The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1889-05-18
He Did Not Want MI. Edward
AhrenS to Be a Member
of the Carteret Club.
is THERE A WOMAN IN THE CASE:
Mr.. Ahrens' Name Three Times
Withdrawn--His Candidacy May
Split the Club.

The last of the clubs into whose ranks
discord has crept is the Carteret Club,
probably the most exclusive Of all, and
which has just taken possession of its
elegant new home on Bergen avenue.
The difficulty is over the admission of Ed
ward Ahrens, whose name had been pro-
posed for membership, not by President
Thurston as has been stated, but by Mr..
Edwards. The moment the proposition
was made, a violent opposition,
which is said to have been
led by John NJ. Jones, the Sip avenue
millionaire member of the club, was mani
Tested. Mr.. Thurston, though he had not
presented the name, became a warm
champion of Ahrens, and, contrary to his
usual custom, the Rev. E. L. Stoddard,
the rector of St. Johns Episcopal Church,
in the choir of which Mr.. Ahrens sings.
warmly urged the acceptance of the name.
A WOMAN IN THE CASE.
The exact nature of Mr.. Jones' oppesi-
tion could not be learned today Several
members who were interviewed refused
to furnish the facts to the reporters who
sought them. They admitted that it was
understood among the club members that
Jones and Ahrens had had words some
time ago about lady whom both knew,
between them dates from that time. Be
yond that their mouths were closed.
Jones was red hot in his opposition, and
he made the matter SO purely q personal
one that every one of the club who is on
intimate terms with him, espoused his
view of the case. A pretty even division
among the las members of the club was
the result of the contest, and the Mem
bership Committee hesitated to act,
but chose rather to refer the
question to the Governing Board.
The Governing Board, In view
about acting, and proposition was made
that the question be submitted to vote
of all the members of the club.
A CHANGE IN THE RULES.
This was rot possible without change
in the rules Convinced that they had
enough votes in the Governing Board to
beat Ahrens, the Jones party have made
as warm q contest against
a change in the rules as
The Governing Board had lively meet
ing Thursday night, and were unable to
reach a conclusion. Next Tuesday even
ing will be given to the consideration of
the question.
Edward Ahrens is probably thirty years
of age and lives on Fairview avenue, on
the Heights. He is associated with his
brothers and father in the conduct of a
large grocery business at No. T6 Dey
street, New York.
FOUR TIMES WITHDRAWN.
Mr.. John M. Jones was on his way to
the country when called at his place Of
business, No. 176 Duane street, this morn
ing. ,
His brother, MI. Frank Jones, was
there, though, and chatted pleasantly
with me for short time.
although member OF the Carteret
Club myself" said he, II know very lit
tie about the opposition to Mr.. Ahrens.
HE was proposed for membership by
Senator Edwards and vouched for by Mr..
Thurston. ai, 81 sjs.,.s.
"This is the fourth or fifth time his
name has come before the club. On every
previous occasion his name was withdrawn
before the Governing Committee could
act upon it.
"My brother has been made too promi-
nent in this affair.
HE was by no means alone in his oppo-
sition to Mr.. Ahrens.
''Ten or twelve members OF the club are
even more strongly opposed to him than
my brother" e,s.
Mr.. Edward Ahrens had gone on busi-
ness trip into Ocean county for few days
and his brother, Mr.. William G. Ahrens,
received me when I called at the store this
afternoon.
81 am not a member of the Carteret
Club he said. Eyes, I have read the
story of the opposition to my brother, and
tits apparently true can assign no rea- g
son for it, know nothing of the woman
in the case. I"
The Rev. E. L. Stoddard, rector of the
Summit Avenue Episcopal Church, in
whose choir Mr.. Ahrens sings, is not
member of the club, but he has a large
influence among the members and has
exerted it strongly in Ahrens' behalf.
1t is said that very many members of
the club have announced that if Ahrens'
name be rejected they will withdraw
from the club. Mr.. Ahrens is connected
with both the Palma and Jersey City
Athletic Clubs.