New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-11
OXFORD CLUB HOUSE.

new clubhouse il IL expected. in Chntoh-a'e
This announcement will cause widespread SUI
prise in clubdom. by reason OF the lact '"a' oo"
clubs are prosperous. elegantly houseu' anu
long ago settled down to the enjoyment winch
corpes from well-regulated luxury and good
fellowship Should the merger be made anu 1t
Is fully believed by those in charge OF the con-
ferences that it will be- the new orgafhHat'o"
will press the Union League. the Hamilton 'he
Montauk and one CT two other CLUBS Tor prece-
dence along the lines Of wealth ana influence
represented by the personnel OF us He'i'e''
Tbe negotiations are as yet regarded a state
secret and II was Difficult. last night TO learn
exactly what had thus far taken place. 1t was
found however. that the Lincoln club people
could probably sell their house at reasonable
figure and IT is thought that the oxford is IN an
equally fortunate position Further conferences
will he held in the immediate future. and 1t is
oxnec,ad that before the holidays the merger
will be accomplished and that architects Will be
invited to submit plans for a clubhouse when
will surpass in beauty either of the present
clubs
The oxford club Of which General William c.
Wallace is president. was organized ana moor
porated In June, 1880 The building is at South
oxford st. and Lafayette-ave. 1t was formerly
a large private house, and cost the cluo Sf''r"'
At considerable expense it was fitted up Tor clup
use II was not long before the need OF more
room was felt however. and the adjacent lot in
Lafayette-ave was bought and punt on: ne
oxford is an ultra conservative organization,
with purely social literary and artistic aims.
1t has a membership of about 300 During the
social season musical and literary entertain
ments are given at regular intervals, and THESE
constitute features of the social life or the city
The club has an art and library association, ana
it's labors have resulted in the adornment OF the
rooms with beautiful pictures and works OF art
together with a carefully selected library.
Martin T. Berry is president of the Lincoln
club which was organized by twelve men In
February 1878. for the purpose OF furthering
the interests of the Republican party and for
social ENJOYMENT Before twelve months had
passed the club occupied two frame houses at
Nos 65 and 81 Putnam-ave. In $3.50 IT was
regularly incorporated. and soon dropped It's po-
litical features. becoming entirely social In
1888 both frame houses were purchased ana ex-
tensively altered. In 1856 an addition costing
$1,000 was built In 1889 the club decided to
huild n home worthy of the prosperity ana
standing OF its steadily growing membership.
The building is a handsome four-story structure
in Putnam-ave.. near Downing-st. costing over
$4,000. II covers an area iXl-O Is pullt OF
pressed brick and Lake Superior sandstone. with
terra Gotta trimmings. II follows the frcnch
Renaissance has handsome stoop with elab-
orately carved balustrades The first floor Is
devoted To n reception room. dining room ana
Office The second floor is given over to billiards
and cards The sleeping rooms proper are on
the third floor and on the fourth are acconlho-
dations for the employees. President Wallace. or
the oxford club is at present cut OF the city
Martin f. Berry. president of the Lincoln cub
was seen last night at the clubhouse about the
nronosed consultations He said: Yes. the
idea of the consolidation of the Lincoln and OK
ford clubs has been talked of for some time
among the boys Many of US are members at the
ovford and we have a number of their men en-
rolled on our books. So far the consideration or
the matter has only been informal. and could
not state any of our plans definitely at present
ts soon however AS members get back from the
country we shall seriously take into considera-
ton the advantages we'll as the Disadvantages
of n union of the two clubs. committees VIII he
especiallv appointed for that purpose. Mr..
Berry would not say whether the project had
been preached by the oxford or the Lincoln club