The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-08-11
THE RBJUyESATED FEDERAL CLUB.
Sketch of the O~rganization-T Old
ToffDy Guards.

Sketch of the Organization The Olu
TofTDy Guards.
1t was good news to many who read
the full and detailed account in H JER-
sEY CITY NEWS of last evening OF the
revival of the Federal Club Those who
were most intimate with the club heaved
a sigh of relief as they read that Captain
Laws had been elected TO the Presidency
and realized that the prospects OF q re-
restoration OF that vim aud vigor that
characterized the club previous to its
change of government In 1890 would soon
as set forth exclusively III last nights
NEWS, that the apathy which has been
dominant in the club will now be stirred
by the four winds, "a a healthy and
stimulating regeneration Of the old time
enthus. 1sm with be marked.
In tracing the clubs history from the
time of Its organization, 1t is particularly
noticeable that Captain Charlie Laws
has bobbed up as one of the principal
factors throughout. One of the MEM
bers in speaking of him yesterday said
that Mr.. Laws was the most popular
member Of the club from its inception.
81 well remember" my informant said.
Guards, went to the Inauguration of
President Harrison in 1888. 10
my personal knowledge u half
dozen members of the club went to Mr..
Laws and intimafed that they had moi
sufficient cash to get through with. Mr..
Laws hand went down iuto his pocket
and he produced the money. During
was marked. Mr.. Laws always was
wiling to dive his hand into his pocket
and produce any cash wanted"
As stated in Yesterdays NEWS, Mr..
| Laws was one of the founders Of the club.
1t was organized in 1880 as the Toffey
Guards. 1t mad rooms at the cor
ner. of Newark avenue and Bald
occupied by the Dauntless Social Club.
| AT the end of fou years the club SO pros
pered, under the presidency Of Mr.. Laws,
that more c~ommodious quarters were
necessary. Rooms We're secured at Nos.
2 and 4 Oakland avenue, now used by the
Fielder Club. These soon were found to
be entirely inadequate. In 1888 the club
again moved, this time to its present
quarters at No. 6 Willow court.
This house is . large, old .fashio ned one
OF frame construction. 1t has a umbe
of large rooms distributed over the
house, including q kttchan and commo-
dious pRrlor. The place was then the
old Evans Estate. Later It was sold to
the N. H. Co. r. r. Co. Snbsequen fly
it was purchased by Mr., Lakey, who pro-
poses tearing it down and rebuilding with
fats. As the present lease which The
Federal Club has signed does not
! expire until next June, the house will
stand for almost a year at any rate. In
1890 the clubs name was changed from
the J. j. Toffey Guards 10 the Federal
Club. This change mas thought advisa-
able by many members, because of an er-
roneous impression which the name
"Guardsn conveyed to some DESTROYS of
joining the club. These thought that
guards" implied the necessity of march
ing through the streets dnring the cam
palgn and doing such work. and the very
idea was distasteful.. On the other hand
the Federal Club" bespoket dignity. no
marching and all that was conducive to
q social and political clubs prosperity.
AT the same time Captain Laws re-
signed as President. This was like q big
thunderbolt from q clear blue sky. Aug
ust Klein succeeded him. but somehow
Mr.. Laws carried away all the stimulat-
ing effect that his reign had had. The
club struggled and struggled hard. Mem
bers dropped out and fell in arrears.
Cliques formed and the club seemed des
tined to go TO destruction. The NEWS
told the rest in last nights issue. Next
Wednesday will be the first entertain
ment under Captain Laws rule. That
bespeaks for the event a grand success.
Chowder will be served and a general
rejoicing will tie had,