Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-03-15

prepOnderance
tunes possessed by persons coming from all parts Of
the country has given lavish extravaganza to
social affairs that would not be countenanced by the
old knlckerbocker founders OF the city but notwlth-
standing this the descendants of these old families
still exercise social authority. The family with
modest competence inherited from long line of
cestry, has recognized advantage which the wife OF
western millionaire who desires to break into New
York society does not ignore There have been
of old New York families who have had at their
of some social climber who felt than repaid by
the social benefit she derived from being in the
there women of old Knickerbocker stock in New
York who have been known to accept fees for intro
ducng the newly arrived rich society and by
doing they are quite much within their rights
ceptng from $4,000 $4,000 presenting Ameri-
heiresses at the English and afterwards
Producing them to London society
In Philadelphia, however such business methods
do not obtain in social affairs. This city is stilI
the representatives of the families who founded it
nearly century and half The list is
fully revised each and the first question asked
regarding the addition of new name is: who were
her grandparents" Society in Philadelphia is still
largely influenced by simplicity of Quakers
and there is not that lavish extravaganza prevailing
elsewhere. The question OF money seldom enters IN.
cars rather than in the carriage of woman of
tabshed social standing The fact that the old for
tune of the family has disappeared differ
ence in Philadelphia, even though woman may be-
of Assembly set, most influential in the
diticn of names, was of wealth who
was supporting herself upon salaries received from
had developed special talent
The fact that a member of the old Biddle family
made and sold fine hand-worked blouses lingerie
did not prevent her marrying whose family had
girl debutante could hardly procure SIM
pie cotton frock and plain white slippers for the
semby dances. Yet she the recipient of
much attention any of the others and when
couple of later she decided to agent for
a certain coal company. it did not affect her social
position. Her society friends her their orders
for coal and their invitations dinners dances.
need he fact AT nerc iSSiO
the sale of coal provided her family with comforts
which they had been deprived for whole generation
Strangers in old Philadelphia laugh the tradi-
ton which makes Market street the dividing
line between those who social position
those without it, but the fact has been well estaD
Ished and even now the distinction exists Few
names upon the Assembly list be found north
of Market street This does not indicate however,
that those who dwell in the vicinity of Rittenhouse
have all social recognition Many of the older
families prefer to live in the suburbs and their
old residences Walnut or Spruce streets are occ-
pied by newcomers who hope by location to
social recognition, something that does not al
ways follow. 1t is expected that the establishment
of the magnificent opera house North Broad
street will have great influence in overcoming the
distinction against the section north of Market street
At first there strong feeling that the
house would unsuccessful because fashion
set would not cross Market street. but the past three
have proved that even in Philadelphia the low.
for music is greater than the traditions. and from its
first opening the new opera house patroniTed By
the most exclusive society.
In Baltimore the old Maryland descendants of Cal
vert and Carroll stock exclusive in their
cial ideas the Philadephians, and the Balti-
Assembly list is rigidly guarded. The As
sembly ball of the Monumental City is important
social event and is always attended by number Of
prominent personages from Washington.
While the old families of Philadelhia still hold
plee social dominion 1t is since they have had
, any part in the government of the city In
respect Charleston differs from of the other
older American cities. 1t is often spoken of the
aristocratic city in this country and
that the government of the city always has been
largely hands of the old arstocratic families
founded the town. 1t has happened that the
mayor of the city also the president of the St
Cecilia society, which the old social organization
corresponding almost exactly to the Assembly of
Philadelphia Baltimore. The ST. Cecilia
founded in 1852 amateur musical society, but
century and it is social organization. 1t gives
balls each which spoken of in Charles
ton as st Cecelias" They always held a
Thursday because the first Cecilia
given st. Cecelia's day which that year
Thursday The only exception to this rule
Charleston in 1919 the St. Cecilia society
a ball on a Saturday night. The president the
ciey always the newest bride supper and it
is likely many wedding dates have been fixed
give bride that honor The ST Cecilia is govern
ed by a president and board of managers Names
proposed pass the board and be submitted to
society. Once has been added, the ladies OF
the family are put on the list" and kept there
ever. The penalty of being dropped from the st.
Cecilia would be a death blow all social position
in Charleston, it would also Influence the
ing person in the other southern cities since the
Cecilia balls frequently attended by visitors
But such happening has been frequently talk
ever dropped"