The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-25

pc willing to purchase or lease the build
ing. When the committee assembled
with Aldermen McLaskey, in the chair
Alderman Duryea presented a petition
from the owners Of property in the vicini-
ty urging the razing of the city hall In
order to provide suitable surrounding for
the statue 1t is understood that Mr..
Duryea secured the names himself while
making an inquiry as to the sentiment of
the property owners directly interested in
this petition. 1t bore the names of T. K.
Gray. M. w. Savage, r. Fl. Hegener, Jan
ney, Semple, Hill & Co., and many other
persons and firms.
A. II. Hall said that he represented
clients who were willing to lease the
building for five years under conditions
which would net the city $4,000 per year.
This rent, he argued, would in the course
of time purchase sevral pieces Of
statuary.
Alderman Powers opposed the general
proposition. explaining that he had been
making diligent inquiries among his
friends but could find no sentiment in
favor Of the matter before the committee.
A suggestion was made that action be
postponed for two weeks but there was a
general protest. S. d. Herrick explained
that it would require expeditions work
even as it was to tear down the city hall
and properly place the statue before snow
came. '.-'- :
NJ. Herrick then followed with a short
but enthusiastic plea for the plans under
consideration. The revenue question he
considered of no moment, as the city could
better afford to lose the money and ex-
pend $4,000 in addition rather than lose
an opportunity to secure the Improvement
of a section of the city which was admit
tedly in need Of it, There was the place
to begin-the gateway of the city. The
q RI
betterment of the lower portion Of Nicol-
let and Hennepin avenues, which were
hardly likely to impress visitors.
Some one made a remark that the
proposition was a real estate scheme to
which Mr. Herrick promptly made reply
that not one Of the donors owned any
real estate nearer to the old city hail
than Washington avenue.
Alderman Holmes urged that the plans
of the donors of the statue be carried out
to the letter, declaring that no other city
in the west ever had such an opportunity
to secure a fine work Of art as had Min
neapolis.
Rand Appreciates the Idea.
The spirit of the donors was highly COM
mended by Alderman Rand, who sug-
gested to his materialistic friends that
there was something in life beyond mere
dollars and cents. He recalled how his
first impressions of the cities he had Wis
tied remained with him and advised that
visitors to Minneapolis be given cheer
full first impression. The improvement of
Bridge square would mean the eventual
betterment of the whole neighborhood.
Mr.. Hall thereupon abandoned his ap-
peal to the sordid senses and took an
other tack in his efforts to defeat the
The square was the place
for grand memorial monument of
some kind to commemorate the deeds of
the nation or the sons of Minnesota, a
great war monument. Future generations
might want to erect such a monument.
The Father Of Waters might be very
beautiful, but it did not stand for any
thing. What does a river god stand for
In the mythology of Minnesota?" he asked.
Let us have something that stands for
Il should like to ask the previous
speaker where Minneapolis would be if it
were not for the Mississippi river and the
falls Of St. Anthony?" asked Alderman
Rand hotly. Don't stand for anything,
indeed! Why this statue stands for the
very vitality and life blood Of the COM
mun1ty and no more appropriate statue
could be conceived"
II there were any wavering aldermen
these last words Of Alderman Rand set
tied the matter firmly. A roll call i'm
mediately following showed ten in favor
and only Alderman Powers against.