You originally said, "The fact that quality women have applied and never been accepted, and, that no woman has ever had an invitiation extended, speaks for itself."
You have NO way of knowing who has been considered for membership, unless you are on the board. The club has never "made it plain that they consider themselves to be a men-only club." They have made it plain that their membership is their own business, and they will not be blackmailed, threatened, or browbeaten into admitting anyone. (And three cheers for them!)
For all we know, the committee was considering a lady with the proper qualifications. (My guess for the first candidate would be the widow of a very popular member. That's the usual way to open a previously all-male club to women. They may create a special "widow of member" category as an interim, but that too will pass.) Assuming this paragon of ladies exists, she is (as she would have to be) a discreet and traditional lady, and I'm sure the committee has asked her to "lay low", like Br'er Fox, until this all blows over. And, being a lady, she has responded, "Of course." Cursing Burke under her breath.