St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-10-08
AN AUDITORIUM,

Although some details remain to be
arranged, it is practically settled that
the next national educational conyen-
ton will be held in this city. Yester-
day the chamber of commerce, repre-
Senting the business interests of the
city, united in the cordial invitation
that had previously been extended by
the state legislature and the city coun-
ell to the National Educational aSsocia-
ton to hold the next session in this city,
and promised to provide the accOmmo-
dations that Will be required for such
large assemblage. If the executive
committee OF the association can make
satisfactory arrangements with the rail-
roads respecting rates, as they Will un-
Questionably be able to do, we will
have the nations educators with
us next summer. For great
many years the National Educational
association seemed to regard itself as a
strictly Eastern concern, and no effort
was made to have its sessions held in
Western city. But after session had
been held at Madison the ASSOCIATION
seemed to awaken to the necessity for
giving some attention to Western edu-
catiOnal matters. and since that time it
has become more national in its aims
and scope. Now there is positive de-
sire on the part of the educators to
meet IN the metropolis of the North
west and we should see to it that they
are entertained in such royal style
when they do come as to make them
want to come back again.
Incidental to this subject, we want to
make suggestion which, in our opin-
ion, merits the Immediate consideration
of our st. Paul citizens. 1t is as to the
ACCESSIBILITY of erecting an auditorium
building. a scheme that has been dis
cussed quite frequently, and as often
allowed to collapse. We revive a dis
cussion of it at this time because of the
almost imperative necessity for having
such a building to accommodate this as
semblage of national educators. The
lack of such building came very near
losing to US the next educational con-
vention, and is most certainly the cause
OF our missing a great many conven-
tions and public gatherings of ma
tiOnal character that would otherwise
be held in this city. We venture the
assertion that what this city has lost
within the last three years for the
lack OF suitable building to accOmmo-
date large conventions and assemblages
has eQualed the amount of the cost of
such a structure. Is it wisdom to pur-
sue this losing policy, or would it not be
better for our people to at once set TO
work to erect an auditorium, in the full
confidence that within the next three
years it would be the means of attract
ing an increase of visitors to our city
sufficient to pay us for the cost of con-
struction? The necessity for having an
auditorium is admitted by all. Then
there should be no sort of hesitation in
devising some plan to raise the money
for putting it up. The money is mere
in abundance. there is plenty Of ground
to bnild it on, and all that is lacking
to have the auditorium is for some pub
lic-spirited, enterprising person to take
hold of the scheme and push il. Ii no
other plan will avail, the money can be
raised by popular subscription in sums
Of SO and upwards; for there is not a
business man in the city, whether in the
wholesale or retail trade, or whether he
be a mechanic or professional man,
but would feel that he would be di-
rectly benefited. and would be disposed
to subscribe as literally as his means
would Justify. 1t is in the nature of a
reproach to our spirit of enterprise that
our wealthy st. Paul citizens should be
generously contributing their thousands
to make the Chicago fair a success, and
at the same time permit our own city to
suffer for the lack of public building
that is absolutely essential to the city'S
prosperity. Again we call upon the
Dublic-spirited citizens of our city to
awaken to sense of their duty in this
matter.