St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-12-23
NOW FOR THE WORK.
The Grand Auditorium Fully
and Legally Put Under
Way.
Both Branches OF Council Ap-
prove Plans and Order
the Levy.
Bids for Construction to Be
Received at Ten Days
Notice.
st. Paul Now Has a Clear Field
to a Convention Vic
tory.

ST. PauPs great auditorium is no
longer a question of debate as to its
erection, the assembly last evening
having fully confirmed the action of the
board of aldermen passing the tax levy
estimate providing funds for the build
ing. and accepting the report of the spe-
cial committee appointed TO select plans
submitted by architects. All the as
sembiymen were present last evening
with the exception of Mr.. McCafferty,
and the proceedings were watched
with great interest by the 'cOm-
mittee of one hundred" and
the members of the board of aldermen,
who had been called together for the
purpose Of holding a special meeting to
adopt the report of the joint committee
on auditorium. After few unimpor-
tant matters had been disposed of, City
Clerk Prendergast read the resolution
o. the special joint committee which on
Monday last inspected the plans of the
various architects. The resolution was
as follows:
That the action of the Joint committee in
selecting Mr.. Reed as architect for enlarging
and improving the market house be, and is
hereby confirmed. aud the joint committee
on auditorium is hereby authorized TO pro
coed, as provided by the charter. with the
work at an expense not to exceed $4,000
Mr.. Costello opposed the passage of
she resolution on the ground that only
sketches of the building had been sub
mitted. and he would not vote for the eX-
penditure of a large sum Of money UNI
less proper plans and specifications
were first furnished. He deprecated
the haste which characterized the pro-
ceedingS.
Mr.. Oppenheim explained that the
resolution only called for the ratifica-
ton of the appointment OF Mr.. Reed as
the architect, and the plans would be
prepared at once.
Mr.. Costello IeplIed that the work
could not be authorized unless the spec
ificatiOnS were first presented; and UNI
less that were done he would oppose the
resolution. A sharp passage of arms
ensued between Messrs. Costello and
Oppenheim, who both spoke at the
same time, each gentleman trying to
convince the other.
The president having restored order,
Mr.. Oppenheim stated that only two
plans were before the special committee
after an inspection of all presented.
The plans were those prepared by Mr..
Reed and Mr.. JOY The committee had
selected those of Mr.. Reed in prefer
ence to those of Mr.. JOY. but there
seemed to be some difference of opinion
in the committee as to the merits Of the
plans presented. He had that day
made inquiries, and found that though
Mr.. Joy had stated 10 the committee
that his plans called for fre-proof
building, yet the contractors whom MIR.
JOY had mentioned in connection with
erecting the building had told him (A1r.
Oppenheim) that they would not erect a
tiTe-prOof building. He. the speaker,
had no personal interest in the selection
of Mr.. Reed. Ali he desired was to see
the best achitect selected. The presi-
Gent then ordered the roll to be called
upon the resolution, which had been
read. The clerk announced the result
as follows:
Yeas. 6-MesSrs. BanhOIZer. Elmqust,
McNamee, Minea, Oppenheim and Van
Slyke. Nays, 2-MesSrS. Costello and
President Murray. The vote was re-
ceived with loud applause from the gen.
tlemen who were spectators, as they re-
allied that the auditorium was practi-
cally assured.
Mr.. McNamee introduced a resolution
that the contract for the reconstructing
of the market house should provide
that all material be purchased from st.
Paul firms as far as possible. The res
OlutiOn prevailed, and Oh the motion of
Mr.. Oppenheim the assembly adj
jOurned for fifteen minutes in order to
allow the board of aldermen to hold a
brief session to pass the resolution
presented by the joint committee on
auditorium.
Aldermen Act.
President Cullen then took the chair,
and the members OF the upper house
vacated their seats in order that the
aldermen might transact business.
Aid. Melady was the only member alb
sent when the president called the
meeting TO order. The resolution of
the joint committee having been read,
Aid. Gehan introduced the following
substitute:
That the action of the joint committee in
selecting C. i. Reed as architect for the en-
largement and improvep ent of the market
house be ana is hereby confirmed. and the
city clerk, with the advice of the Joint com
mittee on auditorium, is hereby directed to
advertise for bids for the construction
thereof, giving public notice of not less than
ten days that sealed bids will be received
and opened at a fixed time ana place in the
presence of either the assembly or of the
board of aldermen.
a motion that the substitute be ac-
cepted in place of the resolution was
then put and carried unanimously, while
every alderman voted aye on the adop-
llOu Vi ln6 SUBSTITUTE.
Il move we adjourn" said Aid. San
born, and in ten minutes from the time
the board convened President Cullen
announced the board of aldermen as
standing adjourned, and President Muir
ray, of the assembly, once more called
the upper house TO order.
Assembly Acquiesces.
The city clerk reported to the as
sembly the adoption of a substitute
measure by the board of aldermen.
which was read by order of the presi-
dent.
Mr.. Costello again maintained that he
would not vote for it unless specifica-
tiOns and plans were first submitted.
He did not see how it was possible for
contractors to bid unless they had plans
and specifications to guide them.
4,,r. Oppenheim asked Architect Reed
how long it would take to prepare the
specifications, and that gentleman re-
piled that in ten days all the data could
be furnished.
A vote was then taken upon the adop-
ton Of the substitute measure passed
by the board of aldermen, and a loud
shout of victory shook the roof of the
council chamber when the result was
announced as yeas and 2 NAYS.
Messrs. Banholzer Ema1ist, Nc.
Nance, Mlnea, Oppenheim and Van
Slyke voting for it, and Messrs.
Costello and President Murray against
the measure. On the motion of MIR. Van
Slyke the name of Mr.. Costello was