The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-06-26
OF CONVENTIONS
INDIANAPOLIS NOT COvETIyG Ell
THEIR OF THE 1900 EVENTS.
National Political Gatherings a Lit
tie Too Large-Christfan En-
deayorer Gathering.

The advisability OF inviting one of the ma
tional political conventions-notably the Re
publican convention--to Indianapolis has
been discussed in certain quarters during
the last week. indianapolis is already
known all over the country as "a convention
city," and. 1t Is argued, IL the Republican
national convention were held here Indian
apolis would become known as "the conven-
ton city" On the other hand, the conten-
ton has sprung up that Indianapolis has
not found it profitable TO be "a convention
city" Interviews were sought yesterday
with Elijah 3. Martindale, ex-president of
the Board of Trade, and William e. En-
glish, president OF the Commercial Club, as
TO their views on the project to attempt to
bring the Republican national convention to
this city next year.
IF the Republican national convention
were held here said Mr.. Martindale, "it
would. no doubt, advertise Indianapolis as
II has never been advertised before, but
there is a question as to whether Indian
apolis needs more of that particular kind Of
advertising. There is much outspoken op-
position to the continued attempt to have
al kinds of conventions held here. The mer-
chants have not found them at all profta-
bic. l think the Republican national con-
vention would leave more money in indian
apolis than it would cost TO entertain 1t, but
/ doubt that the compensation could be
equitably distributed. Many indianapolis
business men are tired Of being continually
asked to contribute to convention funds.
and 1t Is a fact that the same class of peo-
pie Is asked TO contribute TO every conven-
ton fund.
THE hotel accommodations of indianapolis
are hardly equal to a Republican national
convention. Besides. a central location
must be found for a building in which to
hold the convention This would be hard to
do here. 1 do not think the open ground at
Senate and Kentucky avenues is large
enough. Ii would cost, probably, $4,000 TO
erect such a building. 1t is the custom for
the city In which the convention Is held to
pay the expenses OF the committee, and
Lney would likely run up 10 another $500.
The printing would cost l 1900. / think a
1air estimate OF the expense of the conven-
uon would be $4,000. II would be difficult to
city, and those who would be asked to con-
tribute a large part Of the fund would not
be the ones who would get a fair return,
though L believe the convention would spend
more than N0,OW in the city. IL must also
be taken into consideration that 1t is gen.
orally understood the Republican convention
will renominate President Mckinley by ac-
ciamation. This will have a lessening eff
reci on the attendance at the convention
N ChCCl OA tAC lsoACy
spent In the convention city.
This subject Is one of too much i'm
portance to be decided hastily. and ! for enc
would think II over a long time before i
advised in favor of inviting the convention
TO come here. OF course. there is no COM
parison between the Epworth convention
and the Republican national convention. /
presume Chicago's new auditorium win be
finished In time for the convention. and /
think 1t likely that Chicago will have no
trouble In securing the convention for
itself"
MIR ENGLISH OF SAME OPINION.
Mr.. English's opinions are much the same
as those held by Mr. Martindale. II have
been out Of the city," he said, "and have
not heard this matter talked of. 1 would
be glad to help If it were decided to invite
either Of the big conventions to Indianap-
oils. I hardly think, however. that Indian
apolis Is quite ready to entertain a national
political convention. The city's hotel ac-
commodations are ample for Indianapolis,
but not for a national political convention.
In the country capable of handling a ma
tional political convention properIy-New
York and Chicago. l would not say that 1t
to entertain the convention, and / doubt
that 1t would be profitable"
Those who have urged that the city in
vite the Christian Endeavor Society to hold
Its convention here in 1901 have been ad-
vised by members of the Commercial Club
10 wait until the Epworth League conven-
ton is over and the merchants count up
and discover whether or not they have lost
the amounts they subscribed to the conven-
ton fund. The Commercial Club is finding
Ii a difficult task TO raise the 5000 Ii PROM
ised to help pay the expenses OF the Ep-
worthians' meeting. II Is pointed out by
business men that unless the Epworth
League convention comes up to the mark
in returns the local Christian Endeavorers
will receive little encouragement from the
merchants to invite their International con-
vention here.
Rev. Charles c. Lasby said at one time
that the Epworth convention would leave
$4,000 in the city. At another time he said
he thought it might be $500, 900. Edwin A.
Schell, of Chicago, general secretary of the
Epworth League, said there would be 40, 1000
Epworthians in the city during the conven-
ton and they would spend on an average of
$40 each, making a total Of 100000.