Connecticut western news., 1884-07-30
TnTIonT CLvz,
of New Hartford, Conn.

The Union club of New Hartford, Ct.
 is an institution which any town or cit.
 might be proud of
 The name "club" at once arouses ou
 suspicion or prejudice anl justly so Il
 nine cases out of ten, for the majority
 of clubs are conducted in such manner
 that the word club has become almos
 synonymous with high-toned drinking
 and carousing, and we generally look
 upon club-room as place where the
 nabobs congregnte to eat, drink, smoke,
 bet, gamble and carouse to their hearts content, without fear of being observed
 by the public or interfercd with by the
 officers of the law.
 The Union club is a model club and conducted in manner, which if not unique, is certainly worthy of recon mendation and imitation. Stringent rules are enforced, but at the same time these rules do not conflict with the com fort or pleasure of the members; on the contrary they keep the club up to high standard and insure to each member or visitor all the pleasure that can be de- rived from a conversation or short visit with friends. or social game of back gammon, checkers, chess. cards, bill lizards or pool. Betting is not allowed. You cannot even wager cigar on the result of any game. Nothing stronger than ice-water is drank OH tue premises. You can wink your left eve. y"ur right eye, or both eyes, or shut ySGr eyes and open your month and yon will get nothing stronger than water; net even raspberry juice can he o5taiuel there.
 The club rooms are open from A. M. to II P. NJ. every day except sunday. Precisely at II o'clock the gas is turned of, whether your story or game is fin ished or not, and you will not receive more light, not even hy order of the worthy president or assistauce oi the members who may plead to h. allowed to finish game.
 The club IS composed of nearly 90 of the best citizens of New Hartford. il fact the cream of the town. The prasi- dent is 3lr John W. Drowne, superiu- tendent of the Greenwoods Co.'S, mills. The janitor Is Mir Norman Harris and well does he discharge his duty for he keeps the rooms in perfect order and as neat as wax, in fact you feel almost afraid to disturb the papers and books so neatly arranged on the centre table
 We accepted an invitation to visit the club Saturday evening, July 19. The rooms are located on the first floor of the handsome brick building on Main street. They are well lighted and ven tilated, have high ceilings, are neatly painted and kalscmined and arc suppli- ed with gas and running water. The front room contains a billiard tablc and 8 pool table, both of the celebrated Brunswick X Bake manufacture On two sides of the room are rows of high chairs for the accommodation of those who desire to witness the games. 4 large eight-day clock fills the space be- tween the front windows and racks for the cues are fastened to the side walls. In one corner of the room is handsome desk on which is found large book or i'll which all visitors record their names and above the desk Is 8 hul- letin board.
 Passing through an arch you enter the rear room and find large centre table supplied with daily and weekly papers, books anal magazines, while at the rear of the room are three small ta- bles supplied with checker board and cards. Elegant pictures adon the walls and a splendid organ stands at one side of the room while on the op- posite side is a large tank of ice-water and marble-top wash stand, also combs, bushes, etc.
 Talking politics is strictly forbidden, so heated discussions are avoided. We spent very pleasant hour at the club rooms and met several old friends and formed many pleasant acquaintances.
 Each member has the privelige of oc- casionally inviting his wife or lady friends to visit the club rooms and it is no uncommon sight to see a lady thera, because any conversation or conduct that would be ont of place in lady's parlor would also he out of place at the Union club rooms.
 The club was organized last fall and the rooms were opened in November.