The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-03-18
MANY SIGMA | URLS TO IT
Both Sides Claim to Have a Majority
of he Voters.
CONTENTION OF THOSE FAvORlNG SALE
Il IS to Sell the Old Market and Purchase Less
Valuable Property on Which to Build a
New Market and an auditorium
With the Money obi timed.

not the market house shall be sold.
What that decision will be the News
and Observer shall not undertake TO pre-
dict.
1t does presume though, to suggest to
the people of the city that they go to
the polls and vote their sentiments, so
that whatever be the result of the bal
lot there may be no hereafter about it.
While we are at it, let's decide the Ques-
ton right and finally.
The advocates of selling the market
believe that the only way to get the mon
ey to build an auditorium is to sell the
present market house and use the mon
ely derived from the sale to build a mar
ket house and auditorium less val
liable ground They have considered
again and again every proposition SUBJ
mitted for an auditorium. No other plan
suggested has furnished the money for
both an auditorium and a market house.
II the proposition to sell is voted down.
where can the money be obtaineG to
build an auditorium? The advocates OF
the sale declare they have found no fea-
sible answer to that question.
1t Is OF vital moment to Raleigh to
have an auditorium. The how is Sec
ondarv II the market house is sold. the
erection of an auditorium follows. II
1t fails, Raleigh must find some other
way to build 1t.
There is division of sentiment upon the
proposition to be voted on tomorrow.
The p~ard OF Aldermen have called the
primary in order to get an expression
OF the rorular will. 1t is to be hoped that
every citizen will vote upon the propo-
sttion.
Both the sellers and anti-sellers were
claiming the victory yesterday. Both
sides probably knew what they were
talking about, for both were working like
bees.
The "Anti's'' brought out their petit
ton, as had been decided upon in confer
ence on Friday. This paper set forth the
arguments Against Sale and was en-
dorsed by some hundred or more business
men and others.
1t was as follows:
The undersigned citizens of Raleigh, desire
to call the attention of their fellow citizens to
certain facts in connection with the proposed
election on the question of the sale of the Mar
ket House, which induce them to protest against
1t and to suggest that all those who are in
favor OF conservative and economical govern
ment 60 to the polls and vote against the sale.
ELECTION ILLEGAL.
The election ordered is absolutely and admit
tedly illegal. The Board of Aldermen have no
power to order such election. 1t is to be held
by poll holders who have no power to enforce any
laws that exist for the regulation of elections.
1t is to be held however, and think 1t wise
that those who oppose the sale of the Market
House shall attend the polls and cast their votes
against it.
is $50, 600 AN ADEQUATE PRICE?
The Market House paid the city last year in
cash for the rent of stalls alone 5000. This
income is over per cent on $4,000. In addi-
ton the building furnishes to the city MAJ.
ors office, clerk and tax collectors office, an
Office for the city surveyor, station house, a
location for the town clock and large basement
for the apparatus and batteries of the fire alarm
system. A very fair and conservative estimate
Of the rental value Of these offices is 800 per
month or $1,000 per year. In addition thereto
Metropolitan Hall, the last year it was run,
paid 81, 400. This makes a total income from the
building OF $3.50, or per cent on 500, 6666
CERTAINTY VS.. UNCERTAINTY.
The proposed sale means giving up certain
income of 5000 cash and the various and neces-
sary city Offices for the very uncertain returns
from a new market and an auditorium.
IMPROVEMENTS THROWN AWAY.
During the past few years many expensive i'm.
provements have been put upon the building. The
market has been remodelled and new cement
floor laid the station house has been renovated
and large coal bin and chute built; Metropo-
tan Hall has been reitted with chairs; the
mayors office has been overhauled and metal
ceiling put up; the clerks office has been re-
modelled. sale would mean that the money
spent for all these improvements would be alb,
solutey thrown away.
DEPRECIATION OF PROPERTY.
The removal of the Market House means a de-
crease in value of all property from the capitol
to the postoffce and proportionate decrease in
the amount of taxes collected therefrom, which
deficit must be made good by an increased rate
Of taxation on all city property.
PRESENT LOCATION THE BEST.
The present building could not be more cen
trally located or more convenient either as to
the market proper, the station house or the city
offices 1t is more accessible to the ladies of the
city than it would be if removed to any place
which has been mentioned
AMPLY LARGE.
The present building is large enough Though
Raleigh has increased in population greatly in the
last few years, it has not held its own as pro-
duce market. II the present building was large
enough Wnen the cotton receipts were I5DOO
bales, it ought certainly to be large enough
now when the receipts of that staple are about
onefourth of the former amount. Where the
people market their cotton they market their
produce Also
STALLS RENTED WITH DIFFICULTY.
1t is we'll known that it is with difficulty that
the city finds lessees for all Of the stalls, and,
in order to retain the tenants finds it necessary
TO reduce the rents each year during the sum-
mer months from 90 per cent to 25 per cent.
MARKET STREETS RARELY CROWDED.
1t is also equally true, that with the exception
Of the brief period Of the melon season, the
streets around and leading toe the market are
never unduly crowded.
LITIGATION CERTAIN.
The proposed sale viii unquestionabiy lead to