New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-18
A GLIB "LTKEE MELTCAN."
THE CELESTIAL SMART SET IN COMFORT
ABLE QUARTERS

THE CELESTIAL SMART SET IN CONF fI-
ABLE QUARTERS
Chinatown in the neighborhood OF Pell-s'' was
GORGEOUS last night with variegated lanterns nags
and bunting while the detonation OF the ever
festive frecracker was heard every side. The
occasion Of all this festivity the opening OF the
new Chin ,se clubhouse. at No. 20 Peli-st. This
is considered by the Celestla's as the only nrst-
class Chinese clubhouse ever opened in this city.
There have been number OF small affairs, but this
one occupies about the whole OF the building, and.
judging from the fights OF stairs 1t is necessary
70 climb TO reach the top floor OF It, the building
must be at least seventeen stories high. II was
imnerative IN the eyes Of the Chinese guide. that
the reporter should go up to the top floor because
II was there that tho band was stationed And
such band It was There were about twenty pieces.
consisting Of drums weird reed instruments and
various other things but the star performer OF the
lot WAS q solernn-l looking Chinaman with a pair
OF cymbas He played them with a dash and vigor
which simply appalling and 1t made the boss
Chinese hddled pale with envy. The music OF tho
band could be heard four blocks away, and even
further-nnd the further away the better II sounded
The opening OF the clubhouse was said to mark
an epoch in the history of Chinatown, it will az
ford an opportunity for club life to the wealthy
young Cinnamon that they have been longing for
ever since they lett their native land. And even
last night hundreds of them were lounging in the
hundred and rooms OF the clubhouse. with all
the ease OF the "Meican' clubman.
The new Chinese Club starts off with a member
ship that puts even Croker's Democratic Club in
the shade. over four thousand members have
already been enrolled and there is list OF appll-
cations for membership over four yards long. The
name OF the new club is the Young Mems Associa-
ton OF Chu Fong," and its formation has been
under way for some time. It is named after Chu
Fong who wa recently elected Mayor OF China
town" Four large associations have been consoli-
dated in the new club. They were the Lu Hang
Sin the Won Lung lie, the Ting Sang 81 and the
So Pang Wing-or. at least. that was as close as
the reporter could get to It from the explanation OF
his guide There a ruInor In Chinatown last
night that the club had not been organized for
social purposes only. 1t openly said that tho
club was formed In opposition TO the Chinese Six
Companies which is controlled by Chinese million
aires and which has cut such wide swath In Chi
nese affairs on this continent
The dedication Of the clubhouse began last night
with the setting off of thousands Of nrecrackers,
which had ben strung on cords across Pell-st. In
every direction IT feared at first that ii would
be impossible 10 get permit from the authorities
for this style Of noisy demonstration. SO dear to the
heart of every Celestial. Chu Fong called on Mayor
Van Wyck IN the afternoon Tor permit. but tho
latter told him that although he regretted II very
much he did not have the power 10 grant the re-
quest. He said that the Application would nave 10
DO made 10 the Board OF Aldermen Gnu Fong eA-
planned the Mayor that the celebration would be
a failure without the hrecrackeIs ana mat me evll
spirits who constantly on the alert Tor the sons
Of the howery iani coHd mo- De s a IVY
pathy keenly for his brother Mayor Of Chinatown.
and he finally referred him to Clerk Blake OF the
Board Of Aldermen. The matter was finally ar
ranged IN way. and such letting or or IRE
works Chinatown has seldom seen before
a banquet followed the out-of-door celebration.
which was lttendod by all the big mOguls OK
Chinatown. The guests toasted for eight mortal
hours and they were still at II early this morning.
The bill OF fare extended down two flights of stairs
until 10 got lost In the basement. and II included
every dclicacy known to Chinese epicures. There
sharks fins birdnost soup. ducks tongues
Dreaded. tduqlfd
far 100 numerous to mention. The banquet hall
OF the clubhouse decorated in most gorgeous
manner, ana all the attendants were clad In silks
and satins. Gnu FOng made speech. but the re-
porter could not catch this imnort of his remarks.