New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-23
JEALOUSY WAS THE CAUSE.
STRIFE OVER THE CENTENNIAL BALL.
A MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE TELLS WHAT
CAUSED THE oAUsTIo LETTERS
THE nyrn r,IETa

MEMBER OF THE COMMITTEE TELLS "N1A
CAUSED THE oAUsTIo LETTERs-
THE Two LISTS
The publication yesterday OF extracts from the spicy
correspondence between Stuyvesant Fish and Ward
MeAllister the former chairman and tho latter q
member OF the Entertainment Committee having In
charge the ARRANGEMENTS for the Centennial Ball. 10 be
given on the night Of April %, created more than
ripple Of interest among those most directly Interested
and was the Of bringing out additional facts con-
corning the unfortunate dissonsons that have been
created by Jealous nvalres among tho numerous COM
mitteemen and their families. One OF the members
Of the General Committee who has kept aloof from the
contending factions agreed yesterday TO tell Tribune
reporter the exact situation of affairs on condition
that he should not be drawn into controversy OS
having his name made public.
The first trouble arose. he sainA when Mt. NO
Aster was selected as manager Of the bah and Dan
quet Although large majority OF tho memben OF
the COMMITTEES were In favor OF having him assume
control of the thousand and one trying details OIL ar
ranging for these affairs of great magnitude there was
an element OF opposition. The majority coneehneo
that Mr. McAlliser had had wide experience In ar
ranging the details Of large social gatherings that his
extended acquaintance and high standing in the COM
munty qualified him for the post Of manager and that
hts Acknowledged tact could be depended upon TO
carry the ball and banquet successfully through
These the friends Of Mr. McAlster, wore disposed 10
give him complete control, feeling that the matters
entrusted TO him were In entirely competent hands
and that thero would be no need OF their botherinB
their heads any further concerning them.
"on the other hand, the minority claimed that the
post Of manager should be given to gentleman Oh
distnctively National reputation, rather than to ono
identified more particularly with tho society Oh INC
metropolis alone, no matter what his Quanneauohs
might be- 1t was argued that Mr. MoAllister oe'hg
placed IN absolute control, would allow his PERSONAL
auIa fhaa
should act merely tho advisor Of the committed 70
whom all final action should be submitted for approval
The majority contendcd that the opponents OF Mr. NC
Alster desired 10 SUPPRESS him so as 20 further eH
own onds and the minority maintained that Mr. NC
Allisters friends were Indifferent to tho success Oh
tho bah and banquet, and, IN fact being too lazy 20
do any work themselves trying TO shift 1t al OH
upon one man. Mr.. McAllsters appointment vas
confirmed with very slight opposition, however, when
It came 10 q vote in the committee.
THE FIRST LIST OF NAMES.
az Some time In February Mr. McAlister submitted
TO the committee list containing the names OF sixteen
prominent ladies, who, he recommended. should DC
invited TO take part In the historical opening Quadre
Of tho ball All Of them were qualified by ancestry
10 take part In the dance, and their participation would
give 10 the quadrle the desired historical significance
In some way these names wero made public before
the list was approved by the committee Chairman
Fish at once wrote 70 Mr.. McAlhster, charging him
with having betrayed Che confidence of the oomnieee
IN allowing the names 10 be made public; with having
exceeded HIS authority in 80 doing, and warning him
not to lot IL occur again Tho letter was rsther
caustic and It provoked reply In similar strain
Mr. McAlilster repudiated Mr.. Fishs authority to
dictate 70 or admonlsh him, and requested him not
10 write another such letter Incidentally, Mr..
McAIister denied that he had made the names public
but he expressed his surprise that so much petence
OF secrecy was being made. The ball was TO DC
public and Its expenses were TO DO PAID, a. ieast
partly by the people In view of this fact no could
not understand why the committee should ACT As II
engaged IN dark conspiracy.
THE publication OF the List under consideration
by the committee, however, did create no end OF
trouble The ladies whose names had been mentohea
had not yet been invited 20 take part, ana
was not likely that all o. them "uud
be approved, for the reason that some OF me COM
mitteemen were making hot fight 70 have the names
~ their own wives and friends substituted for those
submitted by Mr.. McAnster. OF course, after the
list was published those whose names appeared eA-
pected to be invited and the friends Of Mr. helstef
and he himself urged that DO honorable course was
snen oRSh tnr wes number OF ladies whose hns
bands were members OF tho committee, who were
Who had eSDected 70 be invited because Of the con
neoiion Of their I0re and masters with me conimtHe.
In order 20 prevent an out & y,
nave tbs st revised when this determination was
N6rG naturally Ahose NDOSo
reared waxed exceedingly wroth. because each icsrea
that her name might DO substituted Tor that OF some
one else Then the husbands OF the ladies whose names
had appeared began gallant struggle In their behalf
In short it became contest between the 'keten-
uontes' and the Substitutionites.' That the srug-
Gle has been earnest even 10 tho verge OF bitterness
Il well known. Tho results. arc that numerous long
standing friendships have been broken, cordial re-
iauons between families ruptured and no end OF heart
burns and jealousles have sprung up
TRYING TO HEAL TEE WOUNDS.
sTho struggle is over far as the action OF the
committee Is concerned Tho list revised with
honors about evenly divided between the contendng
factions Tho new list was given TO Mr. MeAllister,
and he was Instructed 70 invite the ladies' whose names
were upon IT, This was several days ago, but no
report has yet been made to the committee as to The
acceptances or dscllnatons. II is unfortunate that
ARRANGEMENTS have been caused, particularly because
tho names on either tho first or the second list are
of ladies whose presence in the historical DANCE would
honor the occasion. In point Of merit there is no
difference In the two lists. One Is as good rs the
other and to have prepared either would have fe-
quired fine discrimination on the part OF any man
/" Now that the list has been finally decideo upon
the committeeman may 60 10 WORK 10 repair me oSi.
aVed relations among their families and friends AZ
a1y rate IL may DO depended upon that the ball ana
BANQUET will DO the most magnificent affair OF the
kind In the history OF tho country Their success Ia
already assured As far as the controversy between
probably 20 no further Both gentlemen have
many friends and Mr.. McAlllster will achieve ad,
dltional renown the controlling spirit In the most
uf1anfie soclaI affair tho country has Known