The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-09-03
A Question of Club Honor.

A club has been described as a court Of
honor and the only such court remaining
| In tho civil society Of this time. Its men,
bership Is carefully selected with view to
letting in solely men who both satisfy the
most delicate tests of gentlemanlike tone
| and behavior. and apply them rigidly to
those with whom they are willing to be
| In friendly association.
| 1t might be assumed. then. that the ex-
elusive clubs where this standard applied
to candidates for admission is supposed to
be highest. would be peculiarly exempt from
all dishonorable practices and courses; that
in their carefully selected and guarded
ranks conduct unbecoming gentleman
would be unknown and impossible. Ex-
perience. alas proves that such is not the
case. Instances of even dishonesty in
the management OF the financial af-
fairs Of clubs OF distinction have oc-
CURED, and they were the more infamous
because the thieving members were bound
by their honor only. Such stealing Is like
pocketing the silver OF the host who invites
you to dinner. appropriating to your own use
the contents Of tho contribution plate you
have passed about as an officer of church.
or running off with the stakes which have
been put in your hands to hold on bet 1t
is utterly vile. Such a thief Is the most
detestable OF all criminals.
The latest instance OF such intolorable
and oGthsome dishonesty in IN exclusive
club OF this city is reported or rather
charged. as having occurred In tho Society
OF the Sons OF New York. This association
is extremely exacting In its tests of fitness
for membership. In the first place. no ono
Is admitted unless he was born in New
York. The club. moreover. pays special re-
gard to the social standing and Qualitca-
tions OF candidates. since its aim is to in
cude only the representatives OF tho most
polished and elegant OF tho colored
society Of the town. 1t Is not snobbish.
but as 1t aspires to be circle Of tho high
est fashion. and gives balls and other en-
tcrtalnments as models for such functions.
it seeks to exclude all vulgarity and every
trace Of ungcntlemanlike deficiency. 1t
wants only the cream OF our colorcd society.
the highest development OF its social ac-
complishment and its instructive honor and
refinement. II the possession Of money is
also requisite for admission to its sump-
tuously appointed club house in Fifty-third
street. the requirement is the samo that
society OF fashion generally. Poverty and
fashion cannot travel together. for fash
ion Is expensive. All elegant and luXun-
GUS society Is based on wealth. or at least
wealth Is essential to 1t. A man may have
all the virtues In the calendar. but unless
he is rich also. he cannot drive in his own
carriage and travel In his own yacht and
his own private car. Unless he is pretty
well supplied with money he cannot buy his
clothes from Fifth avenue tailor and i'm
port costly wardrobes from Paris In order
that the beauty Of his wife and daughters
may shine respondent at the balls of the
gay season. Tho colored club simply recog-
nizes this self-evident truth. 1t is not for
all; 1t does not pretend to be for all; 1t Is
for the chosen and fortunate few.
If there was member OF the club who
seemed to satisfy Its requirements most