New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-18
CTR IN THE UNION LEAGUE.
RITTER CRITICISM OF THE EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE.
,,,,,pyrv DISCUSS ITS ACTION IN LIMITING
THE CREDIT OF CERTAIN Members
AMUSEMENT AFFORDED BY THE
INCIDENT

INCIDENT.
,r,o action Of the Union League Clubs Executive |
.i,,ea in limiting the credit Of certain membrs |
RS raised stir in the club like that due 10 lie
Sa,isman blackballing incident year ago. Mos
=. the members who not daily frequenters or the
iuhhouse learned of the extraordinary rule through
tho article in this column last Sunday Some OF
80 ,yb, received such notices were inclined to
len the fact TO themselves but the publicity given
"a the subject opened many lips. Nothing else has
baen talked of so much in the club in the last week.
and nearly every clubman in the city has discussed
the proceeding -, - a.,
OF course nine out Of ten hook upon the
,o.ices sent 10 members as wholly unjustifablc and
as contrary TO the spirit of club government Every
club has a right 10 say how great an Indebtedness
tie members may incur All organizations nave
so,os rule on the subject. In some cases a hXed
limit Of the amount is prescribed IN others 'he re-
striction relates only to the time in when payment
shall no made: while in still others. the regulation
names both the and the date by whch IL must
no handed 10 the cashier. But in the mon League
IN addition TO the general rule special ones nave
hean made applying to individual members mus
some men received notices from George be'huhe
Adams as secretary of the Executive COMMITTEE
saving that their credit would be limited 10 S'''
otbers that in their the amount would De
$50 so and so down to SO
ALL MEMBERS NOT EQUAL
Every club man has supposed that the cardinal
principle OF clhbs is the equality OF the membership
r,ach man nays the same initiation fee and the same
dues and the idea that all are 10 be treated aNe
inside the club walls. The Union League. however
makes distinctions based supposed financial re-
sponsibitty The number of such NOTICES sent Out
ia yariously estimated from dozen TO nfty' Ever!
man who received one is angry almost beyond words
and at the April meeting of the club the members
of the Executive Committee will hear some sharp
words that will make their ears burn The senti-
,ent in the club is bitter against this principe
that II seems likely that a resolution against II
will be passed next month
7, &c understood that some Of the members OF
,no Executive Committee are already deeply sorry
that the motion passed They voted LOT IL as d
matter of course not realizing just what the action
,neant The chief responsibility for the whole mud
die is laid on George Montague. VINO Tor a long
zine has been treasurer of the CLUB lie mas ever
since he has been in office exercised minute scru-
inv of the clubs finances Last year two men were
dropped who owed about 500 To prevent any re-
currence Of this. Mr.. Montague put certain members
on his blacklist. 800
The members even those who are indignant are
having lot of fun about the matter bank presi-
den, will greet a millionaire merchant WITH '"eSe
words:
Hello. are you in the $50 class?
No" will be the reply $50 is my limit
LAUGHTER OVER THE INCIDENT.
Man in other clubs are also getting great deal
~ amusement out Of the Union League. In FACT 50
nearly unanimous is the sentiment OF the injustice
Of the regulation that the subject Is hardly uisensd
seriously Clubmen break out INTO broau sHiHes
when they ak about making man pay cash ior
the last courses of his dinner If the hrSt ones wipe
out what remains of his so of credit Union League
men naturally feel dspleased at the ridicule cast
upon their club.
There is no question about the right OF the En-
ecutve Committee to take such action Inc mousse
rule headed Indebtedness 10 the club reads
All Indebtedness by members to the club must
he paid by the end Of every month ne nanlr -. 81
members failing TO pay their Indebtedness as aiore
saa Will Month Ss and notice thereof mailed to
members \ member thus notified CnittlnS 10 pay
ine peo} dsrreton of the Executive Committee be
suspended from the privileges OF the club or De re-
nended and the reason therefor shall be posted on
the bulletin board of the club; and rothlns herGI
Executive Committee. at any time, to limit or sus-
pend the credit Of any member.
HE HAD TO PAY CASH
The power conveyed in this last clause has been
exercised before. Several years ago. member
whose rregularty in meeting his house charges
had become noteworthy was told thai he could have
no food, drink or cigars without paying vtsI, |,
or har all ff he freouertes Of the house would
find why he signed no walters cheeks ne re
In many clubs the only regulation about payment
for house charges is that IL shall be mace WthlH Z"
ceived Thus Paragraph OF Article XVIII of the
Constitution of the Metropolitan Club reads:
club Except annual dues three weeks after notice
OF the debt and request to pay the same shall DE
meeting Of the Board Of Governors by an afirH-
aye vote Of at eas, nine Of s rc payable
January l. and If they remain unpaid on NpIm ,he
The rule Of the Union Club is: ANY member who
shall fail to pay amount due the club exceed ,
ing s25 Except for yearly dues for three weeks
after notice Of the Indebtedness and request to
Jay the same shall upon the factsbeihS pIeSsi. u
subject 10 The provisions of Section 7. Article ~
The section referred to gives the committee the
p The rule Is' Of the Manhattan club limits its in
debtedness for house charges to s2 Sl aS,
be paid in three weeks after the notice Is sem ou,,
hagTe to supply with ns eaS run H p an
for than SIS. The amount is MADE so snaii
because the season of the club Is short and sup,
run nearly on a cash basis
CASES OF EXPULSION.
The instances in which member has been e%-
PEELED from a club for not paying his house charges
have been few. This action has been taken now
ever. in the of men who owed large sums ana
persistently refused to pay them; ,. a..
Men commonly pay their club bhls oelore any
well.kncwn member Of a big club used to lend sums
10 his friends for that purpose but hr Hoesn 40 hi
now. He describes The incident which caused Ms
You see - came TO me one day at the club ana
due and he could get no more credit lie had eX-
pected 10 make collections. as usual. but bushes re-,
was bad and he In a urch. He always ma!
his breakfast and dinner at the club and Sould nO
get them elsewhere except by aying cash for them
Wouldn't lend him the amount Of ms accouar
Well did. and would you believe IT? on ne , UnrE
next evening he was entertaining party OF iIlenuS
in the private dning-rOOm. 1t made me 50 ailfi.!
that ! vowed never 20 pay mans cinp oeo' "s'
and never have . IN
The openns Of the Insurance Club, in IFS new new
in the Mutual Life Building annex IN i-r o
erty-st. may take place on March 81 RaInn PP rpp
gress is being made by the decorators and furnish
ers. The woman's dining room promises 10 De ~
pecialiy beautiful. Large patronage IS e%pec'e1
for il. .,--,.
The Southern Society has reelected Charles ~
Deshon president. and George Gordon Batte sec
rotary. -. %.
The City Club has reached a position where ~
influence Is being felt in legislation supSoi IN,
mittee has been named to consider espeClstii NY
changes In the State Constitution TO be ail psioi'
the Constitutional Convention in May. ony pusa
lions relating TO the government Of cities arc con
s.dered. The subcommittee had n confer.nce a.
Thursday night with representatives or othrI -,
CARNATIONS which jealous for good govei IN ~,
citv nd no