New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-08-04
AMONG THE CLUB-HOUSES.
AMUSING STORY TO THE UNION LEAGUE
THE WORK OF HOUSE. BUILDING GOES MERRILY
ERODkI0N ADN \
AND
ON ISLAND RES


oN-How AFFAIRS STAND.
The Union League Club is in front of the house
builders. so far as the amount of attention 1t at
tracts is concerned. Just at present Remembers
are enjoying hearty laugh over weakly written
article in the Brooklyn edition of New-lork
newspaper of Democratic prOclivities, plainly IN
tended TO foment discussion in its ranks. The
article in question alleges that when Franklin
Woodruff was chosen president of the Republican
General Committee he intended financially to
back or buy Republican clubhouse in one OF
tbe downtown wards. Which particular club
house he intended 10 back or buy the article does
not explain. In the meantime, however, 1t Is SAID
ReDublican organization in the Twenty-thrd
Ward pre-empted the name, and before MI
Woodruff knew where he was his scheme was
knocked sky-high7 Mr.. Woodruff, it was also
ALLEGED. did not subscribe for the bonds to build
the new clubhouse, and was not entirely pleased
with its situation at Bedford-ave. and Dean-St'
The reason for the merrment of the Union
League members is plain. The club was IN
corporatcd under its present name on March o.
1888. long before the choice of candidate Tor tpe
presidency of the general committee was thought
Of The club did great work in the uptown
wards in the last campaign in the way oil drum
ming up and registering voters, and Mr. Woodruu
was one of the first and foremost OF the promhehb
Republicans to acknowledge its efficiency Mr.
Woodruff is also member of the club to-day,
having Joined since his supposed scheme was
knocked szy-higho He is, if the word of his
friends is TO be believed, one of the heartiest
supporters of the club in its present projects.
Concerning the choice of a site for the new
clubhouse il may be said that it is not chosen
altogether for to-day. but for the future rs we'll
The new 23d Regiment armory is to be placed
At Bedford-ave and FuIIon-st., because
its experienced commander believes that
geographically and strategicay it is IN the centre
Of the city, Bedford-ave. is broad thorough
fare which binds the eastern district OF the city
70 It's western half Taking a "by-nd- large'
view of the subject. Bcdford.ave was the only
practicable thoroughfare in which the Union
League could build. The president of the club,
Francis II. Wilson, says " As always occurs In
such an undertaking. there was a diversity al
opnion as TO where the clubhouse should be sit
uated Some would have preferred a site IN the
Twenty third Ward, where the club was organized
Others would have preferred a site in the Seventh
Ward, and a very few would have preferred a
site in the vicinity Of the City Hall. But the
selection made was virtually unanimous and the
trihing disappointment seems TO have entirely
vanished. | am not aware any jealousy
among Republicans of our organization, and II
any such feeling exists it has been kept so Sc
cluded that it is not visible TO the naked eye.
All of members. and when L say
ALI | know whereof | speak, are in SYM
pathy with organization and are justly proud
of its prosperity. There is, in fact, no ground
for any feelings of jealousy the part of any
Republican or association of Republicans
The club recognizes the ward associations
as the source of political action and urges any
of its members who have not already done to
join them. 1t desires candidates worthy of the
Offices for which they are nominated and eXerts
lis influence TO promote harmony, ana not to Gre
fto discOrd'
This plain statement of the club aims and pur.
poses is 10 all of the members and its large
circle of outside lr nds. subject which interests
the JCG members great deal more than this lit
lie tempest is the proposed increase OF the initia-
ton Zee from $50 10 $50 There was considerable
discussion on ihiS subject at the last meeting, and
the general disposition was 10 have the increase
take elect alter 900 members mad been elected
one of the members ggested, however, that that
would lead 10 a deal OF confusion and embarraSS-
ment TO determine who was the six hundredth
member, the subject WAS laid over until the
first meet ng III september to enable those who
wished TO bring IN their friends TO have timely
notice Of the clubs determination. There is no
doubt, however, # surface indications are TO be
trusted that the initiation fee will De raised for
those who are not proposed by that
time and there seems TO be little doubt that the
annual dues will be raised at the same time
The committee of fifteen who are - have i'm
charge the ceremonies attending the LAYING
OF the cornerstone have as yet been
only partially appointed President Wilson
has found that many members are out of town
that lac must take longer time than was origi-
nally expected 10 select them. But they will Toe
appointed in il few days. Meantime work is going
on mcrrily ~ Dean 81. and Bedford-avc The con-
ercte foundations of the building are laid and
Architect LaurltZcn visits the scene of activity
once or twice a day TO watch the progress OF tho
basement walls There is little doubt that every
thing VIII he ready for the laying OF the corner
stone on tie date which has Drcn fixed
The Montanks building committee are not
idle The chairman. Charles H. Moore. who il
also president of the club, and j. Roger Maxwell
and the other members OF the committee have
been bnsy AZ work examining bids with the
assistance Of their architect Francis II kimbalI
Next week they viii probably make their decision
known. One thing h certain and that is that
the clubhouse will be pushed along AT railroad
speed soon the contractors get 10 worl, upnn
IT, The Lincoln club house. or rather its FROM
extension, = now mp ~ far rs the third story
and that tier OF beams viii he laid next week
The Carlton i ready 10 have the roof put on
its new building, and the interior work will
begin in few days. Tho other clubhouse build
ers report progress Oh the work that la being
done for them.