Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-04-09
Union DRIVING PARK.

The time has now arrived when there
must be prompt, liberal and patriotic and
unselfsh action on the part of prominent
business men and capitalists of st. Paul
and Minneapolis if grand opportunity is
not to be lost for inaugurating most i'm
portant enterprise, and az the same time
of taking an important step forward in
the direction of aIlaying the existing ieal-
ousies, building up the dividing territory
between the two cities, and of bringing
about that closer union and greater con-
cart of action so essential to the best well
fare of both.
For moro than year past the project of
union driving park and fair grounds at
some point between the two cities, has
been agitated, and now, at this late day,
just as it began to look as if all obstacles
had been removed, and that the enterprise
would be early effected, hitch has occur
red that it is feared will result in its entire
abandonment for the present. The first
location selected by those who had taken
an interest in the matter, was exactly mid
way between the two cities, and lying be-
tween the st. Paul 81 Manitoba and Chlca-
go, Milwaukee & st. Paul roads, but it had
to be abandoned because the ground
was not adapted to the purpose. Then
Com. n. W. Kittson, with his accustomed
hberality in all matters in which st. Paul
is interested, offered to advance the neces-
sary money to purchase from a syndicate
OF owners, 120 acres of land lying little
northwest Of his celebrated Midway stock
farm. The tract of land was in every way
suited for the purposes desired, being al
most dead level, with pleasant and ct
tractive surroundings, lying directly on
the railroad, and though rather nearer st.
Paul than to Minneapolis, really as Access
slDle to the latter city as the former.
Owing to some conditions of the purchase
the consent of all the members of the syn
dictate had to be obtained. The absence
from the city of one member delayed re-
| celvlng his consent, but the matter had
| progressed so far toward favorable con-
ciusion that on Friday Com. Kittson had
made preparations for the transfer. Still
tse absent member had not been heard
from officially, and the transfer had to be
postponed. Saturday the consent of the
absent member was received by telegraph.
In all these preliminary movements the
| generally accepted understanding had been
that Col. W. S. King was to manage the
enterprise, snch management being
thought more desirable for the enterprise
and marked ability he would bring to bear
in the direction of the affairs of the asso-
citation, as well IS for the other important
fact that it would really accomplish what
was being aimed at, union of forces of
the two cities in the enterprise, and thus
| put an end to that senseless and expensive
antagonism which has prevailed in the past.
On Friday, however, Col. King visited
| Com. Kittson and other citizens of st. Paul
who had taken a warm interest in the
matter, and informed them that owing to
the pressing nature Of his private affairs
| he could under no circumstances
accept the management. He would, he
said, do all he could to promote the sue
cess of the enterprise, and urged that the
original plans of operation be carried out,
and that work be commenced at once to
put up the necessary buildings, construct
|
for fair this fall.
Col. King adhering to his decision, Com.
kittson Saturday afternoon announced
that his individual proposition for the
purchase of the land was of, but that he
was ready and willing to cooperate with
other citizens IN the purchase and in the for
nation of the association. In explanation of
| do 81 j L.
that while he felt a deep interest in the en-
terprise, as he did in everything that prom
ised to promote the best interests of St.
Paul, and always stood ready to do his full
share, he felt that without the actual identity
of Col. King in the management, that the
earnest cooperation of citizens of Min
neapolis could not be secured, and that
consequently one of the most important
objects sought TO be accomplished would
not be realized and the success of the en-
terETise be more or less jeopardized.
Such is the situation. The failure of
the present movement means the burial
of the project for union fair grounds for
years to come, the loss of great attraction
which will annually, if not semi annually,
bring many thousands of visitors who will
spend thousands and thousands of dollars
among our merchants, hotels, restaurants.
ETC., ETC., and finally, when it is actually
established, an expenditure Of two, three,
four times, or still greater sum to do it.
We agree with Com. Kittson
that it is most desirable that
Col. King should manage the association,
and we believe if the proper effort is made
he can be secured. It is by no means
necessary that The should devote all or even
any considerable portion of his time to it.
Under any circumstances We doubt if Col.
King would expect or accept unlimited
control. He would expect to cooperate
with board of directors or executive board
chosen for their fitness to represent the as
sociation. With such board and a live,
energetic secretary, in hearty sympathy
with his aims, he would be required to give
comparatively little of his personal time
to the matter, while the association
would still have the benefit of
his great experience, his rare ability, and
his great popularity. But if the matter is
arranged at all it must be done at once.
Com. Kittson has his arrangements about
completed to start East the middle of the
week to be gone month, six weeks, OF,
perhaps, even longer, and if anything is
| DONE il must he finished before he o-oas