The sun., 1908-04-26

Martin absolutely refuses 10 be the Paris
awarding the apple Of this distinction
He laughs at the very idea Of forming
himself into committee OF arbitration, but
sayB that there are a score Of women who
are well fitted for that post Of vantage
and disadvantage, and could undoubtedly
by the mere raising OF finger turn the
tide Of conjecture toward themselves II
they desired.
The truth lie that they do not desire the
onus Of a position which is after all but a
mere empty honor and means to the con-
scientious a tremendous amount OF work.
a constant exhibition Of self-sacriice and
a continual coping with the million COM
plexities and complications which would
have TO be met and answered The society
women Of New York are all so busy now that
they have not time for ths many demands
made on them.
Hehoes not speak Of the fact that he has
himself been slated for the post, but says
that he realized little OF the enormlty oi
! the work this last season, and that for one
! OF his entertainments he devoted five entire
days. When he stood welcoming the rep
resentalives Of the many crowds he had
brought together some Of them remarked
that he had done II 80 easily that he really
ought 10 do such things all the time.
To the fact that he Is bachelor Mr..
Martin attributes the possibility OF his
keeping in close touch with so many differ
ent oliques and having for his friends not
alone women who are socially prominent
but also those who are In professional life.
II he were married his wife, interested by
birth or selection with some special crowd,
would naturally draw him away from so
wide range Of acquaintance. He does not
believe II possible for any married man 70
become a real leader In society and main
tain the responsibilities and loyaltes to
social tradition that would be necessary;
Mother could this be done by a married
woman who had TO take into consideration
the helping or 'hindering Of the financial
ambitions Of her husband.
Mr. Martin also believes that there has
been In the past too great a tendency toward
beiittling the province Of society and that
there is great opportunity for some man
or woman keenly alive TO the dignity OF !
place in the world TO raise the social tone
to such height that what is done socially |
in New York will be keynote struck for the |
whole world. II Is true now that every |
little hamlet in the United States looks to |
New York As arbiter Of manners and con-
Ventions.
1t should he 30, for the people who make
up New York society are the pick Of the
nation, those who have won place ip II by |
some happy circumstance OF birth or for
tune or by their own efforts, and the leaders
Of that society should remember that they
have a responsibility greater than merely
having good time; that they should not, for
the sake Of sensation, do anything that will
bring the shadow Of odum to their class.
just as royalty has to bow to the rule Of
noblesss oblige, 30 should society, and he
believes the time is coming when that feel
ing will prevail to a much greater extent
than it does at present
And money according 70 this authority,
has little to do with the admission into the
inner arcana. That a goodly share Of that
root Of all evil is necessary for a woman TO
take her part in social doings with pro-
priety he admits, but that any one with
money can get into New York society has