The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-11-23
CAPITOL AND AUDITORIUM.

For a long time past the people have
recognized that one of our great public
needs in St. Paul is the establishment of
an auditorium. The present building is,
in many respects, unsuited to the hold
ing of large meetings. 1t does not repre-
sent a degree of safety for those occupy
Ing it, especially when tremendous gath
erings, such as those which met there
during the recent campaign, resort to it,
such as is demanded. The public safety
calls for an entirely different building,
or if. that particular building continues
to be used for such purposes very ex-
tensive improvements should be made
In it.
The encampment committee, as stated
recently by Mr.. McCardy, is ready to
dispose Of the building to the city for
certain price, which appears, on its face,
quite reasonable. But it must be a mat
ter of serious doubt whether the city
wants the building in its present condi-
lion, or whether, if it is purchased, The
necessary changes and improvements
The great need of a Suitable building
cannot be gainsaid.. Numbers of public
gatherings viii be held here during the
coming winter. Many more would be
helG We're the knowledge not general that
no suitable provision can be made for the
holding of such gatherings owing to the
absence of suitable hall. The disad-
vantage under which the city Iabors in
this respect is not easily estimated; but
the gain which has come to other cities,
like Minneapolis. for instance which are
supplied. with such facilities, we all have
knowledge of.
Some months ago Mr.. McCardy was
quoted in the Pioneer Press as suggest
Ing the use Of the present state capitol
for auditorium purposes. His plan, as
outlined in that paper, contemplated the
transfer of the state capitol to the city,
and its remodeling for the necessary pur-
poses The expense, he declared, would
not be sufficient to stand in the way of
the execution of the project.
Mr.. McCardy may or may not believe
In his own plan. The subject of an audi
torium has been brought up and played
with by individuals for so long and with
such variety of purpose that it is hard
to look back upon the various schemes
in that behalf which have been brought
to the surface at one time Or another
without being forced to the conclusion
that the matter has never received the
serious consideration it is entitled to.
The G l o b e believes that the germ of
the solution of the auditorium project is
TO be found in the plan to devote the old
capitol to the purpose. The state con-
stitution makes provision for the use to
which the capitol building shall be put
in case of its being vacated. The pro-
vision is as follows:
= In the event of the seat OF
government being removed from the city
of st. Paul to any other place in the
state, the capitol buildings and grounds
shall be dedicated to an institution for
the promotion of science literature and
the arts, to be organized by the legisIa-
ture of the state, and of which institu-
ton the Minnesota Historical society
shall always be a department."
While this provision has express refer
ence to the possible removal of the seat
Of government from this city, the spirit
of it is that in case the present building
is not used for its present purposes it
should be used for those expressly set
forth. The matter of removal is really
extraneous; and if the necessary steps
are taken through the legislature dur
ing its coming session it ought to be
feasible to put into operation the inten-