The evening world., 1894-05-12
WosdDs gFVN oaFcE has been into

others who had also made finance the
study Of their lives.
Had the club been composed Of men of
ordlnary financial ability, II Is probable
mat the scope OF assessment would have
been increased, and that there would
have been little trouble in securing the
required funds. But II was Greek
against Greek. and. finding that they
could get no more out OF the men who
already composed the membership OF the
club, the committee was forced to adopt
the only remaining measure. That was
to increase the membership roll Of the
club without regard to millions and.
In fact. without regard to anything
else In particular.
The consequence has been that the
club, instead OF becoming an ex-
elusive organization of millionaires. as
was at first designed, is a hybrid affair,
neither one or the other. The letting
down Of the barriers admitted so many
strangers and men who do not usually
said. a number OF the older members
have. threatened to resign. The new
membership has thus far been derived
chiefly from Tammany, officials In this
is made up OF fnanciers and politicians.
The main purpose Of the organization,
as set forth in the constitution. namely,
social intercourse, seems to have been
thing OF all. Why did not the rich men
patronize the club before these new
members were admitted? With the
world at their disposal, the most luxur..-
GUS surroundings and with all the physi-
cal comforts that the most fastldious
cluhman could wish, why did not the
manifold blessings? These are not hard
questions to answer, and the reply will
be interesting to those who have made
study OF American institutions. The
l ,I,,s.I L., rlFA ~
a prominent member Of the club who.
In conversation with a World reporter,
said:
There are not toadies enough in the
club to make 1t a success. The thing was
started on magnificent scale. and our
wealthiest men easily yielded to the
inducements that were held out to them
2 52n They felt iha they SGy would BE
would be constantly held up before the
public in admiration as containing the
very richest men OF the country. Natu-
rally. this was an attractive prospect,
But after having their names enrolled
there was nothing else. for these men to
gain. There was certainly nothing espe.
house itself. If they went there they
were sure to meet men with whom they
had associated in a business way most
Of the nature of their occupations and the
closeness with which they had devoted
themselves to the raising Of money they
would find little for amusement or. In
mans listening to anothers explanation
how he made more money than the first
man. And yet these millionaires had lit
tie else In common Most of them be:
joined for social purposes, and where
they had formed really pleasant associa.
tions. Therefore. whenever they wanted
diversion they went to these other clubs
The nf fhat a
Metropolitan Club was comparatively de-
serted.
III we had been toades we should have
taken pleasure in visiting the club otter
and hear these other fellows brag abou,
their money and talk shop. But, OF
course, we don't like that. Although we
may have million or so less than they
we are their equals"
An Idea Of the membership OF the Met
| roPolitan Club may be gained from the
is snS on m GOOD ot ,ha
these makes habit OF visiting the club
i J; ysn Allen, ": r. Cornelius ane
,hr,5Ss Manderht Robert and PPsae.
SSsqneey pePsw. w. Wa ". and 4. ]: j j. Astor r
the DreXels, Havemeyers and Winthrops
Francis II; Weeks tat present aoing tim.
BraSto s snS fas yes Adan hpSns isn * werSng mer4
Marquand, Herman oeirichs, Whitelav
Reid. William and j.; d. Rockefeller
Samuel sloan, w. ID. Sloane, r. T. anC
| Orme Wilson, W. Seward and II. Walte
Webb A: S; Hewitt, J. Hooker Hamer
sley. w. c. Whitney. Ogden Mills, Louis
Lorillard, Henry Kountze, John II. In
man and A. Newbold Morris. ]. Sar
gent Cram and John d. Crimmins ar,
among the prominent Tammany men.
Richard Croker is not member and
admission. The initiation fees are $50
and the dues 500 year. This makes
| revenue of 233,50. The interest on tn,
| building. at 6 per cent Is about Sl2O 600