New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-05-31
THREE HUNDRED DROPPED.
NON-PAYNENT OF DUES THINS RANKS
OF DEMOCRATIC CLUB.

member Of the house committee of the
Democratic Club authority for the state
ment last night that since January l fully three
hundred members of the club have been dropped
from the rolls account of non-payment of
dues and club bills.
Some of those dropped are exceedingly indig-
nant and say that they did not receive notice
that any such action contemplated Many
of them held office under the Tammany admin
istration with salaries of from $1,000 to $1,000.
They Joined the club on the urgent request of
heads Of departments with the understanding
that they We're TO continue members of the
happy Democratic family whether Tammany
was in power or not, and that if they had
trouble in paying their dues the club would
carry them along until good times again.
In order to make it easy for those who were
financially cramped, the board of governors
not long ago reduced the yearly dues from 500
10 $50 a year, hoping that even with Tam
many out of Office the membership of the club
would remain substantially at the high water
mark. These men did not want to be dropped
from the rolls as it will cost them extra to
gain their lost membership should Tarfirnany
ever come back into power. The board of gov
ernors, however, did not like the spectacle of
many members enjoying the privileges of the
club without the payment of dues. They were
not willing to carry along a large list of nom
payers. They sifted out about three hundred,
who, after being posted for the required length
Of time for non-payment of dues, were dropped
from membership.
Many Of these were liberal contributors
10 Tammany campaign funds and they are in
dIgnant that they should be treated with con-
tumely by the board of governors after losing
their political places, while club favorites. who
owe the club hundreds of dollars still being
carried the rolls
AS soon as Richard Croker packed up and
went back TO Vantage the attendance at the
club began to dwindle. Lewis Nixon. when he
became leader Of Tammany, started off by say
Ing that the headquarters OF the organization
would be at Fourteenth-st and Third ave. and
not in Fifth-aVe. This suited the rank and file
but ii was direct blow at the management OF
the Democratic Club, who suddenly found that
The fine resort fitted up by Mr.. Croker was be-
Ing stunned by the active men in Tam
many. Mr.. Croker appealed to by
Andrew Freedman, and he wrote letters to
his friends urging them to frequent the
club and not to allow the interest in IL TO
die out The responsible for the finances
OF the club, however, were not so anxious that
the club should carry its rolls the names or
those who would not pay their bills promptly
An investigation of the accounts this month
showed that several hundred members began 10
fall in arrears with their dues and club bills
about one year ago at this time. and that APP
parently a large number were waiting to see
how the political cat would jump in November
before squaring up their delinquencies. Some
Of the delinquents. il is said refrained from
even with Mr. Croker and his board Of gov
errors for spending money avishly and making
them pay smartly for campaign expenses. All
such have been dropped.