The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-12-22

Proposed New State House.
The Sentinel has abstained from any dis
~cussion of the new state house question,
preferring that an expression should first
be made of public sentiment outside the
city. That there is some little jealousy of
capitals, and the expenditures which govern
ments are required to make for their own
accommodation, is well known. But there
is rs little, perhaps, in Indiana as
in any other state, and for obvious reasons.
Indianapolis is not only the capital, but is
the chief city, the geographical and com
mercial center and in direct communication
with all parts of the state by it's magnificent
railroad advantages. But more important
still, it is the child of the state, originally
laid out for the capital, and built up by the
prosperity of the whole state. There are
but few of our people, therefore, who do not
rejoice in the prosperity of this city.
During the last month the county papers,
as well as those of our larger cities, have
spoken out on thiss subject, and generally in
advocacy of the project. Some of them are
urgent, and demand a state house as a
necessity, taking precedence of all other
local questions; others admit the necessity,
but propose a new insane asylum as of
more pressing importance, while but few
oppose the movement, and zone deny the
need. The reasons in favor of the imme-
diate action OF the legislature may be briefly
summed up as follows: 1. The present
building is totally inadequate to the needs
of the state. The judicial and executive de-
partments have been crowded out entirely,
and now occupy an announcement and trail
structure, where all the valuable records OF
the state may be destroyed by fire in an
hour. Even the legislature has not half
room enough, and every session rooms
have to be rented FOR committees,
which, because they are scattered, require a
greater number of clerks and ianitors; and
the expenses thus incurred call for thousands
of dollars per year; 2. The present build
ing is dilapidated, incOnvenient and even
Built in the infancy of the
state, of cheap material, it has survived its
usefulness. The stone is crumbling, the
columns in constant danger of be-
ing undermined, and the plastering
inside and out constantly falling
off. The annual bill of repairs, to
keep it at all tenable, amount to thousands
of dollars per year; 3. The plan, range
ment and condition are such as to render it
unwholesome. Every member of the legis-
lature knows this, and those who have spent
there know that the want of proper
arrangements for heating and ventilating are
the principal sources of colds and fevers.
Hardly a session passes that does not sow
the seeds of disease n death
among the members. A Greek temple
may be a good thing in Greece, but in our
changeful, chilly climate, it is simply an
absurdity; 4. AS to the looks of the build
ing, that is an inferior matter. IL it had the
great essential features of capacity, security
and healthfulness, mere appearances might
be endured. OF course, in the erec-
ton of a new house the people
will demand that it shall be of
exterior, but impressive from
its SIMPLE grandeur, and free from all mere
tricious ornament. |
The Sentinel is aware that the last general
assembly appointed a committee to procure
plans; that this committee has faithfully ]
indu~striously endeavored to discharge
It's important duty, and that it will be pre-
pared to report to the next session. The
editors, with all their anxiety for
news, have desired to leave the ON
unembsrrsssed by public discus
cussion of its doings, and have remained
with simple announcements OF its
meetings. Assurances are given that the COM
are in the possession OF plans which
can be built within the limits OF two mil
of dollars, and which will be perfectly
satisfactory when executed, and the matter
may be left with them until they report to
he general assembly. Then their action
will become public property, and a legiti-
mate matter for criticism.
For those who may doubt the wisdom of
action by the lex general assembly in this
there are three observations to be
made; l.. The especial friends of a new
state house concede the precedence of an
insane asylum, and will support that meas
.re; 2. 1t will be demonstrated that the tax
for state purposes can be largely reduced,
and that levy of five cents on the hundred
dollars will be sufficient for both buildings, |
the time that will be required to
build them; 3. The state has already COM
itself to the work, and can not well
back on its action.
/
1t seems pretty clear from all late devel-
that the republicans of Louisiana
are engaged i'm desperate conspiracy TO re-