Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-25
The Metropolitan Club and the E1-
PEELED Member.
CORRESPONDENCE With YTURBIDE
The Charges On Which the Gov
errors Acted.
WITH ESSES IN COURT

Prince AuguStin de Yturbide against the
Metropolitan Club.
Prince Yturbide, it will be recalled, was
expelled from the club last May because,
as he alleges. he had failed to make any
answer to a charge of having made
scandalous charge in the club against
lady. The charge he is said to have made
against the lady. a daughter of one Of the
members Of the club, was, it is under
stood that of writing anonymous letters
rejecting or the character of others. The
prince claimed that he was expelled with
out having been given a proper hearing or
the opportunity to defend himself. and he,
therefore. the 10th of last July filed a petit
ton for a writ of mandamus against the
club officials. praying that they be COM
manded by the court to reinstate him
member of the club. Judge Cole required
the club to show cause why the writ should
not be issued, and the club answered six
days later.
Clubs Answer.
In their answer. the officials of the club
claimed that Prince Yturbide admitted the
charge made against him the 25th of last
April in the presence of the clubs board of
governors. when he was declared to be an
undesirable member of the club. They de-
MED that he was notified by the secretary
of the club May 3. 1885, that he had been
expelled. On the contrary. they said that
Two days later he requested to be Informed
OF the charges preferred against him. and
that. May -. 1890, the fifteen members of
the board of club governors unanimously
adopted the following resolution:
Inat lnasmuch as the charge against
Mr.. fturbide was communicated to him in
person al the meeting of the board of gov
ernors OF the Metropolitan Club on the 18th
day of April. 1895. and he thereupon an
sWered thereto. admitting the charge IN
.ne presence OF the board of governors. his
application Of May ). 1896 for a copy of
the charges be not considered"
The club denied that the prince was ar
ntrariiy or without due process Of law
summary expelled, and they therefore
asked that the asked for writ of mandamus
be denied and the case dismissed
Ihis answer of the club Prince Yturbide
formally denied in subsequent proceedings
IN court. and upon that the club Joined
issue. the matter being set down for de-
termination by a jury.
In Court.
In the hearing today Prince Yturbide
was represented by Messrs. Walter v. p.
Berry and A. w Ferguson and, after the
case had been explained to the jury by
respective counsel. the club being repro
scented by Messrs. Carlisle and johnson
Mr. Berry read the proceedings in court
heretofore had. including the petition for
the writ OF mandamus. the clubs answer
etc. Then: as the first witness for Prince
YtIrbide. MIR. Berry called Mr. Arnold
Hague, the secretary of the METROPOLITAN
Club. Mr.. Hague had with him the min
utes of the club. and he was closely ques-
tened as to what had transpired before
the board of governors, as disclosed by the
minutes. Identifying the charges and the
communication in relation thereto.
His Testimony.
Prince Yturbide followed Mr.. Hague
upon the witness stand. stating that he is
thirty-three years of age, and that he is
resident of this city. He said he has been
a member Of the Metropolitan Club for the
past ten years. The first intimation he re-
ceived from the club of the charges was
the I'D of last April, in letter addressed
to him by Secretary Hague. That letter
was as follows:
MIR. Augustin de Yturbide:
Dear Sir: By order Of the board of gov
ernors. l hereby give you notice that Sc.
rious charges are preferred against you by
members of the club of conduct unbec ON
ing gentleman, which will be heard by
the beard Saturday, the 18th instant at =
O'Clock pm. when you are notified to be
present to be heard in respect thereof
Very respectfully.
ARNOLD HAGUE, Secretary"
Two days later. he said, he appeared be-
fore the board of governors, and after he
had taken his seat the president said to
him: Mr.. Yturbide, you are accused Of
having made scandalous charge in the
club against lady" and that after a per-
ceptiDle pause he AIDED. "a daughter of a
member Of the club to members of the
club"
The prince asked us that all? Because
the letter l have from the secretary saws
there Ire various charges aginst me. and
as this Is very delicate matter that ia
likely to be ventilated elsewhere I ask to
know all the charges now, in order not 10
say more than may be necessaryy'
But, SAID the prince. the president Judge
John Davis, said. Never mind the other
cnarses. We want to get at this Just now
Ihen. the prince testified, he replied. "As
the charge Is put. l deny it." But he won't
on TO explain that the word accuse, lid
not convey the exact idea explaining tl1r
lher, That on some rare occasions when he
felt 1t incumbent on him to do so. ne had
asserted that the lady had written the
letters. The president then said that no
did not wish to hear anything fur her from
MIN, when he (fturbide) being much sur
tify himself.
The president said that as he had admit
ted the charge. there was nothing more for
Elm to say The prince said he had not
admitted the charge ard then Mr. r K
McCammon. enc Of the governors remark
ed that ne thought the prince had not been
fairly treated, and that he thought he
should hear the charge as it was received
by the board. whereupon the president re-
marked: Anybody car ask him questions. !"
Mr.. McCammon ard Mr.. E. Francis Riggs
asked the prince several questions as did
Mr.. John a. Baker. also one of the COVER
rcrs. But. said the prince, before he could
answer the questions as he wished tn.
president arose, and, opening the door
said roughly: will you go, Mr.. Yturbidea y:
explaining that he would be called again.
The prince said he remained in the cIub-
house for some time. but was informed nv
MIR. McCammon about an hour later that
the board would not call him again thai
day, put that he would receive a communi
cation from the secretary of the board
Inc witness said he shortly afterward die
receive a communication from the secre
tary, winch stated that the board had
adopted the following resolutions: '.Where
as Mr.: Augustin de Yturbide has made a
soandaious charge against the daughter of
member of the club within the precincts
OF Ihe club and to members of the club
Resolved. That in the opinion of the
pcard he has been guilty of conduct Inhe-
coming gentleman; ard
whereas. Mr.. Yturbide, by his conduct
on previous occasions. has brought grest
discredit on the club; be 1T
Resolved. That in the opinion NJ +ho
ocard he is no longer a desirable memher
Of the club.
Resolved. That Mr.. Yturbide he fnrnish
ed with a copy of these resolutions.'
The Expulsion.
Prince Yturbide said that after rece,v,n,,
this communication he continued to ax.
ercise his rights and privileges as a MEM