Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-12-19
A CLUB HOUSE OF MARBLE
ALL EYES TURNED TOWARD
MRS. STEWARDS PALACE.

MRS. STEWARDS PALACE.
Bsth til G Union and Nj auhattan After the
Structure - The University Clubs
Bound Into Prominencs-SureT Tips on
Stocks Which Fleece Many An Unsus-
pectipg Lamb.
NEW YORK, Dec. 1S.-The eyes Of all
clubdom are fastened longingIy on the
white marble mansion of the late Mrs.
Stewart. Rer husband was once mem.
Der OF the Union, and opinion is rite in
that august home of ali that IS dashing
and brilliant in swelldom that if Mrs.
Stewart mad been alive to her opportuni-
ties she would have left her house to the
elub. 1t would make a great club house.
The first floor is entirely OF marble and
the windows are so large, commodious
and expansive that they could probably
frame more overfed and apoplectlc Union
club faces than any other windows in
town.
Rich old burgundy, under-done game
and long hours at the festive board have
established a certain tint OF face and
beaviness of eye indelibly associated with
the Union Club.
The contrast between this rosy color
and the paliid and white surroundings of
the Stewart mansion would be touching
in the extreme. The Union is unques-
tionably the wealthiest club in town, and
if it's treasury can sustain loss of $780,,
600 year from the populations of SER
wants 1t can certainly afford a better club
house than it now owns.
The Union bids fair to become what
may be called news centre.
In time the morning papers will send
there just as they send to police head
quarters for sensational items. 1t IS not
the fault of the Union that it gets into the
papers so often. lis mem bers are all
prominent in the social or financial world
and il any sort of a row occurs in the
club house it must OF necessity involve
the names OF men known everywhere in
New York. Ii two famous millionaires
have an insignificant squabble in the
Union Club it is of mole interest to news
paDerS and newspaper readers than
double murder on the East side of town.
The Manhattan Club is also credited
with having an eye on the Stewart man
sion. The present home OF the Manhat-
tan is so lar out of town that its members
are becoming dissatisfied, and as the club
is enormously wealthy feels that it can
afford even sc pretentous house as that
which belonged to the dry goods prince.
mad talk this morning with man who
Is cOnnectedin an administrative capacity
with the Stewart estate. He said that all
the talk about clubs buying the Stewart
house was premature, as 1t will be sew
eral years before the house is disposed OF.
The heirs of the estate have quietly
come to an agreement to allow Judge Hill
ton to reapportion the second half OF the
property, as Mrs. Stewart displayed IA
yoritism and considerable injustice in
disposing OF this portion OF her fortune.
This action on the part OF her heirs is an
other very striking proof of the conf
dence people place in much abused
man. for The arrangement practically
places $S,000,000 in the hands OF
Judge Hilton TOR distribution among the
heirs. In addition to this it may be re-
membered that the other portion OF the
Bstate-aiso consisting of $4,000. 600
is left in trust with Hilton. The only re-
striction is that he shall finish the i'm
prOvements In the GarGenCity schools and
divide the TesIduum among the heirs. AS
the improvements will not cost 100000 it
leaves the additional sum of $7,500000
in Judge Hilton's hands. In the dispo-
sal of this he has to consult nothing but
his own discretion. IL is questionable if
so much power was ever before placed in
the hands OF a single man.
This is the time of year when clubs are
at their best, and IL is instructive to
glance over the field. The surprise of the
day is the University which, from being a
quiet and an unostentatious sort OF a club,
has boomed up into a leading place.
They are contemplating numerous inno-
vations, such as the admission OF ladies
into their club house at stipulated hours
and giving series Of balls during the
winter season. Only the graduates of a
certain number of colleges are eligible to
this club. This bars the dashing, bard
drinking and horsey set of New York
men, but it has had the effect of drawing
TO the University a number of stanch
and substantial citizens who work har-
mopiously for their club. The result is a
degree of success which was unlocked
for year ago. There is never any talk
about the Union League Club, as it is man
aged after the manner of a conservative
banking house, the details of which are
jealousy guarded from the public eye.
The Knickerhocker is essentially club
of men OF fashion, and now that society
is IN swing for the season the Knicker-
booker is expected to look up. 1t is rather
q curious thing that there has never been
established IN New York on a permanent
basis club of men prominent in the arts
and professions, after the style OF the Boz
hemian Club OF San Francisco, or the
Savage Club Of London.
BLAKELY HALL.