The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-08
EVIDENTLY In EARNEST.
TheNEffort to Secure the National Con-
ventions for indianapolis.
Plans for Suitable Buildings, and Estimates
of Their Probable Cost-Committees
Appointed to Solicit Funds

The meeting at the Grand Hotel last night for
the purpose OF taking further action in the effort
to secure the holding of the next Republican
national convention in Indianapolis was de-
voted chiefly to the consideration OF providing
the necessary accommodations. Mayor Grubbs
was called to the chair, and Joseph E. Cobb was
chosen secretary.
A. D. Lynch, president of the Board of
Trade, in speaking of the matters which
the meeting should give attention to,
stared that he had attempted to
gather something OF an idea of the size of the
building that would be required for a national
convention, and had obtained from Peter ROu-
tier an approximate estimate OF the cost OF sueh
the crowd. Mr.. Routier estimated that build
ing for temporary use, with a seating capacity
of 10000, could be erected for 81 5000. and,
with proper care, he added, about $4,000 might
be realized from the sale Of the material.
Colonel Eli Lilly suggested that the proposed
public hall ana armory which the champ
ment committee intended erecting, would
be the most commodious building
that could be provided, and he thought 1t the
most feasible plan. The main hall would be
130x131 feet in size, and, with the gallery,
would comfortably seat $500 persons. On the
IS feet in size, and on the first floor six rooms,
15x45 feet In size, all of which could be ad-
vantageously utilized as committee headquart-
The building would be constructed of brick
and iron, and the estimated cost is $4,000
The size, by the outside measurements, would
be IS by 1876 feet. There is now in bank, Colonel
Lilly said, sufficient amount OF money to
pay all the expenses of getting the work prepar-
atory to construction in shape. With the 3d.
900 which would be required to erect a structure
for only temporary use, and with what money
could be raised by stock subscriptions, enough
could be secured to defray the expense of put.
ting up a permanent public building. 1t would
have larger seating capacity than any other
structure now in the West. 1t could De built, he
thought, in from ninety days to four months
time. Stock Investments in such build
ing could, he believed, be made 10
M m oil vivid nnd hn a M pn
building and could be made to answer the pur-
poses of great public hall for all future time.
During political campaigns 1t could be rented to
the two political parties for their public meet
inge, and the rental from this source would
probably amount to 1000. With the contribu-
tions which could be obtained from the citizens
and the stock subscriptions which could be Sc.
cur red the building could be erected, and it
would be a better investment for the city than
temporary structure simply for the one occasion.
Horace Mckay said that the people had grown
tired of contributing TO projects OF temporary
benefit, and the armory building would be
structure in which the people would take enough
pride to give literally TO aid in it's construction
building on exhibition. He urged that If the city
is in earnest in her effort to secure the conven-
ton, the citizens should take hold of the matter
Mr. Lynch regarded the armory hall PROPOSE
ton the most feasible. In the mat
ter of the tnot tTd s OF ths mo-
as he had gathered, the assurance could be given
that the hotels can accommodate fully 10000
Mayor Grubbs advised the sending of COM
mittee to Washington, without any delay, TO
urge the claims of the city as the place for the
holding of the convention.
A motion was adopted providing for the ap-
pointment of committee to make an immedi-
ate canvass of the city, and learn how many
persons could be accommodated by the hotels
and bOarding-houses. The members of the
committee are Colonel Eli Lilly, Brainard
Rorison Peter F, Bryce, James Cullins,
A R. Hyde and Horace Mckay. The commit
tee was instructed to make canvass of the ho-
tells and boarding -houses this morning.
committee was also appointed to solicit sub
scriptions to the guarantee fund for the build
ing of a hall for the use of the convention, the
members of it consisting of Col. James A. Wild
man, Col. W. f. Holloway, John c. g. Harrison,
]. G. Adams. Theo. P. Haughey, Henry Coburn.
Col. J. A Closer. Capt George W. Johnson, G.
c. Webster and N s. Byram.
Col. Lilly reported that he had received as
surances that two Of the principal railroads CEN
the building of the proposed armory and public
hall
1t was decided to hold a mass meeting of the
citizens at the Board of Trade hall to-day at IL
O'clock, to act finally in the movement for seeur-
ing the convention. =
The committee on hotels will meet this morn
ing at $50 o'clock at the Grand Hotel, and the
committee on the guarantee fund for the public
hall will meet at the same hour at the office of
Postmaster Wildman. b.
The following call for the final meeting was
issued last night:
INDIANAPOLIS, Dec. 8, 1883.
Flatterng assurances have been received that
if the proper efforts made by our people, the
meRUing OF the Republican national convention
may be held in this city. 1t lis therefore urgently
requested of the business men of indianapolis
that they assemble at the Board of Trade hall,
this day, at ~ O'Clock, noon, for the purpose of
taking such action as may be necessary to seizure
the national convention in this HI city; 49,
A. D. LYNCH, President Board of Trade.
The School Commissioners.
The Board OF School Commissioner met last