St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-28
ASSEMBLYMEN WHO VOTED TO AC-
CEPT NH. RAUEN,S BID RE-
CONSIDER TT.
THE SPICE OF THE EVENING
FURNISHED BY MIR. JOHNSON, WHO
FELT HURT At THE DAILY
GLOBE.
ABOUT MIR. BICKEL
Brought Labered Explanation
From the Man Who Has Cham
pf0ned the Lease.

The assembly remained in session
was all devoted to a discussion of the
market house question, the meeting be-
ing called for that purpose. The talk
merely resulted in recalling the action
of the previous meeting, whereby the
bid of Nicholas Rauen was ac-
cepted, and laying the matter on the
table
Nothing new was said. Mr.. Johnson
and others, who advocated the Rauen
proposition, offered the same argu-
ments, and Mr.. Parker reiterated the
ground of his objections to leasing the
market house property, and repeated
his argument in support of his resolu-
ton to advertise for a site for and the
erection Of public library building.
1t was tedious session
Mr.. Johnson furnished the ONLY spice
of the evening. Holding a Glob e
clipping in his hand, Mr. Johnson read
the article that first informed the pub
lie that William Bickel was backing
the Rauen proposition. Mr.. Johnson
seemed to think that the article was
calculated to arouse suspicion as to his
motives in the transaction. Squirmfng
VI y t,
Mr.. Johnson denied emphaticaIIy that
he had ever acted while in the council
from any motive but that of the best
interests Of the city. Mr.. Johnson con-
sidered that the article in question
branded him unjustly. He declared
that he was ignorant that Bickel had
any connection with the Rauen propo-
sition until a very few days ago,
whereas he, Johnson, had always sup
ported the Rauen proposition, and had
strongly advocated advertising for
bids. In conclusion, Mr.. Johnson sub
m1tted that his conduct as a member
of the common council had always
been above reproach and suspicion.
Before entering upon any discussion
of the subject in hand, Mr.. Johnson
raised two points; one as to whether
anybody but the mayor could call
special meeting Of either body of the
council, and second, whether general
business could be transacted at a
special meeting. Neither question was
formally decided then and there.
though Assistant Corporation Attor-
ney Phillips said that the latest law
he could find at the time provided that
the mayor only could call a special
meeting of the council. But, notwith-
standing that last nights meeting
was called by thee assemblymen and
not by the mayor, the assemblymen
proceeded to discuss the market house
question
Mr.. Phillips assured the body at
the outset that the council could not
lease the market house property or
any other city property except by an
ordinance adopted by a three-fourths
vote Of each body.
The. Rauen proposition was then re-
considered by tacit consent. and the
whole subject was whipped over
again and again. Emil Geist read a
petition, signed by 12O business men,
favor1ng the Rauen proposition
Mr.. Johnson maintained that 1t was
the wrong time to sell the market
house property, and that the council
that would do such a thing at the
present time would be cursed in the
future. 1t would be better to defer
the erection Of a library building until
prosperous times return.
Mr.. Lewis opposed the Rauen
scheme on the ground that the city
could make the same improvements
and realize the same returns.
Mr.. Strouse reiterated his opposition to the
scheme, and said that he would vote against
1t again. Mr.. Parker repeated his argument
in favor Of the library building plan.
Walter Holcomb, Mr.. Rauen's attorney said
that Mr.. Rauen would be willing to leave his
bid in the hands of the council for time, not
to exceed six months, in order that the city
Mr.. Van Slyke did not think there was any
immediate necessity for public library build
ing. He instanced the fact that Chicago's
public library was located in it's court house,
after the population had reached 800 600, and
he believed that st. Paul's library and its
patrons could be accommodated in the court
house until the city had attained a popula-
ton of 5000 GEO, especially if the present condi-
lions prevailed.
The discussion was about to close at this
point, but at the suggestion of Mr.. Lewis.
George Benz Sr. was accorded the floor Mr.
Benz declared his opposition to leasing the
market house for any term of years. He then
proceeded to make some suggestions to the
assembly, but after he had talked for about
ten minutes, President Copeland said:
If you have suggestions to offer. Mr.. Benz,
you can make them to the committee on
public buildings and markets instead of TAX
ing up the time of the assembly,
Mr.. Benz thanked the president, sarcastic
cally, and sat down, whereupon the assembly
adjourned, having wearied of the discussion.
$4,000 to Alaska.