The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-02-07
THE STATE HOUSE QUESTION,

A bill is now pending before tie legisla-
ture providing tor the erection of a new
state house. Our purpose, however is not,
at this writing, so much to discuss the
merits of the bill as to indicate as best we
may the necessity of prompt legislation
upon the subject and the early commence
ment of the work. The eminent propriety
of the measure before the legislature
is almost universally conceded, and
the necessity for new state house
is very generally admitted. The feet
that tie state has vastly outgrown the state
house requires no effort to make it self-evi-
dent, as all that is demanded in that regard
is to look and be convinced. While we are
earnest in our advocacy OF prudential ex-
penditure of money, we are nevertheless in
favor of having our noble state keep fully
abreast of the progressive spirit of the age,
and to enact such laws and encourage
such public enterprises as will indicate
to the country that Indiana's interests
and destiny, as subjects of enlightened
craftsmanship, are in the hands OF those
who are capable of grasping them in ali of
llltll utidllS, anu VI iilthihS SuCA IIONlSiOnS
for advancement and development as are re-
quired. From an economical standpoint we
are clearly of the opinion that the present
state house is not a paying institution; ii
answers few of the purposes of state
house, and these only as make
shift. As thing to look upon
it is simply repulsive. 1t can hardly be
said to be useful, and its beauty has long
since disappeared, 1t has answered its pur
pose and fulfilled its mission. The years in
their flight have written decay from foun-
dation to flagstaff, and the verdict is, let it
disappear. In all of this there is something
more than state pride. AS at present stu
ated the archives of the state, already of
incalculrble value, are badly provided for
and are insecure. For this there
is no remedy, but in the building
of state house provided with such securi-
ties against fire as science and skill may de-
| wise. 1t is not necessary to elaborate this
branch of the subject, as the average mind
will readily comprehend the imperative ne
cessities of the situation, which in our Judg-
ment ought to result in entire unanimity
and insure the needed legislation. We are
clearly of the opinion that the fact that the
1 state house must be built in Indianapolis
should not create opposition to the bill now
| pending in the house of representatives. 1t
is pre-eminently a measure removed as far as
possible from local jealoRsies-a building
when completed that will belong to the
state, built by the people and for the people,
and we are not willing 10 believe that any
very formidable opposition can be created to
the measure by local pcejudices. The most
important feature in THE discussion, we oon-
clude, will be the COS. of the building and
in tS.is connection we desire to say that
we do not believe the people
will tolerate extravaganza. Whet
is wanted is a state house Of SIMPLE
corveniences to transact the business of q
great and growing commonwealth, not
merely for the present, but for many yeers
to come. Such a building we are per
suaded can be erected for the sum al
81 100000, or an amount nearly sPpr0xi-
mating this estimate, and it should
be borne in mind that two mil
plish nearly, if rot quite, as much as double
that amount would have secured two OF
| three years ago. The question of architect
ural style and a8ornments we do not now
care to discuss, nor the methods that naay be
devised for providing the necessary funds
reserving for future articles such reflections
as the subject may require at our hands
/