St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-11-13
Chamber Of Commerce Mem
bers Talk Over the Semi
Centennial,
And Listen to an Outline Cele-
bration by Charles E. Nc
Kean.
How st. Paul Can Properly
Commemorate It's Fiftieth
Anniversary.
Joint Meeting Of Citizens Will
Decide Upon the Fes-
tiVal.

1nere is every prospect OF demon
stration of the semi-centenial celebra-
ton of st. Paul which will be BETTING
the marvellous growth of the city. Fifty
years ago this month St. Paul consisted
of few log cabins situated on the river
bank; to-day it is a city of 200, eco
inhabitants. with almost every in
dustry known to the civilized wo.ld.
A committee composed of f. V.
Snlalley. w. p. ClOugh. q. G.. Souires.
Z. NJ. Griggs and A. NJ. Peabody met
yesterday afternoon at the chamber of
commerce to consider the question of
winter festival outside of an ice palace,
and talk over the proposed semi-centen-
NAL. 1t was decided TO recommend a
joint meeting 10 be composed of the
mayor and delegates from the city coun-
ell, the chamber of commerce,
the JObberS' union. Junior Pioneers,
and the Commercial club 10
definitely decide upon the matter.
Charles Z. Mexican appeared before the
committee, and in speech laid before
them the following outline of semi
centennial celebration:
will base what 1 have to say upon two
propositions:
First-That the great majority of the PEG
pie OF st. Paul wish 10 have some kind of
public demonstration during the coming
winter.
Second-That most of them do not want an
ice palace. What, then. shall be the charac-
ter or the demonstration?
l have to propose the celebration of the
semi-centennial jubilee of the city of st.
Paul-an anniversary momentous not alone
10 US, or 10 the Inhabitants OF the Northwest
but as well to every thoug citizen of the
republic propose Il celebration significant
i'll motive and dignitied in form. while at the
same time calculated TO advance The material
interests OF our city, both immediate and
future
AS to the form of this demonstration |
shall not presume To do more than present a
bare outline, caDsble of almost indefinite ex-
pansion and Improvement ] would suggest
a three-day celebration. embracing the fol
lowing features:
First Day-Reception and reunion of OLD
settlers Of the Northwestern states and their
descendants, eliminating in Jubilee ora
ton by some speakeC Of national reputation
npOn some such theme as THE Making of
the Northwest" On the evenings of The
first and second days a musical festival in
the Peoples church. participated III By our
own home talent, supplemented by the best
that can be had in the entire country In
this connection let me say that the president
of the st Paul Choral union assures me that
that organization could arrange such 2 fesri-
val. provided the necessary expenses were
taken care of by the Genital committee plac-
ing upon toe platform 359 Well-tr fined
singers. and that all orchestra of sixty pieces
iirSt-ciaSS musicians all. could be made IN in
the Twin Cities. Of course. soma vocal ana
instrumental soloists would have to be gotten
from Chicago. Milwaukee and other points.
The president also assures me that the st
Paul Choral union would enter most hearnlv
into the occasion.
Second Day-Grand Jubilee procession con-
ssiing of tableaux illustrative of the success
sive STAGES of our development representa-
tons of early frontier life living illustra-
tons of dress and customs of the various
itary ana uniformed societies, and above all
a complete display of the number magni-
tude, methods and products OF the CONNER
cial and manufacturing industries of ST
Paul. Here let me say that the president of
the German Turner societies has told me that
he has no doubt that they and ali other Ger
man organizations wouid enter most enthu-
siasiically into such display and I believe
that the same may be said of our feilow-citi-
Zens of French, Italian, Scandinavian and
Bohemian origin. Let this procession be re-
viewed by the governors of Minnesota, Wis
consin, the two Dakotas and Montana If il
IS Impossible, owing to congress being in
session to secure the attendance OF the presi-
dent. we could no doubt have one or more
members of the cabinet as honored guests.
Third Day-COmpetitiye winter sports upon
the frozen surface of the Mississippi
curling tournament of unusual interest is
already being arranged for, and ii would no
doubt be arranged that this should be the
leading feature of the third days sports Let
the closing evening be marked by magnif-
cent illumination Of bridges and both banks
of the river pyrotechnic displays, torchlght
professions of sleighs and flambeau clubs
upon its snowy surface
What are the ends to be attained by such a
celebration: Chiefly these, as it seems to me:
First-To reiuspire our own people with
enthusiasm for our city and faith in her
future.
Second-To emphasize anew in the eyes of
the people of this section and of the nation
at large the position of 81. Paul as the metro
poitan center of the great Northwest
The times are ripe for some such move
ment Never were our business men, old
and young. so well organized or so hard at
work for 81. Paul. Never were haryesis
greater or prospects brighter. Never had we
more fully I'm hand the musical ard other
forces necessary to make such q celebration
q glorious success.
1t is proposed to hold the Joint meet
ing next "Wednesday afternoon.