St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1896-02-23
INnIGN AWAKENING.

INDIGNATION AWAKENING.
Whatever may be the vote Of the
library building by disposing of the
market house property, there is only
one opinion and one feeling with re
spect to the Infamous proposition to
make a present of the market house
for the next three years to a private
citizen in order that it may be brought
into competition with other property
that pays taxes to the city. Apparently
the argument that forced this thing
through the assembly against the best
judgment, we are sure, of nearly all
of its members was the statement that
the market house property would other
wise be used for starting another de-
partment store. 1t is extraordinary
that such an argument should have
weight with any honest and intelligent
man. Leaving out of consideration the
effect Of the department store upon
public and private interests, and also
the very doubtful possibility of the
market house property being put to
such use in any event, the singular
fact is that the scheme to lease it for
three years at a nominal figure covers
the practical establishment of the de-
partment store system on the prem
ises. The only difference is that,
whereas, In one case a rental of $780,
900 year would be guar anteed by re-
sponsible parties, in the other case
the sole profit of the operation would
pass into the hands of a private lessee.
How does this gentleman who wants
control of the market house expect to
make it worth his while? He purposes
it is said, to lower the floor to a level
with the street, to divide the interior
into numerous stalls and booths, and
to rent these to vendors of various
commodities at such a figure as will
line his own pockets If this plan be
carried out, there would be found with
in the old market house. inside of a
few months, as many different depart
ments as there are in any large con-
Germ in the city. Nobody supposes
that all of these stalls will be taken
by dealers in meats and vegetables. AS
far as they are so taken, such dealers
would compete with the butchers and
grocers all over the city who occupy
private property, that must pay rent
and taxes. Every kind of firm might
put in branch shop in the market
house building, attracted there by a
possibility of cheap rents. That is to
Say, the market house property, under
these circumstances, would become a
great department store consisting of
numerous small divisions, instead Of
under one central management Ab-
solutely the only difference be-
tween this proposition and that
submitted by Mr.. Campbell, on
behalf of Schuneman & Evans,
is that in one case the hand
some revenue to be derived would go
into the city treasury, and in the other
case it would be made a gift by the
There is but one opinion of this scan
dalous project among our people; and.
could 1t find means of expression, no
member of either branch Of the CITY
council would dare to stand against it.
If the market house property can be
disposed ofadvantageously at the pres
ent time, it would be well to do it. 1t
can do no harm to try, even though
Into competition with business prop
erty, to the great detriment of the
owners of adjacent buildings, and to
the injury to business throughout the
city, then let the city at least assume
the proceeds. There is a public opin-
ion in st. Paul that will not tolerate
or permit such a fragrant violation of
propfiety and of public right as the
to private hands for term of three
years, to be worked for all that there
is in it,. We are just beginning to
understand the constant danger that
besets the city in maintaining this
property as a lure to all sorts of
speculations, and an Indictment to con-
slant assault upon. the council to secure
its appropriation directly or indirectly
to private uses. Sooner. or later pub
lie vigilance will relax a little, and
some such deal will be consummated.
The vote in the. assembly last week
is stronger than all ether arguments
put together as a reason for the speed
lest disposal of the market house