St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-26

night. it has been found impossible to
give suitable battalion drill in the old
armOry. Then the quarters are made
Quate to give each of the four COM
panies suitable accommodations for
their equipments and for meeting pur-
poses.
1t is also proposed to organize a cav
airy company. The reason that this has
not been done heretofore is that there
is no suitable place to drill such a force.
1t has been well known by the people
that st. Paul has
STOOD Al THE VERY FRONT
in the military spirit in this state. Her
national guards have been justly re-
garded with pride at home, and have
won mertoriOus dis tinctiOn abroad.
Their summer encampments at Lake
City nave become popular. All these
facts and others that might be men
toned have been subjects of such gen
eral comment that it has aroused the
patriotism of the pubic-spirited men of
means in the city to such an extent that
they have determined to do the hand
some thing by the boys in blue and give
them a substantial testimonial of their
appreciation. The plan is nothing less
than to secure long lease of suitable
ground and erect large and
commodious arinory. If necessary
funds can be secured to serve as a
starter for the purpose, the work will
he greatly facilitated, as il is not prOba-
bic that the legislature would make an
appropriation in aid thereof. The build
ing designed is to be thr e stories in
height. The basement is to be used for
Stabling the horses for the cavalry. 1t
will be necessary TO have one place for
taking care of tile horses, as it is pro-
posed that those who belong to that
department. while furnishing their own
horses, will not be permitted to use them
for any other purpose. Lit would there
fore be preferable to keep them to-
gether, where they could be cared for
at the least possible expense.
A SUITABLE STRUCTURE.
The first floor of the building would
be used for drill purposes, both for the
cavalry and the infantry. The second
floor is designed for company rooms, in
which the arms and accoutrements
could be stored. On this floor would be
the reception, reading and smoking
rooms-ranging around balcony which
surrounds the entire building for the
purpose of accommodating the specta-
t0rs while the drilling exercises on the
first floor were in progress. The third
story would be fitted up as a gym
nasium.
Such building is what the national
guards of Minnesota have needed for
| some time. 1t has now become neces-
| Sary to have larger quarters. The pros
pective growth of the guards will be
retarded without such or similar pro-
| vision. The plan proposed has met
with hearty approval wherever dis
cussed. The only thing now in the way
of its becoming reality is the cooper
alton of sufficient number of capital
| ISIS in erecting the building. 1t should
be done by donations anu given to the
| military organization under the control
of a proper board of managers. Then
the funds raised by renting the armory
| from time to time, for I-ills, would be a
source of revenue. This revenue could
be applied To the expenses of maintain
| ing the military of the city. There is
| little doubttha the construction of such
building would be financial success
| as private enterprise. Besides, st,
Paul would Then have suitable place
fol conventions and other large gather
ings at moderate cost.