New-York tribune., 1885-01-07
PRICE THREE CENTS
HOW PLYMOUTH PEWS SOLD.
A FALLING OFF OF NEARLY $1,000.

MR.. BEECHER SAYS 1T WAS TIGHT SQUEEZE ~.
A LARGER DECREASE EXPECTED.
We've had tight squeeze but We pulled
through" said Mr.. Beecher as a genial smile
lighted his face fast evening after the annual
ton sale of pews in Plymouth Church He had
reason to be pleased, tor the falling off in tho
amount of premiums received only $780,
whereas his hearty supporters had estimated it at
from $4,000 to $4,000. THE result IS better
than expected" said Horace b. Clail;n. The total
amount received was $2s, ,O36. compared to $34, IT'S
i'll 1888. showing decrease of So 739, or about 20
per cent.
There was an effort az the opening to make tho
bidding lively, and the first premium was run up to
$500 by X. I. Bush and II. b. Clanin, but no other
extraordinary bid was made, and the number Of
those paying over 5000 was smaller than
last year, when thirty-two persons paid between
$500 and $500, the latter sum being the highest
bid. Last evening there were only fourteen bids
over 5000 While most of the prominent names
among the bidders In former years appear in tho
list this year, some are conspicqously
absent. Among them are s. u. Dur
yea, who paid $500 last year Charles
Dennis, who paid $3.50; Mr. Southwick, who paid
$235; and J. c.. Wemple, II. N. Whitney, 8. NJ.
Griswold and Dr. Conkling
Among the prominent Republicans who boughA
peWS were .. V. w iltt tnc VI tuc Didiuo
parade in Brooklyn; w. G. Vosburg, treasurer OF
the Republican Campaign Committee; W. II. Will
Jams, president of the Brooklyn Young Republican
Club; Henry L. Pratt, E. A. Seccomb. David s.
Arn0tt. +. c. Marvel, and Aaron Peck. Nearly all
of them, however, paid less than last year. Tho
only new names among the bidders for high-prIced
pews were Henry Hentz, of the Cotton Exchange,
and Wecbsler g. Abraham the dry-goOds dealers.
A GLOOMY GArHERING-MR. BEECHER's REMARKS.
A subdued murmur of conversation filed the
church, while tho people, filling about half tho
seats waited for the auction to begiu.
Most off the prominent members were present, and
many women ventured out despite the sloppy
| streets. I'VE always have the worst weather Of
the season for the sae," said an old member. Mr.
Beechcr went about among those present, but his
smile was somewhat forced Many of the audience
looked anxious as if they felt that crisis in the
affairs of the church was at hand. But after the
| worst was known many Of the faces looked less
| gloomy.
| ported by s. V. White and II. B. Claflin walked TO
! the pulpit where Auctoneer f. T.. Hoyt had taken
| his stand. There was mild applause as they ap-
peared. Mr.. Beecher said
congratulate myself and congratulate you this
auspicous evening which all good men long for all the
we have selected two handsome turning to Messrs
White and Clahn] to SIT on the platform. iaughter
tions of the sale will be read to you by veteran
for many years Nothing need be said about the
weather have that bad for this sale right along
IL must be that you will example 10 the world
the oomier and stormier It s the more your virtue
and faith will loom and In spite OF wind and storm
you will come out always
THE BIDDING BEGUN.
| Mr. Royt read the usual terms of sale and an
nounced that beside pew No. 81, reserved for Mr.
Beecher and No. 40 for Mr.. Halliday, the trustees
would reserve the pews back OF the choir:seats On
the right side of the church. He then called for
bids. "25O" said S. V. White, quickly. 5000" re-
sponded H. b. Clafiin. 1925" said X; I. Busn
| linen Mr. CIallin went mp to $3.50 Mr.. White Of
| fered 1915, and Mr. Bush came IN with 800 it
was raised again by $25 bids by each of the three,
and then Mr. White ceased TO call. aud got up and
| slowly left the platform. Mir. Bush aud Ar Cla1n
| kept at it, however amid much excitement. After
| $500 had been reached, the audience appauded,
but neither bidder seemed willing TO give way TO
the other. The friendly contest went on, Dir.
quarters quarter TO 10 Mr. Bnsh's bids of tho
even hundreds and ffties. Finally Mr. ciaiiin
| called seven and three quarters and Mr.. Bush
| capped it with =" 500" Mr. Clafin gave up aud
sail My friend bids well. let HIM have it,"
| and Mr. Bush took the first choice, selecting pew
No. 81, of which the rental is Sl10. lie paid $500
premium for the came last year,
Mr. Claf,ln bid 5000 tor the second choice, and no
| one opposed him. lie took nus old pew. for
which he paid S575 last year as first choice. s v.
| White took his old pew for $3.50 $50 less than
pew at sos yaS haa he S paid G @ the
/
| same pew last year. s. B. Duryea, who paid $500
| for the third choice last year. did not bid at all.
| o. A. eager. " no paid $500 last year. bid 1850
for the next choice Only one more pew sold lor
| over $500, and Aaron Heaey took that at $32j.
which was $25 more than he paid IN 1851.
The next eight pews sold for over 500, and
! forty-ive for 800 or over. The hIst forty
| pews realized about $1,000 less than in
| 1854. Within an hour the premiums amounted 70
| only 800 and in little more than two hours all
but sixty pews had been sold at premiums OF ~ or
| more number were then selected at the liked
rentals About forty pews were unsod and tho
clerks of the trustees will let them TO any who DO
sire them. according TO the usual custom.
TOTAL LESS THAN IN TwENIY-lHREE YEARS.
Owing TO the taking out of few pews in the
gallery the fixed rentals this year amount to
$l2,66s. The premiums bId last night aggregated
Sl5.36S, making total OF $2o,O36. This
smaller than IN any year since 1862,
when tho amount S22.603 Tho
largest amount In any year was In loI0-the year
of the tral-when il SGs,997. In the hino
years from Sos to 1877 the reyenuesof the church
from the pews over 900 each year. Since
1877 there has been gradual decline as lollews:
1877 S45, ,S25; 1873, $3s ,06S; 1879, Sil,300;
1880 $4O,422; 1881, $l23fi: 1882, S3s,3lO'
1888, $37, ,09S 1884, 1884, .775 1885, s2sO30.
THE HIGHEST BIDDERS.
The folio wing table shows tho bidders who paid
5000 or over for their choice of seats:
Nam, Pew No. Rental Premium.