, and
probably lead TO an increase Of membership
or the annual dues, or both, to which the
conservatives are earnestly opposed. The
initiation fee is $780,, and the dues about $40,
less than those OF any of the leading clubs.