New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-17
NAT GooDWIY "BLACKBALLED."
HE WAS REJECTED BY THE PLAYERS CLUB
AND SAYS THAT ROBERT G. INGERsoLL
AND MAURICE BARRYMORE SUI
FEREp THE SAME FATE.

AND MAUKlCE BAfsisi MIMI SUI
FERED THE SAME FATE.
One OF the recent confidential, haveyou-heard y
"youdon rumors OF club gossip has had 1t that
Nat c. Goodwin, the comedian, sought admission TO
the Players Club and was "blackbalcd' Mr. Good
wins friends much surprised and the story went
that he hurt and gTieved. Mr.. Goodwin has ire
quently, when In town, given his services at the
benefits Of the Actors Fund; and when he wasn't on
the bill at the performance fortnight ago his acquaint
ances, putting two and two together, concluded that
he had not appeared because he was indignant at the
acton OF the Players Club. They were right
Tribune reporter asked Mr.. Goodwin last evening.
point blank. II he had been "blacKoaled"
Mr. Goodwin was in his dressing
at the Bjou Theatre, wearing the appearance OF the
Nominee but the everyday smile of Matt Goodwin
lie said cheerfully that he hadn't been "blackbaed
because they didn't use backballs at the Players
Club. They did it some other way, and sure enough,
he had been dropped from the list of candidates.
But the admission to the club hadn't been OF his
seeking "Comel" he sald Pm tell you all about 1t.
"When the Players Club was started 1 received a
circular from the organizing committee soliciting my
membership. looked over 1t and that was all. AS
did not think there many players belonging to
the club and as travel great deal, could not see
where the benefits of the club came in. l came to
New York some time afterward and met a lot Of my
friends. l member of the Lambs Club, the New
York Athletic Club, and have Just been elected a
member OF the Manhattan and belong to four or hve
other minor clubs. number Of my frends-they
happen to be obscure actors and they shall be name
less-sald: why don't You join the Players Clubi
We would be delighted to have your name
60 up said very well; If you boys belong to 1t,
should only be too delighted dismissed the matter
from my mind. Months afterward, when l had for
gotten all about this incident, friend OF mne Of.
Newton, a member of the Players invited me around
TO supper at the Players club. This was four or iVe
weeks ago. / should certainly not have gone to tho
club If had known that had been refused admttance
to 1t, and 1t placed in most embarrassing position,
Don't you soc it did, On the evening went there
was told during conversation that my name had been
quietly dropped. They don't blackban anybody
there, far as / can gather. l found ouU
that admission to membership is controlled by
board Of directors; not by popular VOTE
Speaking further on the subject, Mr.. Goodwin SAID
that fifteen years ago wellknown manager and
member of the Players Club, engaged his wife Eliza
Woathersby, and himself to play at Booths Theatre.
At that time Mr.. Goodwin was nineteen years CID.
81 asked him. he said, for two weeks salary Ia
advance. lie Immediately fired me out OF his Office,
and has spoken to since lie has never Tor
given me for asdng for enough money to BUY y, my my
Players Club when my name went up, and unnouDC
eddy took my name off the list Of eligible candldat,s
was dropped along with Robert g. Ingersoll Maurice
Barrymore and several other men with whose names
would be glad 70 have mine associated d: c,r,, was
the night when / went there ~ supper, and Was
more grossly insulted than ever was In my lie.
A res hS S wSo az tat Time THOUGHT was member
OF the club judging him simply by his conduct used
tolerated in any other club in New-York and re
ceived the same protection from the members OF Intt
dropPed on,v objection tn.. have 10 being arouDea
by the Players Club is that it bears the name Of
players / have been player for the last seven
teen years. and have done as much toward the sd-
vancement OF charitable work as any player who
occupies a position like mine today"