The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-01-30

OUR 8TAYH CAPITAL,

The state of Illinois is greatly in need of
new state house, and the subject is begin
ming to be earnestly considered by the leg
islature. And while this subject is being
considered the subject of removing the CAPT.
tai to some other point is also agitated. De-
catur, Bloomington, Peoria and Chicago are
competitors for the location. We vote for
Chicago because that place is, practically,
the centre of Illinois, and because it can fur
nish ample accommodations for the legisla-
ture and all the hangers-on who follow it
In the old days ofstage coaches the geographi-
cal centre might be of some Importance
but those days have passed, and the centre,
now, is the point which can be reached cas-
lest and quickest from all parts of the state.
That point is Chicago.
By the way, the Chicago Times urges a
few other reasons why the capital should he
removed to that place-as follows:
The proposition to remove the capital Of
Illinois to a more suitable point than Spring
field is not vet expelled from the public mind,
nor vet from the minds of influential mem
bers of the Legislature
The state is greatly in need Of new CAPT.
tol building. The present building is unfit
for the purpose, and is really a disgrace to SO
great and wealthy state as Illinois. 1t is
building that would do very we'll as a court
house for Sangamon county. and that is all
IL is really fit for
The necessity of building a new state-house
furnishes suitable opportunity TO select an
appropriate situation for that building. 1t is
hot - abo1 AZ
cal centre of the state if it were. the claims
of Decatur and Bloomington would both out
weigh those ofSpringfeld. Probably Bloom
lngton Is nearer to the exact geographical
centre of Illinois than any other city or place
which is likely to become acity. Blooming
ton would be charming place for the state
house; but 1T would be great pity to -sullv
the rural beauties AID pastoral innocence Of
that bucohc region with eorruptions such as
the state-house will bring into existence
wherever it may be. In a moral point of
view, Chicago is the only place where the
state-house can be located without having any
moral effect on society. Not that the morals
of Chicago are impregnabe, but that they
are of a quality and kind which the legisla-
ture could not very well damage. IF the leg
islature, therefore. is really actuated BY great
moral ideas, 1t will decide to build the new
state-house in Chicago.
4 great deal of money might be saved,
also, by building the state-house in this city.
As the people have already seen this winter,
about ninety per cent. of the business before
the Legislature comes from this city. 1t costs
good deal to have this business properly
done. All the people who are interested
capnot go TO Springfield, and it is impossible
that the half dozen persons who are sent
there officially from this city can do all that
it is expected will be done. 1t is therefore
found necessary that, in addition to the
members from this city, numerous lobby
should also goto Springfield. These lobby
men are provided with large sums of money,
which, it is intended. shall find its way into
the pockets of members; but there is much
reason to believe that good deal of it lodg-
es permanently IN the pockets of dishonest
lobbymen. This stealing BY the lobby of
money which was intended to bride members
Is not fair, and ought not to he tolerated.
1t is difficult, however, for the members to
devise any plan by which their rights in the
premises can be successfully asserted This
could best be done by removing the state
house to Chicago, where members could be
seen" by the original parties in interest
without the intermedation of rascally lobby
men. A great deal of money which is now
stolen by the lobby could thus be saved tc
the members. And this Is one among many
very cogent reasons which ought to induce
members to vote in favor of building the new
state-house in Chicago.