Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-10-09

The jefferson Hotel Will he open Io'
the reception Of guests in the course u
n few weeks. ana We believe that IL VIII
hc found TO measure up to the higheSt
oxnectlons Of the public. II VIII be
large beautiful. and well-kept house, ana
prove n much valued addition to 'he
hotel accommodations OF Richmond.
Now we want n great public hall-cah
IL auditorium colosseum, opera-ho"se'
or what you will The substance ho'
the name Only, Is what we are ANXIOUS
about.
Richmond. with her many attractions
for visitors. and with her ample ho'e'
facilities. might become great cohN"H'o"
city if II only had a suitable public hall
that IS TO say. hall which would seat
from 500 10 1880 persons.
With halls ranging from one to TWO
Thousand seats we are we'll provided,
but we have none large enough TO ac-
commodate. as we should like to sec ac-
commodated. a Democratic state conVen-
ton.
The O'FerraIl convention Of two years
ago was held in Shelburne's warehouse
which the owners. with great pubic
spirit. consented that We might use. ana
which was fitted up for the purpose.
Had We not made that arrangement we
could not have offered the convention
han holding more than 2.00 people.
Yes; we are ill-provided in this respect
ana now that private enterprise has
given us a West-End hotel bigger and
grander than We ever dreamed Of having
land without the public being called upon
to pay a dollar in the way of subscrip-
tons we should go to work and build
us n grand public hall. We have plenty
OF money here 10 do what we want.
We know Of communities neither as popu-
lous nor as wealthy as ours which within
a month from the suggestion Of such
4 scheme as this would raise the needed
money ana put architects to work upon
drawings of the buildings. Why can't
we do as well as they would do? Why
can't We show enterprise such as theirs?
our sore need Of big hail is generally
recognized; We have the money TO build
it, ana why shouldn't we do it? We
must do it,
1t will not do for MS to postpone this
matter any longer. We ought to lay our
plans forthwith. When the jefferson is
opened We shall feel the need Of such
a hall more keenly than ever before.
An auditorium or wigwam must be built
here in which to hold the sessions Of the
United Confederate veterans next May.
We shall disappoint our southern friends
most dismally II we do not provide for
them a meeting place which will have
seats for 10000 persons and standing room
for 5000 more. Such a building We have
TO provide ana it has occurred TO MS
that possibly we might secure a suitable
building site and erect thereon a house
which could be allowed to stand. in whole
or in part. for some years TO come; till
we are ready 10 put in its place sub
stantial structural hall of granite and
glass and steel.
In this way colosseum at Houston
was built. and now they have there
spacious and convenient public hail which
will stand for many years. and which
will serve exCellently for large public
gatherings.
What Houston has done Richmond can
do There are building sites here avail
able for such a building as We have
indicated, and with the matter in the
hands OF an energetic committee, the
needed fund can be raised.
A suggestion has been made that one
OF the large buildings at the Exposition
Grounds might be converted into suit
able auditorium, but we do not think SO.
The auditorium should be upon CEN
trally-located site, whittier the masses OF
the people might 20 without having to
pay caIe-fare; where indeed the coming
and going of the people would not be
dependent upon street-car or wagon
transportation.
the public spirit and enterprise Of few.
Let the auditorium be a monument TO the
public spirit and enterprise Of the many.
Let an organization be formed which will
begin (slnCe time presses by providing
us with temporary structure. to be
substituted later by an architectural pile
which shall vie in grandeur with any
other public building here.
There isn't much time to be talking
this matter over. The necessity for ac-
ton is crOWding upon us.