New-York tribune., 1896-05-15
A NEW UNIVERSITY CLUBHOUSE.
NEARLY UNANIMOUS ACTION BY THE MEM
BERSLTHE COUNCILS RECOMMEN-
DATIONS APPROVED

The members OF the University Club, at largely
attended meeting held In the clubhouse last night.
resolved By a nearly unanimous vote upon the re-
moval OF the club. and agreed 10 the recommenda-
tions submitted to them by the Council, as the
governing body OF the club is termed. for the ac-
QUESTION OF a plot Of land whereon to build a
home on the northwest corner OF Fifth-ave. and
Fifty-fourth-st., until recently occupied by st.
Lukes Hospital. James W. Alexander. the pres-
dent of the club occupied the chair.
The proposal for removal did not pass without
opposition from a part of the older element OF the
club, but the advantages, which were explained In
the course of the meeting. TO be derived from the
adoption Of the project proved to be more weighty
than the objections and in the end the vote was
almost solid in favor Of the removal
The plan presented to the members last night was
resolved upon by the Council of the club only after
a long and earnest consideration The members Of
that body recognizing that the best interests Of the
club were dependent upon active progressive pol
Icy. formulated. the principal basis OF such
policy. a plan for the removal OF the clubhouse
especially for the purpose Of securing Increased ac
commodations In recent years the club has felt
severely the restrictions imposed by Its present
quarters. and many members have not hesltated to
declare that continuance Of the prevailing cond
tions would gradually but none the less inevitably
lead TO the loss of the clubs prestige and It's posi-
ton n representative of the universities and COL
leges throughout the country. The constitutional
limit for resident members Is l,2W ana fOr nom
resident members 900. Meanwhile there Is walt
ing list of 56O applicants for membership. How Few
In comparison with this number yearly added TO
the rolls Is explained by the fact that on an av-
erage the vacancies caused by death and resigna-
tion do not exceed sixty year or barely per cent
OF the entire membership While 1t is true that the
reaching of the limit OF membership carries with II
a satisfactory degree OF financial prosperity, the
Council pointed out that so small percentage OF
new members did not furnish that constant add-
ton of younger members that was essential TO the
interests and influence Of club representing the
Intellectual force OF liberal education in this coun-
try.
The price to DC paid for the property was announced
al the meeting 10 be while II was estimated
that further 10000 would be required 10 erect
a building with adequate accommodation for the en-
larged membership which the proposal embraces
The clcb has a cash balance In hand OF So,vo
but In what manner II proposed to meet the
necessary outlay the new quarters was not
made public last night. The Councifs plan con-
templates a six-story building which IN ADDITION
10 the usual rooms shall contain a nreproof IL
brarv 10 hold the rapidly increasing collection OF
books belonging TO the institution now exceeding
IL 00 volumes with convenient inches or apart
mcnis for quiet study. sleeping rooms with baths
attached: a swimming tank, together with Turkish
and ordinary baths: and In addition TO these lux
urlous provisions a roof garden bliarl-room bowl
ng alleys and A storage place for bicycles. with
the aid OF new members II is thought BY the Coun-
ell that the funds acquire the property. nhintain
the same and meet the annual expenses can be
provided without any Increase In the present yearly
dues.