The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-14
FOR A BIG AUDITORIUM.
SUGGESTION IN CONNECTION WITH
THE CONFEDERATE REUNION.
Colonel Murphy Propose That one be Built
In Time for the Reunion Next Year.
To Cost About sf5, 1000.

The annual grand reunion of the Unit
ed Confederate veterans will meet in this
city next May. In view of this import
ant fact Lee Camp recently appointed
an Executive Committee TO make ar
rangefnents for the entertainment Of the
Confederate Visitors, when they shall
again enter the ers.while capital OF the
tOnfederacy.
This committee was empowered TO add
new committees to itself. 1t accordingly
asked the cooperation Of an Executive
Committee from Pickett Camp. and these
two committees in turn Will ask the CO.
operation of the Chamber Of Commerce
and other bodies. The first question
which arose, one which has been al
ready freely and generally discussed is.
where are the visitors to be entertained!
COLONEL MUEPHY's IDEA.
Colonel John Murphy, a member OF the
Committee from Lee Camp. has hit upon
plan which appears TO be no. only
feasible one but also which will serious
ly recommend itself to the citizens Of
Richmond. Colonel Murphy proposes that
large Wiewam or auditorium with
seating capacity Of from ten TO twelve
thousand people, be built upon the Expo
sition Grounds.
II this IS done. Mr.. Fisher has promised
that he Will give the very best electric
railway facilities for reaching and lcav-
ing the Epostion Grounds. he will
run his cars from Main down Strawber-
~ street to the grounds. and from there
he will run his cars down Broad 10 Har-
rison street. This will enable every cleo
trio car in the city to reach the grounds,
and 81 will be at once seen that any per-
son, no matter IN what part of the city
he may live. will have direct and easy
access to the grounds.
HOW TIE MONEY WILL BE RAISED.
1t is proposed that $4,000 dollars shall
be raised for the purpose Of building the
wigwam which should be built at
cost Of about $4,000, leaving the rest FOR
the entertainment Of the visitors. OF this
amount the city will most probably be
asked to appropriate $1,000. while the rest
will be raised by popular subscription.
WHERE n Will BE BUfLr.
The Exposition Grounds is undoubtedly
the most suitable place for the cree
ton OF this proposed auditorium. The
city owns some 10000 IN stock in the IN
position Grounds, besides being security
for the interest on $1,000, which was
borrowed.
The city Of Richmond should have
some large auditorium, as at present it
is unable to entertain any large gather
ing or c0nE entiOn on this acc0unt
The large wigwam erected last year
for the Moody revival cost about $1,000.
the Sam Jones tabernacle built some
years ago, opposite Richmond College
cost q similar sum. while the last gu
bern ational convention cost no smalI
amount. Now. If the city had some suit
able and permanent auditorium, this ex-
pense would be avoided as II can be
l,,+ &c in,
building a place for each large gath
ering than q permanent auditorium
would cost
IL the city possessed one Richmond
would secure a number Of large gather
ings and conventions that would re-
suit not only 10 the city's financial bet
terment. but also to its reputation as
wide-awake business city.
The Exposition Grounds IS the place
most suitable The city owns large
interest in the grounds and besides II Is
rapidly growing in that direction. AT
the recent annual reunion held IN Hous-
ton, that city OF only 1000 persons built
an auditorium with a seating capacity
OF 1000. and it was built outside OF the
city limits at a greater distance than the
Exposition Grounds are from Richmond
No lot could be secured I'm the city tnat
would be more suitable than the Fair
Grounds. or that would be as cay Of
access To all the citizens.
MANY GREAT BENEFITS.
The many benefits that would accrue
to the city II such a building were erect
ed. are obvious. The Democratic Con
vention could be invited here, besides
other large gatherings, which al present
Is out OF the question. II must be re-
membered that between eight and ten
thousand veterans are expected 10 gath
or here next May. and the reunion VIII
be a complete hzzle unless the city has
some building sufficiently large for this
body TO gather IN at one time.
TIE COMMITTEE At WORK.
The committee Is AT present hard AT
work upon the scheme but no definite
organization will be effected until Sep
TENDER, when the project will be visor-
ousiy pushed forward. Colonel Murphy
said that he was willing 10 give 500 Of
the $1,000 that It IS proposed to raise
by popular subscription.
No doubt the public spirited citizens Of
Richmond will generously follow suit
and the wigwam win be built as 81 should
be.