Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-10

she is young, out In tne
ripeness Of wears and discretion.
Heretofore we have had some clubs that
were able to elbow on terms of equality, al
least in some respects, the Oldest in the land,
for instance the Duquesne, notwithstanding
DR.. Hays estimate of it, but they were not
many, and but small percentage of our
population belonged to them. Now, how
ever, they are springIng up on every hand
and some of them are, or will be in short
time, equipped with almost Oriental prodi-
gality and with infinitely more comfort.
CLUB LIFE.
There is a general trend socially, musi-
cally and politically at present toward club
life The Randall Club and the County
Democracy are both preparing for an exist
ence combining elegance and taste with
politics, and they will rival in equipment, it
is said, their wealthier neighbors, the
Americus and the Young Mems Republican
Tariff clubs, on the other side of the politi-
cal house.
The Americus club has several sites in
view, and all that is left to be determined is
the scale of grandeur on which it will build.
One party thinks an expenditure Of $40, 900
or S50, 900 will be ample, while another
favors an outlay of SIS, 600 or 500, 900, and
when a compromise or a surrender is effected
active operations will begin. The sites in
view are all in the lower part of the city.
The Young Mems Republican Tariff Club
will, on April 1, take possession of the
building belonging to the late DIR. Gallaher,
on Sixth avenue, and it will be made a
vision of beauty with consolation for those
whose natures require something more sub
stantial than the aesthetic.
The Frohsinn musical organization, which
Is so well known in the musical and social
world that it needs no introduction, has Sc
cured new quarters at No. S05 Penn avenue.
WHY CLUBS INCREASE.
This development of love for club life is
pregnant with suggestions. As remarked
by Mr.. c. F. jain, it is doubtless primarily
owing to the large increase of wealth in
late years, enabling men to enjoy them
selves better than formerly, and in the end
more cheaply. A dinner can be furnished
to a member of club for half dollar that
would cost him otherwise a dollar, and if
he wish to indulge his appetite to a greater
degree than implied by that outlay he can
do it at a relatively decreased cost.
But there are a number of reasons that
may be assigned. In the first place the
Brooks high license law has diminished the
QTlukeTS
have not diminished in proportion, the
comforts of the saloon have been decreased
so that in many places where art, science,
music, politics, etc., might once have been
discussed freely, there is now scant oppor-
Uunity on account of crowding so that dis
cussers must either hold their tongues or
"hire hall"
CLUBS SUPERSEDING SALOONS.
Then there is possible danger that prohi-
bition will win and the saloon must go, and
only the club can take its place.
All nations seem to have found and still
find it necessary to have loafng places
when satiated with home delights, and
while women may find the high tea, or the
sewing circle or missionary meeting suffi-
cient, men generally want some other kind
of diversion.
According to St. Paul, the Greeks
met in public places to hear everv
new thing and to talk about it. The
Roman of leisure spent considerable por-
ton of his time in the bath Modern
French and Germans sing, talk art, or
music, or politics, make love or chatter
amiably or otherwise over a glass of wine
or beer. The Englishman has for centuries
enjoyed himself and taken ''his ease in his
inn,
Where village statesmen talked with looks
profound.
And Iews much older than their ale went
round.
-HE wARMEST WELCOME.
Shenstone complained that
Who'er has Travelled life's dull round,
Where'er his cages may have been,
May sigh to think he etill has found
The warmest welcome at an inn.
But while the miscellaneous gathering of
people in the drinking saloon may conduce
to mental as well as social pleasure in En-
gland, France and Germany, the saloon of
that type is an exotic in the country.
There is yet too much hetorogeneity
add democracy in the gathering to allow
il to be a disseminator of culture, and so
far it is claimed to be more of nursery for
q certain kind of politicians than a moral,
mental or real culture lift, and those who
wish to choose their company are becoming
more and more in favor of the club. though
their reasons for liking it may be diver
gent.
Before A. D. 1860 those of us vino live
will have an opportunity to form an esti-
mate of the merits or dement's of club life,
in the rural districts the church still largely
supplies the place of club and thester, but
it would seem that cities want extended
eoo;a1