The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-12-22
LAW and FACTS STATED
CITY COUNCIL ANENT
ARMORY PLANS
oNE-s1xTH soF APPROPRIATION
Made by State for It's Militia, Is
Spent, He Says, ON the Com
pantes Located in
st. Paul.

Inc situation in regard to the improv-
ed armory which is now under considera-
tlon by the assembly is covered in a COM
nlunlcatlon recently sent to that body by
AoJt Gen. lambert, of which the fol-
lowing is a copy.
since the common council of the city of
st. Paul is about to take action on the
proposed arm6ry Tease, a subject in which
the members 0f%the National guard and
tneir friends are deeply concerned, and
HnlCh Is OF interest to the citizens of ST.
fauI generally, 1 deem it not important
20 make a brief statement of the matter.
Complying with chapter 81, General Laws
OF 1881, entitled 'An act to provide suita-
Matlonal guard approved April 20, 1891,
me the cities of st. Paul, Minnea polls, Du-
Iuth, Wlnona and other cities and towns
where companies of the National guard
Ire stationed, have made provision for
lne erecuon or rental of armories. In
most instances, notably in st. Paul, the
S aaIoa1lory mas been rented by the city since
1881, for the use of the several comma
MES, under a lease to be renewed from
year 10 year, presumably because of lack
OF power on the part of the city to enter
tIlt9 contract or lease for longer term
ana mus secure better accommodations.
nile the members of the National
guard are deeply grateful to the city
council of st. Paul for its action in this
ana ana FORMER years, they have, neverthe-
Iess, peen impressed by the fact that 9TH
81 cues In the East, and as far West as
portland, Or, display with pride and
PolIiI out TO visitors splendid armorieSs
equipped win gymnasium, shower bath
SHoollng galleries, etc, where their sons
receive the physical and mental training
SO essential in the makeup of a man and
sood citizen. 1t was realized that the
Caty OF OF Paul, with many other munie-
lpal wants to supply, could not at the
present time assume the erection of en-
armory such as its citizens would desire
10 possess; on the other hand, private
capital did not care to enter into the en-
tefprlse with no absolute certainty of a
lGase Ior more than one year, since the
cry NAG no power to enter into con-
tract Of longer duration
LEGISLATURE ENACTMENT.
The legislature was appealed to. and
its session of 1889: '0' O.
For the purpose of providing armories
LOT ore or more organizations of the ma
uonal guard, any city, village or town
may enter mtg q contract or lease for
q period OF not exceeding fifteen years"
SECTION c, 6, chapter 81, Laws of 1899
rms additional grant of power for
specific purpose, has been held by the
attorney general in his official opinion,
dated Dec. Z, 1900, to remain in force in
the city of st. Paal, Notwithstanding the
hvered copy of the opinion to the sirst
assistant corporation attorney of st. Paul,
and am unOficially advised by him that
he concurs therein. The way would
a modern a1mory without material addi-
ton to the burdens of the city.
me annual rent heretofore paid to
the st. Paul Arfflory association for the
use of the armory and drill hall was
$500. including light, fuel, insurance.
armorer. etc. In anticipation of further
action under the act of 1899, and the
erection of handsome stone and brick
structure OF increased dimensions and ca
Faclty on the enlarged site of the old
pudding, the conference committee st it's
500, making a total of 1000, which action
was ratified by the city council
In accordance with section one of the
act OF 1891, the board therein provided,
and commanding officers therein desig-
mated, and whose duty it is to make rec
concentrations to the city council, met
at the mayors office Dec. 5. 1900 and
unanimously reeeN4mended that the civ
enter into lease at the rate fixed by
the conference Committee and approved
py the city council, for the term of f1f-
teen years, under the act of 1899.
STEPS ALREADY TAKEN.
The corporation attorney has been. re-
a suit2 Bile form of lease and resolution
approving the same to be submitted to
the city council, which will probably
come up for action at the next meeting
of the assembly.
Plans have been drawn under my su-
PerVisIon, the details OF which have been
published in the press, and the favorable
action of the council is anxiously awaited
by the members Of the st. Paul COM
pan:es.
AS the executive head of the military
department., [ have given every encour-
agement to similar movements for TIE
erection of armerieS in other cities, but
as a citizen of ST Paul, l take a pardon
able pride in the fact that st. Paul has
taken the lead in this matter. More than
Cne-sixth CT the state and federal ap-
preparations for the maintenance of the
national guard are expended on the st
Paul companies, and I may say, with
out disparagement to othe. parts of the
state. that the city of st. Paul mas rea-
sons to be proud of its companies and
their gallant service in the late war
I sincerely hhnn fha: the nit,r oo,,,,o:I