The record-union., 1896-02-28


Expelled.
NEW YORK, Feb. 27-Wyndham
Thomas Windham-Quin. fourth Earl OF
Dunravenand Mount Earl, betterknown
as the Earl of Dunraven, tonight SUI
fered the disgrace of being expelled
from honorary membership in the New
York Yacht Club, the oldest organlza-
ton of its kind in America The actlon
had been contemplated by the club for
some time past, but it was only the ex-
ertion of the strongest influence by GER
tain members that saved his lordship
from being summarily expelled months
ago.
The action of the yacht club tonight
was taken because Lord Dunrayen,
they believed had had sufficient time to
either apologize or resign. Consequent
", upon motion of Captain Cass Led
yard. Lord Dunraven was expelled from
honorary membership in the club by
vote of 80 to 1.
To-night's meeting had been ad-
iourned from two weeks ago, when the
question of Lord Dunraven's expulsion
was brought up in the form of resolu-
ton introduced by Captain Ledyard
calling upon Lord Dunraven to tender
his resignation The meeting this even
ing was called to order at 8 p. m. Some
forty yacht owners or voting members
were present in addition to about 800
regular members. Commodore E. M.
Brown presided.
The meeting being a special one, only
business pertaining to the Dunraven
question was discussed, and Secretary
Oddie Immediately proceeded to read
the different letters which had passed
between Lord Dunraven and members
of the club. First he read Dunraven
letter to E. j. Phelps and the one to
George L. Rives. Next was read the
following communication in reply to
Dunraven's letter to Mr.. Phelps:
NEW YORK, Feb. 26 1896.
To the Commodore of the New York
Yacht Club-Sir: Irclosed herewith
will be found a communication from
Lord Dunraven. AS the committee at
its request was discharged from fur
ther consideration of this question at
the last meeting, I send it to the club
for such action as it thinks best. The
committee has acknowledged the re-
cefpt of the letter, and has notified Lord
Dunrayen of it's transmission to the
club.
They cannot submit this letter with
ont observing that Lord Dunraven mis-
states their report in al important par
ticular. He says that a diagram was
..accepted by the committee as math-
ematically proving that we did not see
the actual objects which we did see.
Nothing in the report justifies this
statement 1t was not denied or doubt
ed that we saw the discharge hole Of the
bilge pump above the surface OF the
water on the day before the race, and
that it was below the surface on the
day following. The fact demonstrated
by the evidence and found in the report
is that the hole could not be visible
above the water when the vessel was
or an even keel, and consequently that
it was made visible on the first day by
the vessel having a slight list to star
beard. the probable cause of which the
evidence pointed out. The apparent
change in the relative position of the
vessel had been increased in the mean
time. Very respectfully yours.
Signed: Edward j. Phelps, J. Pier
pont Morgan, William G. Whitney, A.
c. Mahan, G. L. Rives.
Then followed the reading of the fol-
lowing communication:
Dear Sir: Seeing that the New York
Yacht Club was to meet on the 18th to
consider the report of the committee
of inquiry appointed on the 18th of No
vember last, l thought it right to in
form you by cable that I had written
to Mr.. Rives on the Sth inst and TO
Mr.. Phelps on the 18th inst.
'DUNRAVEN."
After the reading of these commu-
nications Captain Ledyard jumped to
his feet and asked the unanimous con-
sent of the meeting to the withdrawal
Of his resolution of February 18th, de-
manding Lord Dunraven's resignation.
This was willingly granted. Then Cap
tain Ledyard proceeded to read the fol-
lowing resolution, preceding it with the
following remarks:
"At the last meeting of this club l
Introduced resolution which called
upon Lord Dunraven to resign his hon
orary membership of the club. thought
at that time, and believe a great many
members of the club thought that
method of dealing with the situation
asking him to resign instead of taking
more summary action against him-was
more in accordance with the way in
matter up to that time.
Il do not think there has ever been in
the mind of any member of the club an
idea that we should accept any resigna-
tion by Lord Dunraven unless it was
accompanied by a full, complete and
ample apology, and at the same time a
retraction of his charges. I think sir,
that the communications we have re-
ceived since that last meeting have put
a different aspect upon the matter Lord
Dunraven by several communications
has shown that he has not accepted the
result of this inquiry He is still carp
ing, still hedging, still evading and still
insisting that he saw with his eyes what
we all know he did never see, and that
has been conclusively proven to have
been impossible.
7 think his course has been such that
it is due now to the dignity and self
respect Of this club that action shall be
taken which shall leave no room for
doubt as to the attitude of the club, and
with that view / shall ask the unani-
nous consent Of the members of the
club to withdraw the resolution which
/ offered at the last meeting, for the
purpose of submitting in its place an
other and different one, as follows:
The Earl of Dunraven, an honorary
member Of this club, has publicly
charged foul play on the part of the
Defender in the recent races for the
Americas cup Of such a nature as ne
cessarily implicate the managing own
ers Of the vessel.
Tho o1,o,eraS hove 1,ooy, i,,x-oc+;e era4nd