The Washington herald., 1908-03-22
by THE ARBITER.

Nv THE ARBlfEH-
The suburban clubs are one of the most
pleasing features of Washington society.
In winter they are but little frequented.
save on Sunday, but in spring. the early
summer and fall they are crowded by the
fashionables, and are the scenes of many
festivities. Breakfasts. luneheons, teas,
dinners, and late suppers even are given
there and at this season the demand on
the clubs resources are so great that or
ders must be placed and tables reserved
at least day ahead.
Only the members and their guests are
entitled to the club privileges, but when
the latter are residents of Washington ii
is not permitted 20 ask them to the club
except for dinner and on especial DAYS
At the Chevy Chase Club Thursday is set
apart for visitors, when the hospitality of
the club can be extended for any meal or
sport to the friends of the members.
whether they are from Washington or a
distance, who are not on it's roster. This
debarment Of Washington residents from
the Chevy Chase Club except on one
specified day and for dinners has been
much resented and misunderstood by
those who are ignorant as to the charac-
ter and aim of club which is an asso-
citation OF people for some common object;
hence a social club is for the promotion
of good fellowship among its members.
If Tom. Dick. and Harry. not being
members. had the run of the club and en-
Joyed the same privileges as do its men,
bers, who support il. the very purpose OF
the club would be defeated; indeed. it
would no longer be a club. but a hotel
Then. too. Tom. Dick. and Harry. while
being good fellows and popular perhaps
in their own circle. might not be accept
able to some of the club members, and Il
is for this very reason. to get away from
uncongeniaI people that clubs are formed.
A club is like big family. and in ad-
mitting one TO membership in it there is
no question as to his financial or social
standing. but whether he will he con-
genial to the other members Of the club.
SOME Of the wealthiest and most infiuen-
tial men in the world have been turned
down at clubs where their names have
been presented. not that there was any
objection TO them morally. but because II
was felt by those already in the club
that they would not be pleasant acquisi-
tions.
why was Croesus' name withdrawn
asked member of one Of the well-known
clubs Of an associate. "Oh. I don't
know" replied the person interrogated;
'but while had no intention or object
ing, I am certainly glad he die not get IN,
for he stinks so of money that I cannot
bear to go near him. And that was ac-
tually the reason his name did not go
through, because ''he stinks so of
money" that IS he makes a foolish and
ostentatious display of his enormous
wealth, allows himself to be fieeced II he
thinks it will add TO his social prestige.
but is otherwise as mean as a miser.
His social qualities are nil: he is a
poseur and sBob: so. why should men
who are really in earnest want him
about? When a man OF s character is
turned down he should. and it would be
supposed that he would be quiet about il.
but. on the contrary. he proves his un-
fitness and the justice of his rejection
by bawling blatantly against the very
club to which he had endeavored to be
elected He has. perhaps, loaned money
10 some OF its members. so he calls them
base ingrates and accuses the man who
put him up and those who seconded him
or lack OF zeal in his behalf Now. TO
upon those unwilling 20 accept him, Is as
bad-worse-than to withdraw his name.
which saves him from the ignominy of
being blackballed If II is voted upon.
A very rich man OF little knowledge
and cultivation, because he is sur
rounded by a lot or parasites. fatter-
ers. and lickspittles. who are on their
marrow bones when before him and
laugh and make faces behind him
comes to the conclusion that money
will buy nything-ancestors social
prestige. friends-and his egotism Is
so great that he never realizes that
men Of real worth shun him as they
do other nOxiOus things There is no
one in the world who Is so offensive
as the man who has nothing but his
money to recommend him. He is like
the king in the fairy tale who went
through the streets entirely naked. but
because the people did not cape at him
but did him homage, believed his ~
ing courtiers that he was magnificent
in robes Of state. woven by fair hands
Truly there is no one so naked as the
merely rich man. and ignorant and
credulous he generally remains 10 the
end, for the sycophants tell him that hS
is gorgeously dressed and the slights
he receives they attribute TO envy anC
jealousy The same feeling thai
prompted the American hostess TO Offer
TO hire the Arc de TriOmph that sh,
might illuminate IL with electricity FOL
one of her fetes and when this offel
was refused by the government o,
France proposed 20 buy Il outright
inspires the vulgar plutocrat 10 be
lieve that his money bags entitle hin
And why not. since he can buy hi:
way?
Il see your name is I'D at the Early Il
Bed Club" said member Of that bod,
TO q certain Moneybags about town. ID,
you know any of the governors?'' NO
was the reply, mot personally, but
have hundred thousand dollars or so a
HIS bank and own big block of stool
in the railroad of which c. is one Of tn,
directors. No. 1 don't know them. bu
they know me all right and they will b,
mighty glad TO have me join the club.
But as it proved. they did not know him
nobody in the club admitted to knowing
him. and they could not understand why
since he had no friends there, he wante'
to join it; so they gently turned min
down: and he in retaliation Withdrew hi
account from II. s bank and sold out hi
holdings In G's railroad but when h.
asks x, with whom he now banks, 4
put him UP at the Ducks and DrakeS h
will doubtless meet with like fate Tn
first club this Moneybags tried 20 ente
was the Sages, club devoted to scientific
literary. and professional men. and so op
posed are its members TO the entranc,