Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-17

the early period, when debates were heid
frequently, scientific, moral. and pohtlcal
subjects were introduced. Many OF these
debates were public exhibitions and mock
trials and moot assemblies were also
held; there were also nominating conNen-
lions, and the forensic arguments in these
were probably the most exciting of any.
Special attention was paid To parllamen-
tary law. and questions of this character
were extensively treated. and when in
trlcste subjects arose that could not be
solved bv means OF the textbooks. they
wore submitted to the Speaker of the
House of Representatives for final acJu-
dication.
ATTENTION TO SOCIAL MATTERS.
About ten years ago the society dis
continued IN Il large measure its literary
work. though the library still formed
prominent feature Of 1t. but the adj
yencing years of its members and their
many duties in other directions prevented
the older members from the performance
of those literary tasks which had always
been such a,distinguishng feature OF the
society Then, too. the younger members
evinced less desire to continue the lit
erarv efforts OF the organization. and
drifted i'm the direction of social pleasures.
Their entertainments were always or the
highest order. Their balls were bri liant.
and their musicales and sorees were
distinguished for exceptional talent; upon
occasions, too, they called to their as
sistance their lady friends, and dramatic
entertainments of great merit were the
result
SKETCH OF THE CLUB.
Tho Mercantile Club was Incorporated
IN the Goth day Of March lSsI, with the
following charter members: Myer Heller
u. Mittcldorfer. w. Lovenstein. julius
Straus, a. Gunst. Jacob May. NJ. Hutz-
Ter, G.. Wallerstcin. r.. lsaab, ii. ;.
Myers, Philip Whitlock. II. Schwartz
schild. and Henry Rosenhem. The club
Was formed for the promotion OF social
intercourse and for the purpose of main
tanning a library and reading-room. The
headquarters OF the organization were
first on Broad street on the site now
occupied by Murphy's Hotel. a Few
years later they moved to building In
the rear OF the Richmond Theatre. and
then TO 81. Luke's Home. where they
remained. until ten years ago. they en-
sconcod themselves In their present
quarters at sos east Marshall street The
club is first and before all. social or
ganization, and as such It's records show
no great epochs. 1T was promulgated by
men OF influence. backed by large imam
cial means, and has been conducted in
such a manner as 90 afford its members
every comfort and luxury that one looks
for In a wel-appointed club house. Balls
and receptions have. from time to time,
been given under its auspices on an
elaborate scale. and the entertainments
OF the Mercantile Club have been things
TO look forward TO and memories to
cherish.
ROSTER OF THE JEFFERSON.
The following iE list Of members on
the combined organization, now known
as the Jefferson Club: n. II. Asher h. j.
Bear. Byron Bear. $. Bendheim, II. \.
Binswanger. NJ. j. Blnswanger. :. j.
Bnswanger. s. l.. Bloomberg. j. G. Biers.
NJ. s, Block. s. Binswanger. IL, Block.
T.. Boiighe;mer Isaac Cohen, s. Cohen,
A EiehAl IL y. Ezekiel j. l. Ezekiel.