, 1865-01-27
Claims OF Decatur for the State CaP1s
tai
DECATUR, H., Jan. IL. 1865.

Claims OF Decntur for the state Capl.
yAls
DECATUR, H., Jan. IL, 1865.
Editors Chicago Tribune:
In the Chicago Times of the. 1oth instant
notice remarkable letter, with . startling
caption, calling for the location OF tne slate
capital at Peoria. As this subject has as
sumed greater importance than 1t Was at
first supposed It would, 1t is well enough to
riye the subject more than passing notice,
and, with your permission, I propose to make
a few suggestions. The various towns and
cities of lie State which have ghost Of an
argument in favor Of their own to"ns VIII
be besieging the public e4r with one-sided
arguments. The great mass Of the people,
who have no interest in these towns, desire
the truth as to the need Of change
from the present location, and, Il de-
cided IN favor of q change, the best
location for the whole State. A point easy
Of access for every county in the State, not
only now, but for all time to come, one that
is central, easily reached ~ railroad, or
other communication, a healthy, dry loca-
tion. .-.
The first point, q change Of location, ap-
pcars to be pretty well conceded. The pres
ept buildings are far too small. During the
present session Of the Legislature, important
committees have reported that they were un-
able to meet, rs MI was dark, no committee
be had in Springfield. Tha Representatives.
Hall, as well as Senate Chamber, in fact the
entire building, is not half Large enough for
tic wants Of Tie Government. A new Capi-
tol must be built-shall 1t be in Springfield?
The present site is too small, and Il new To-
cation is chosen {pr the public buildings, 4
new city might july as well be selected.
lam clearly Of the opinion thnt the present
md certainly the future demands Of the State
REQUIRE the removal Of the seat Of govern
ment. As to the new site, I am in favor Of
Decatur, not from purely selfish motives, but
from the belief thai, all things considered, 1t
is the most accessible point, and can furnish
just Us good local Inducements as any other
place. Southern Illinois Is 1ast 1lling up
with IN intelligent and wealthy population,
and will before twenty years equal Northern
Illinois in population {save ut least Chieago),
and hence The most central point, other things
being equal, Will he the best for new loca-
ton.
Decatur is geographically nearer the center
than either Bloomington, Peoria or Spring
field. Situated upon the main line Of the lii
nois Central r.ilroad, it will increase the tray
el on that road andconsequent1y will increase
the Z per cent tax paid the State of Illinois
upon the gross proceeds, fact, financially at
least, Of some Importance to =, the tax
payers Of Illinois. AS to facilities for
reaching Decatur from all parts OF
the State, let reader take railroad map
Of the State anc examine for himself the main
trunk Of the Central, reaching with its con-
nections all Of the Northwestern and North
eastern part Of the State, as well as
Southern Illinois; then truce the~ Great
Western Railroad, with Its connections; then
take pen and draw q line from indianapolis
to Decatur, and you have road practically
built. Tie Indiana s; Illinois Central,
running on IN mir line from indianapolis to
Decatur, and rom there On an air lino to st.
Louis; projected road from Decatur to Pc.
kin, and from Decatur to Terre Haute. It
needs no prophetic vision to assure the peo.