Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-10-13

Was Formed in the City OF MEXICO
Only Two of the Original Mem
bers Now Alive.
From every section of the country the
members OF the Aztec Club, one ofsthe most
honored military societies in the United
States, have journeyed to Washington 20
attend the annual meeting of the organiDa-
ton and to meet about the banquet board
The meeting will be called to order this
afternoon at o'clock in one of the private
parlors of the Shoreham Hotel. The bust
ness of the club is, to great extent, per-
functory and prearranged There will only
be the reading Of the minutes, reading or
the reports of the officers and committees,
erection of new members, election of Off
GERS and selection of the next place OF
meeting. In most organizations such pro-
gram would mean the continuance of an
annual meeting through several days, but
the business of the Aztec Club is not OF
such compiled ted character, and it will
be concluded within two hours at the great
est The election Of officers consists of for
mally electing the vice president to the
presidency Under the rules of the club
the president retireS after one year and the
vice president succeeds him. Therefore this
afternoon DR.. John w. Brannan, the pres
ent president of the club, will retire, and
Gen. Francis r. Pinto will succeed him.
The other officers are Mr.. Macrae Skykes,
secretary; Mr.. William Turnbull, treasurer,
and Mr.. E. II. Floyd-Jones, vice treasurer.
The only new officer to be elected this year
is a new vice president, as the other officers
are practically elected for life.
Members and Guests.
In addition to the officers, all OF whom
are here, the following members and
guests of the club are in Washington to
attend the meeting:
DeCourcey w. Thorn, Rev. William
Tayloe Snyder, Loyal Farragut, Col.
George A Porterfield, Roberdeau Buch-
anan, Admiral w. S. Schley (guesD, Rep
resentative Francis E. Shober (gues0,
Barry MacNutt, Major John Biddle Por-
ter, Cen Robert Murray, L, S. A; Gen.
S G. French P. TecuElseh Sherman, J. J.
Martin, Admiral w. II. Shock, Capt. j.
F. Reynolds Lands, William NJ Sweeny,
]. Malcolm Henry, j: Kennedy stout
D. Wilcox, Admiral Silas Casey, Z. S. NJ;
DR.. J. w. Brannan, Gen. Marcus J.
Wright (guest, Gen. ]. Watts kearny,
Gen H. G.. Gibson, U. S. A. DR. G. William
NJ Polk, Mr.. a. II. Taylor, Gen. Francis
70. Pinto, Admiral J. c. Watson, L. S: N;
Appleton Morgan, Francis q: Lalmbeer
(guesD. Fred May Gen; X: {, Drum =:
Major Charles l.. McCauley U. S. M. C.;
Gen. T. J. Wood, Z. s. A; Major Goooloe'
Marine Corps; Charles Porterfield, -
Lander tgueSt.
The annual gathering of the club mem
hers will conclude this evening, when the
yearly banquet will be given in the banquet
hall at the Shoreham Only the members
of the club will be present with the guests
aforementioned, and Lieutenant Generals
Schofield, Miles and Young. General F1tz-
hugh Lee. who was invited to be present,
could not attend and sent his regrets.
Established in the City of Mexico
On the 18th of October 1917, as soon as
the United States army was quietly estab-
Hshed in the City of Mexico, meeting of
officers was called with a view of forming
the Aztec Club and opening club house
for the entertainment If its members ana
th-!r guests while in tie city.
It is not known that any record exists OF
the early proceedings of the club thus
formed, but the following were among the
promoters took an active part as cluR
off GERS from the start:
General Qutman PRESIDENT, Captain j.
B. Grayson and Colonel 9. F. Smith as first
vice presidents, Captain ]. b Magruder as
second vice president; Lieutenant r. Z.
Hammond as treasurer and Captain George
Deas and Lieutenant II. Coppee as secreta
rieS.
The original home of the club was the
handsome residence of Senior Boca Negra,
who had been formerly minister to the
United States from Mexico, and was To-
Gated on one of the streets leading out of
the Gale Plateros, and not far from the
headquarters of General Scott, commander
in-chief.
On the 18th of January, 1913, a constitu-
ton was adopted and a new election was
held. The initiation fee was made $50,
DaVablp advance. General Winfield
Scott and Chaplain John McCarty were
elected honorary members.
On March 3, 1913. by resolution of the
dub a constitution, with a list of members,
was printed at the office of the American
Star. in the City of Mexico.
A meeting of the Aztec Club was held in
May, 1913, when it was determined that no
satisfactory plan could be then proposed
for continuing the existence of the club,
after returning to the United States; but,
desiring to preserve some lasting me-
mortal of the pleasure and advantages de-
rived from this institution that may serve
for all time additional bond of
friendship and brotherhood among its mem
bers," it was
Resolved That the organization of the
club shall continue with its present officers
September, 1871.
At the time of the withdrawal of the
army from Mexico the club consisted of
1GO members and two honorary members.
Revival in 1867.
In 1852 an election of new officers was
made accordingly. but no regular meeting
of the club took place until September,
1867, when officers were elected, q place
and day for the next annual meeting
named a list of the original members
ordered to be printed and distributed, and
a commemoration badge to be designed for
transmission to living members and to the
families of those deceased
The action taken at this meeting was
submitted to the survivors OF the Aztec
Club, and confirmed by the votes returned
to the secretary.
| At future regular meetings resolutions
have been adopted in accordance with ar
| ticle XII of the constitution of 1S47, as fol-
| lows
| In 1871 it was decided to admit to MEM
| bership officers who may apply having
served in any part Of Mexico during the
war, after nomination and election by the
| club
In 1882 1t was decided that officers killed
| in battle or who died of wounds in Mexico
| before the formation of the club might
| upon application of son or nearest blood
! relative. be admitted to the roll Of MEM
| bership. to be represented by the son or
nearest blood relat tive, after his nomina ton
and election by the club
In 1887 it was decided that officers now
dacaa Sed who served in MeyicO during the