The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-05-26
THE SISTERS COME IN.
Tendency of Mems Clubs to Open
Their Doors to Women.
New York Sun.

New YORK sun.
The word male" may or may not be
stricken out Of the Constitution. Whatever
may happen in this respect, IL is certain
that women have the right to exult now
because the word female has found it's
way quietly into many places from which
ii was formerly excluded The victory is
the greater because 1t was won without
struggle by the women. The initiative came
from the men. and they found the enthusl-
astic sympathy on the spindle side that
made the task an easy one.
The victory is in regard 10 their privileges
in mems clubs. There was a time when
woman's opportunities TO see the interior
of a mans club were rare. Most Of the
clubs have always deferred 10 the rights
of femninity TO the extent of allowing an
occasional invasion in the form of what
they call a ladies day two or three times
a year, or of an exhibition of pictures. But
such privileges gave hollow satisfaction.
The women very soon learned that every
man who got wind of the coming invasion
would get out of the way before the women
arrived at the clubhouse, and never put
his foot inside the building until he was
certain that they were well out OF it, liz
was a small compliment to offer this share
of club life TO women. but il was the most
that they had for a long time.
The privils ges which the newer clubs offer
to women al. far more liberal. There are
dining rooms to which the members are al
lowed 10 bring ladies. and there suits
OF rooms set aside for the use OF the fe-
male relatives and friends of members.
Some of the clubs have restricted the
women 10 the rooms set apart for them
and few go so far as the Arion and L.eder-
kranz, which open the greater part OF their
houses to the privileged women The idea
OF admitting women 10 the privileges OF a
club was probably suggested by persons
familiar with the plan IN the German clubs
Notwithstanding the growing strength OF
the movement which leads New York clubs
TO admit women. this city has been pro-
vincial in this respect. Already I'm Western
and Southern cities women are very gener-
ally admitted TO extended club privileges.
The Pickwlck. OF New Orleans, which might
be called the representative club of the
South, admitted the wives and friends OF its
members 10 the restaurant The same
thing Is true OF the Union League Club in
Chicago: and in Louisville the Pendennis
Club the successor OF the famous Old Ken
lucky Club. makes special feature of the
privileges IL extends TO women TIE supper
and dinner parties which are given at the
club are among the events OF the social life
OF the town The fact is the more striking
In the case OF the Pendennis Club when one
considers the popular reputation OF Ken
tuckans In their convivial moods but the
presence OF women In the Pendennis Club is
a very important feature of It's existence
OF course there are still great many
clubs In New York which do not admit
women. and for that matter probably never
will. but the tendency OF those organized
now Is 10 make liberal provisions for their
entertainment. IL might be interesting to
speculate as 10 tie c1use OF the new move