New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-15
DIR BIG SISTER CITY.
AFFAIRS I'M BROOKLYN.
NJ Hold an Inquest Case of Victim Faith CureAlmost
deserted Navy Yard-What Is Going n Among
Houses-Items Interest.
AMONG THE CLUB-HOUSES.
TWO EXAMPLES OF A SPECIAL TYPE.
THOSE ORGANIZATIONS WHICH ARE NOT BUILD
ING FEEL THE NEED OF NEW HOMES.
THE COLUMBIAN AND THE
ROYAL ARCANUM.

THE COLUMBIAN AND THE
ROYAL ARCANUM.
The rapid development of the club spirit and
| consequently Of the club life of Brooklyn
shown by the large amount of costly building
! and rebuilding in which several of the leading
! organizations are engaged is evident enough TO
| the most casual observer of the city's affairs,
! and of the clubs not so engaged it may be said
! that their homes are essentially new, only enc
| of them the Hamilton, with its recently con-
structed house. having existed in its present shape
| for more than three years. A significant illustra-
| ton of the expansion which has taken place in
( the club life in the city is TO be found in the
! steady increase both in members and prosperity,
/ of those social clubs which are the outgrowth
! of what may be termed special-class" interests.
! Two cubs which forcibly excmplify this fact
are the Columbian and the Royal Arcanum.
This is cmphatcally the case with the
/ Columbian. whose clubhouse is at Clinton and
Joralcmon sts. Although the club is just as
much a social one as the Hamilton or the Brooklyn
! the first requirement. for admission is that one
| should be ii member Of the Catholic Church.
In this respect it is like its prototype the Catholic
! Club of Ncw-Yorl. 1t must not be supposed,
however that those who not OF this
faith arc excluded from the clubhouse,
for they arc always welcome guests. Its founder
was the Rev. ID. w. Mccarthy. pastor of st.
Augustines Church at Bergen.st. and Flfth-ave..
and he is still afIectionately remembered by the
title of honorary president His idea was to get
young men who members of the Cathohc
Church together and give them a place where they
could meet for social enjoyment. The club was
organized in October, 1881, with twenty members.
In the spring of 1882 it rented house IN
Gallatin Place, and had forty-ive regularly in
stalled members at its housewarming. 1t stayed
there two years. and then moved to its present
abode. 1t now has "a members, and at every
meeting numerous additions are being made to the
list
The directors and officers are: P. II. Goodwin,
president; Joseph Slevn, vice.president; Thomas
H. Yorke, treasurer; Frank n. Lang financial
secretary and James J. Kerwin John l.. McCabe,
b. j. Yorke, William j. Kentler George b. John
son, Arnold Francioh, r. F. Downing, Richard
Bachi, l.. T. Bodkir, f.. J. Heating Il. j. Dough.
erty, James Cassidy and Charles a. Hoyt, di-
rectors The house committee consists of Arnold
Francoli, chairman; James j. Kerwin Richard
Bachi and George b. Johnson The entertain
ment committee is composed of Bernard D.
Yolke, chairman James Slevin, William
j. Kentler, r. F. Downing, and T. n. Lang.
During the coming season the committees expect
to be busy enough. AS heretofore, the cluo eA-
pect to give u number of entertainments on their
club ght. which is Saturday, and several ladies'
receptions. The Entertainment Committee must
rack their brain for novelties for the Saturday
evening affairs. Last winter Andrew Mclean,
Editor of The Citizen" read an orr ginal essay
on American poetry which was thoroughly enjoyed
The clubhouse is four-story building that
was originally a dwelling. On the ground floor
is the cafe and the smoking the second floor
being given up TO the parlor and reading-room.
The third floor contains the billiard and card
rooms and the fourth is given up to the use of
the steward. These accommodations, which were
ample for the clubs at one time. have become
altogether insufficient. Many of their receptions
they are obliged TO limit TO members only for that
reason. This led to great deal of earnest talk
last spring on the subject of building suitable
clubhouse. as the other clubs are doing. This
winter il seems if the project would take
definite shape The finances of the organization
are in a flourishng condition. and it is gaining |
new members at every meeting from the best social
element among the Catholics of the city.
The Royal Arcanum is a club with shorter |
but none the less prosperous career than the |
COlum ban. There are $4,000 members OF the |
order in New-Y ork State, and 5000 in NewYor.l |
City and Brooklyn. Only members Of the order |
are eligible for membership, but it will be seen |
has occupied Its present home, No. So Living
ston-st, which 1t owns in fee simple, since Aug
ust ! 8sS. All OF its members belong to the order,
but 1t IS free enough IN it's hospitality TO those
who are not members. And all members OF
the order in good standing are also cordially !
welcome II they make their identity known.
The officers of the club since the annual cleo
tion held last Nav are: John \. fltchetL nresl,,
dent g. Bailey. first Vice-DreSidenl: Dr. ward
Pardee second Vice-DreSdent: J. d. Dixon. treas
urer and George q. Barnard. secrctafV The
president. the treasurer and the secretary are eA-
oflici0 members of the Board of Directors. whose
other seven members arc Il. Tyson White,
j. B Van Brunt, j. a. Grudchos, president OF the
Kessler and S. Firuskl. The House Conmlttee
is made up of j. A. Grudchos; chairman j. Is.
Contrary TO the rule which prevails in MANY other
societies the president of the club is not neces-
sarilv the chairman of the Board of Directors,
which elects its own presiding officer. ~ in the
case of the other BROOKLYN climbs. SATURDAY even
ing is looked distnctlvelv club night;
There is ALWAYS an entertainment OF some KIND
and il is ALWAYS well attended. 1t Is mghiy
probable that there will he three ladies receD-
lions during the coming winter instead OF two,
rs was the case last season. and that the even
ing instead of the afternoon Will be selected Tor
Like the other growing clubs the Royal Ar
,anum find their present quarters too limited.
There is considerable talk among the members
Of buving new house ana q laI ger one on some
desirable corner near the City Hall, and remodel
ing il 10 suit themselves If tie membership list
keeps on growing at its present rate the club VIII
be able to build according to their own ideas;
Now that il is no longer possible to join the Rid
ng and Driving Club the Board OF Directors are
leluged with applications from those who wish
20 become members. The certificates of the pro-
orietary members, which are transferable under
certain conditions, cost them $780, but $3.50 has
been already bid by those who wish to get in.
So far as can be learned the directors, with the
learty approval Of the members, still adhere 10 !
her determination to keep to the original limit
II 300. 1t seems more than probable, however,
hat some way will be found to permit the diSap-
pointed applicants TO make use OF the advantages ,
# the clubhouse
THE WEEE A rr