Nebraska advertiser., 1858-01-28
Renort
of the Select Committee of the Council in
relation tothe Capitol Building aud
Grounds an Omaha City, Ne
braska TerritorV.

The Select Committee appointed to In
vestigate the condition of the Territorial
Capitol building, respectfully beg leave to
report
That they have made as thorough an
investigation of the subject as their op-
portunities would permit; that they have
examined the Hon. Secretary ofthe Ter
ritory, (the present Acting Governor,
and also the Hon. Jesse Lowe, Mayor of
the City of Omaha, which examinations
were reduced to writing, and are here
with submitted, with the accornpar ying
papers, and made part of this report.
By reference to the testimony Of Secre-
tary Cunning, it will be seen that the late
Gov. lizard has left in the Governors Of
fee no papers or vouchers showing how
or in what manner he expended the ap-
preparation of fifty thousand dollars made
by the General Government for the erec-
ton of Capitol building for the Terri
tory; consequently the committee in the
absence of Gov. lizard, have no means of
ascertaining how that appropriation was
expended, whether economically or other
wise; Gov. lizard seeming to act without
reference to the wants and wishes of the
people of the Territory, and entirely inde-
pendent of and above them, although he
was simply the trustee or agent to disburSe
this appropriation for their benefit. This
conduct on the part of the late Governor
the committee deem extremely reprehen-
sible and worthy of the severest censure.
1t will be seen from the testimony SUBJ
mitted that the Capitol building is yet far
from state of completion. The appro-
priation of fifty thousand dollars by the
! United States has been expended; fifty
two thousand dollars has been expended
upon it by the City of Omaha, under the
direction of the Mayor; an Indebtedness
of eight thousand was created in favor of
the building, by Gov. lizard, beyond the
amount of the appropriation, which in
debtedness has to some extent been as
sumed and paid by the City of Omaha,
making in the aggregate the amount Of
one hundred and ten thousand dollars,
sixty thousand of which is beyond the ap-
preparations the lowest estimate to
complete the same without the ornamental
work outside, including the columns, &c.,
is twenty thousand dollars, making the
cost of the building beyond the appropri-
alton, eighty thousand dollars, and with
the appropriation, one hundred and thirty
thousand dollars when completed in this
manner. If the original plan is carried
out (even in the cheapest manner) with
the columns, &c., the lowest estimate is
seventy-fve thousand dollars, which add
ed to the present cost, makes the whole
cost when completed, one hundred and
eighty-fve thousand dollars.
The committee are of opinion that when
Gov. lizard undertook to erect so magni-
fcent structure for the Capitol building
of this infant Territory, requiring so
large an outlay of money, he exhibited a
lack of prudence foresight and common
management, greatly compromising him
as capable and efi.ient public officer,
acting as a trustee for the Territory.
The Committee are of opinion that in
no event should any of the expense attend
ing the erection of this imposing Capitol
edifice. be borne by the people Of this
Territory. The original appropriation of
fifty thousand dollars was a munifcent
donation by Congress, and amply sufi-
cient, if it had been properly applied, to
erect building which would have been
an ornament to the Territory, and abun-
dainty answered all its purposes as a Ca
pitol for a generation. Yet this appro-
priation has been swallowed up and the
Territory as a whole has received. as yet,
no benefit from it. If any party has de-
rived any benefit, it is the city of Omaha,
in which the Capitol building is situated,
and in which the money has been expend-
ed. 1t is but Just, therefore, that the city
Of Omaha should undertake and agree to
save the Territory harmless from taxa
tion, in the amountthat has already been
and which must yet be expended to COM
plete the same. The Committee take
pleasure in reporting that the City Of
Omaha has recognized the business of
this position, as viii appear by the fol-
lowing resolution, which was unanimous
" passed BY, the Common Council of the
City of Omaha, on Monday, january A
1858, and is made part Of this report
ResoIUed, That the Mayor be instructed
to assure the Select Committee, Messrs
: Bowen and Rogers, appointed On the par
; Of the Council to investigate the subjec
of Territorial Capitol Square and the
completion of the Territorial building
erected thereon; that the city of Omahs
: viii in no event make the expense incur.
red by said city In completion Of saiC
building q charge to the Territory, excep
in case an appropriation be made by The
General Government for the completion
. Of said building.
! ResOlUsd, That the Mayor be instruct
2 ed to urge the Legislative Assembly &,
menlorialize Congress for aufieient ap
5 preparation 10 reinhIrse the rnc,,e= =.