The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-12-11

Inc Ailh-
The Alta is the Oldest, largest and most
pretentious of these local organizations.
Prior to 1883 the city had no club worthy
of the name, but in that year a few promi-
nent citizens got together and discussed
the advisability Of organizing. The idea
met with favor, and committee of ten was
appointed TO solicit members. This was
an easy task, and one hundred names were
soon enrolled, and permanent organiza-
ton WAS effected, with w. J. Mccormick
as president. Others who were prominent
IN the movement were Q. r. Barrett, G.
L, Haines, j. s. Dolly, Joab Lawrence.
Richard Macintosh, and Harry G. HILL
The entrance fee was fixed at 500, with
50 monthly dues, but three years ago, after
considerable opposition on the part of some
Of the older members, the entrance fee
was doubled. It is now proposed TO reduce
ii to the old figure. The Alta block on
Second South was the clubs first home.
and here it entered upon its career of I'M
checked prosperity.
At first the organization was more or less
political in its character, and il exerted a
marked influence in this respect, but that
has passed away, and it is today purely So
cial. As the years rolled by, and the club
increased IN wealth and mem bership its
needs grew, ana last year, not without re-
luctance, IL moved into the Dolly building.
occupying the entire top floor. The new
quarters were furnished and decorated
at & COST of nearly SIS, 900. Its present
home Is in keeping with It's position, and is
fitted up in style Of magnifcence which
is unsurpassed in the West. An idea of
the extent Of its resources was shown last
month when it entertained nearly five
hundred members and guests. The office.
reading room. billiard hall, card and wine
rooms, reception parlors, banquet hall, din
ing rooms and kitchen are perfect in their
appointments Lately, the club has fitted
up in the fifth floor elegant sleeping apart
ments for the accommodation Of It's home
less but wealthy mem bers. One very at
tractive feature is the great roof, where in
summer the club men are won't to congre-
gate On moonlight nights for quiet
snooze.
THE QUESTION OF COST.
What does it cost to belong to the Alta?
Well, there is a vast difference between
the necessary cost and the actual expense.
Many q Workingman earns less than the
cigar bill of some clubmen. and more than
one modest clerk would consider himself
IN clover If his income were as large as
the wine bill Of others. In an organ
jzation where there are men in
moderate circumstances and miIiionaires
galore, the question of expense must needs
be an elastic one, and so it is. For the first
year, q resident member who exercised his
privileges at all could hardly keep the
figure under $500, while more than one man
foots bill Of that size in a month, for en-
PERTAINING is expensive business and the
Alta men are noted for their hospitality.
How do the members entertain them
selves! Well, they talk, read, dine and
play cards. For money! Well, playing
cards for money is strictly prohibited at
ali the local clubs, out the legal term, ''or
for things representing money! does not
appear in the bylaws, and these things
may represent q bottle OF wine, for in
stance, and 1t is said that the wife OF GER
tain clubmaD once found in her lord IS
pocket a sufficient number OF these things
to 6uy basket of champagne, and not only
that. she bought it.
Besides Mr.. Mccormick, those VINO have
filled the position are Joab, Lawrence. II.
G. Hill, A. Ranauer, Charles Read, G. p.
Mason, James Glendinning and r. Mack
intosh Messrs. Read and Mason served
two terms each. The club now has a
of 235, aDG the annual election
win be held On the last Saturday in FebrH-
airy, 1858.
The present officers of the club are
President, Richard Macintosh; vice
president J. e. Gallagher; secretary, J. z.
Little; treasurer. j. NJ. Stout, and these
gentlemen, with M. S. Pen6ergast, G. p.
Mason, J. Barnett, 7. A Wickersham, Z.