The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-17
Gretliita State SoilrMak
CAPITOL NOTES.

state Capitoi tell III prounclng sucn oreau
full loss of human life, the legislator
being then in session and the Hall of tn
House of Delegates being rendered unin
habitable and unfit for occupancy by tn
catastrophe, the state was forced to pro
vide some place for the meeting of he
legislators, and was obliged to take any
thing it could get which would IN a measure
meet the existent demand for space ant
accommodation. Accordingly the Syca
more church, on Eleventh street, not ia
from the City Hall, was purchased TO
$l5, 900, and temporarily used as meet
ing place for the General Assembly. Afte
the repairs to the Capitol were completed
it ceased to be used as legislative hall,
and by enactment Of the General Assem-
bly, was given over to the use Of the
supreme court of appeals, by whose judges,
clerks and lawyers it has since been ten
anted. The Legislature also directed thai
the state law library should be moved from
the Capitol and placed therein for the con-
venence of the legal fraternity, and this
has been done. The property thus pur-
chased was doubtless worth what was
paid for it, and would now sell, il
put on the market, for what
the state gave for it. 1t served good turn
at the time and under the pressure existing
when required, but the building is entirely
unfit for the use at present made of it. II
is not specially strong, is pierced with
numerous windows, the walls are thin, it
has an aged single roof, very sue
ceptible to inAammatory influence,
is surrounded on three sides
by kitchen chimneys, (which emit
sparks which daily and nightly endanger
its stability and permanence. During the
time the cdifce was known as Syca-
more church it was six times afire on
the roof from sparks from neighboring
chimneys. That portion of the auditorium
of the oh urch used as courtroom is
resonant with an echo produced by the
height of the ceiling, which entirely de-
stroys the effect Of the most brilliant ora
torical flights. 1t is nearly as bad in that
respect as the rotunda of the City Hall
used to be.
The question is, what should the state
do2 We think it can be very easily an
swwer ed. 1t is clear that new court
house-one with some pretensions to
architectural symmetry, and comparatlv ely
fire proofs needed. Let the state then
condemn for public use that part Of the Cap.
itol Square now occupied by the law build
ing, Wing office and Dukes stable. Two
objects will be accomplished by this proce-
dure. Some proportions Of symmetry will
be given the square which it now lacks,
and ground will have been acquired where
on to erect, in the most suitable place, q
state courthouse which shall mot only be
fre-proof but an ornament to the city.
The sale of the old Sycamore church lot
would in part pay the cost of the land
occupied by the buildings which now
cucumber the southeast corner of
the Public Square,. We ask the Legis-
lature to seriously consider this matter.
We will ere long have to build new CAPT.
toll, and the courthouse is also pressing
necessity. Both Capitol and courthouse
should be built out of native James river
granite. We have both material and men
to put it in shape. Who will immortalize
himself by taking legislative action on this
subject? We pause for reply.
Messrs. George W. Young and Ross
Hamilton, Republican members Of the
House of Delegates from Mecklenburg
county, have been decided as entitled to
their seats in the contested election case, by
the committee on privileges and elections.
Captain Louis Gimmi was to-day COM
missioned by Governor Kemper as weigh
master of live stock for the city of Rich
mond.
Neither the Senate or House were in
session to-day, yet sundry members Occur
pied their desks in both branches, appa-
rently busy incubating some vital measure
of state policy, or Eliminating over the pos
sible fate of some mud turnpike. "You
may adjourn or recess whenever you will,
but the scent of per diem clings gratefully
still.D
Hon. Francis Harrison Peirpoint, Of
Fairmont, Marion county, West Virginia,
Ex-Governor of Virginia. was in the city
to-day, and called on Governor Kempel
and other officers of the state. This dis.
tinguished gentleman is looking remarkably