The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-12-23
NOT ABOVE REPRoACH.
Are There Men Among the 400 who
Would Carry OF Your Oyercoatp


NEW YORK, Dec. 22-It is very clear
that New York society, in spite of its alleged
exclusiveness, has allowed some characters
to enter its portals. Alexander Dumas, pere,
in one Of his later novels describes two
precious thieves who managed to palm
themselves Off as gentlemen and to secure
the entree TO the best drawing rooms of
Paris The New York debutante who has
read this romance has undoubtedly shrugged
her shoulders and smiled at the thought
that such thing would be impos, ,ible in
the gilded upper-crust of the American
metropolis. Yet, according to the most
prominent entertainers of the day, she is
mistaken. l do not pretend to state that
any society leader has admitted SO much in
words, but their actions reveal their
thoughts, and, as usual, speak louder than
language.
1t is both strange and ludicrous that, in
the society which hundreds of wealthy and
well-educated persons are clamoring to
enter, there shou d be members who can not
be trusted in a crowded psrlOr. That men
who look down upon ordinary NOR ais as
dross should be suspected of carrying off
loose articles of valne is state of affairs
which the everyday COM rehension finds it
difficult to master Yet it is true.
Else, why was st that Mr.. Cornelius Van
than three detectives disguised as gentle
men at his recent reception to Rev. Dr.
David w. Greerl Here was an aft air at
which the host ought to have felt secure of
1is guests If there ever was one in New
York. 1t was reception given in honor
Of new rector of St Bar hoo-
news church, that very high-tohed
place Of worship, and only gentle-
men were invited 1t is fair t. say that
Mr. fo 1
in society as elsewhere, did not 60 outside
of the list Of his own acquantances, and
surely great millionaire could hardly be
suspected of knowing blacklegl And,
mind you, he must have feared something
more than the accidental admission of q
single doubtful character, or he would
have had only one detective stationed
somewhere about the entrance hall to
scrutinize the arrivals
But not only we're there three but they
were actually put in full dress and allowed
to roam about, elbowing the most exclusive
of Mr.. McAllister's celebrated 400, and
drinking punch out of the same how'll is it
possible that we have come to thisa One
can hardly imagine tn anguish that such
calamity would have occ STONED our high
minded social leaders had they unfortun-
ately learned Of it at the time. -
| wonder what our mayor, the Hon
ADram D. EeWlIt, LHouSnb Oh lne presence
of his three subalterns in such unuSu ii uni
form. He was there and must have recog
nIzed the three faithful guardians of the
peoples welfare, for he knows tiiem
well. Yet, strange as it may seem,
Mr.. Vanderbilt's fear fer his loose
articles of value, his bejoutry and objects
dart, was entirely pardonable.f aud has
plenty Of pre- edent. While our native
society is reilly very respectable as COM
pared with society in cities of the old world,
yet there are foreign elements in it which,
while openly fattered and petted, are So
cretly viewed with suspicion.
Societies love for noble names, or rather,
for those which sound noble, has caused it
to accept at all times the alleged duke
earls, vIscounts, barons and so forth, many
of whom have not been above stealing UNI
brellas.
The Union League Club usually has a
dozen of Pinkeruon's men scattered through
its rooms in full dress suits at its receptions
and many hosts have done as Mr.. Wander
bilt did.