Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1843-12-08
WATCHMAN & STATE JOURNAL
FRIDAY, DEC. 8, 1913.
THE NEW COURT HOUSE -wHAT SHALL
BE DONE?

THE NEW COURT HOUSE WHAT SHALL
BE DONE?
Last week it was remarked that the destruction
OF tho Court House would 10 gain rather than
loss if the opportunity TO secure better build
ing shall be improved. The Judges of the coun-
ty court are empowered TO order "repairs and i'm
proyenents, in and around the court house" &c.
Under the authority thus given by the statute, we
suppose the judges cannot in this case, or will not
subject the county 10 any new EXPENSE unless the
matter shall be deferred and n tax upon the coun
ty Je granted by the next legisluture while they
cun md if desirable will, lis presumed, order the
$4,000 insurance money and the materials Of the
late court house, to he used in the erection of II
new one-a larger and better one, if they can do
il by the aid OF this village, without additional ex =
pense 90 the county, or I such aid is not given,
very much such another affair as was food for the
flames the other night. If the matter is deferred,
it is doubtful, to say the least. whether the county
will agree to build more expensive building; nnG
it is even doubtful whether the judges will de.
fer the business, if requested to do SO. Ia ad.
diiion let US state that we understand the cond-
ton Of the deed OF The land, occupied by the late
courthouse, 10 such that the county loses the
land unless the new house shall be built upon the
same ground. In all probability, therefore, that
ground must be the site of the new house. Al
though for several reasons our own preferences
are not fer this spot, yet we kno that it is central
and convenient of access for business men, and if
the ,chole lot can he secured and occupied by
proper public building, there is no better place for
it. Shall il be done and shall we have bull
ding which will be an ornament to the village,
crediable to the taste, berality and spirit of our
citizens, and whn one which shall be of utility
rs well as for ornament? We hope SO; and il
the people Of the village are of the same opinion,
so it will be. There are three good things very
| much needed in our village, viz. a Court House,
an Academy,-nnd public Hall Tor village and
corporation meetings, for concerts and conven-
tons, and for lectures &C. &c. Now, is it not
! feasible 10 unite all these in one noble building
and occupy the whole Baylies' lot? We have
made no estimates aud consulted nobody, there
fore We eau only suggest things which may, OF
may not, be feasible or worthy of examination
| but we do suggest, whether SO, 500 by the county
| including insurance money and the land, ard
throwing in the refuse materials, $l500by Wash.
ington County Grammar School, and $4,000 by
the corporation of Montpelier vilIage-lnaking in
all sum of Ss000-wi not give us the three
much needed good things, in one creditabe build
ing? Cannot building be erected for that sum-
the upper part of which shall be for the courl
house and academy, and the basement for viii
lage hall, post Office, county and town clerks Off
ces, Judge of probale's Office, village library, &c.
| Let those who capable of deciding the matter
20 into The necessary drafts aud estimates, and
see.
| IL will bc seen that we propose 10 have $4,000
raised by the village corporatiOn--ia other words
by tax on the grand list; say of $1,000 year
fot four years, if the credit of the corporation is
good enough TO anticipate the funds. This is the
most just way, as all have common interest, OF
nearly so il is aso'lhe easiest way; and finally
if done in this way, the money invested may be
in part if not wholly refunded, in point Of fact il
not in form. To explain; the county should have
its courtroom and jury rooms free, and The gram
mar school all necessary rooms free, i'll considera
ton of the portion of the expense borne by eacl
by the village corporation, and the Offices rented
and the proceeds so into the treasury OF the cor
poralion, 10 be used in keeping its share of lht
building in repair, and towards dcfraying other eX
penses Of the corporation.
Others are meditaling over the matter, aud w
contribute these our speculutions for what the!
may fetch, not at all presuming but that there ar
several objections 10 the scheme. Indeed it i
very Obvious that ar academy ought to be differ
emily located and 10 have more ground attache,
for various reasons but can such place be had
or rather ,cil such an one be had If any body ha
objections, however, let him send them 10 us t.
print, and at the same time be very careful t
suggest better plan il he can. Let US agree up
on the best plan, and then do what we can TO car
ry it out.
We understand that the judges Of The count
cour, will meet here on tie 10Th inst. TO COME
upon the business.