The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1881-03-17
7m COURT HousS.

An election having been called to test the
sense Of the people upon the question Of
making Eve mill tax-'evy for the purpose
Of erecting suitable building for county
purposes. It Is proper that definite state
ment Of the plans proposed by the Board OF
Commissioners be made, that Ill may vote in
diligently upon the proposition.
This, then, il the situation: The county
acquired the present county building, and
IRE of the First National Bank and by subse-
quent purchase, the lot adjoining it on the
north, giving an area Of 80 by 40 feet owned
by the county. The present building is Is
by GO feet. and 1t Is now proposed 10 cover
the entire remainder OF the grounds with u
substantial brick addition, dispensing with
the basement for the new portion OF the
building, which is to consist Of twy stories
Of uniform height with the present county
building.
Without going into details, which may be
seen in the plans at the county clerks Office,
the structure, when completed, will contain
convenient and commodious offices for coun.
ty treasurer, register Of deeds, county clerk,
county commissioners, clerk Of the district
court. probate judge, with fre-proof vaults
for the separate use oil each. and for the pub
lie funds, Offices for sheriff. superintcndent Of
public instrt ctiOn. county surveyor, corO.
her, judges and jury rooms, prisoners
room, and, besides, some four or five other
rooms which are already rented, or will be
when ready for occupancy. The court room
will occupy the entire upper floor Of the ad
di;ion in rear Of the county building, except
the hall OF ten feet, giving it dimensions Of
lS by GS feet, and intended to he finished
overhead somewhat like the auditorium Of
the opera house, which building ia external
appearance and general architecture and
substantial m amer of construction, the CON-
pleted court horse is intended somewhat to
resemblc--Only it will be considerably high
or and altogether more imposing structure.
The main entrance will be in the centre OF
the facade upon First street, under an orna-
mental arch, perhaps Of cut stone, somewhat
higher than that Of the opera h0use, through
apillaref. or heavily pilastered projection,
carried TO the full height of the building.
The whole is intended TO be covered by
hip roof, aud surmounted by dome Of suit.
able proportions.
The estimated cost, including furnace for
heating the whole, and aside from furniture.
is $4,000, at which price responsible parties
will bid for the contract, perhaps for a less
sum. 1t & proper t. state tina, lease ofcight
feet of ground on the north of the proposed
addition has been secured Tor the county, to
continue dprin. IFS occupancy of Tie prem
Uses, Tor purposes OF light aud ventilation to
apartments on that side.
The taX-lcyy Of five mills will raise little
less than Sl6.OOO-enough to erect the build
ing and furnish it complete. We now pay
about 800 year Tor rent and attendant cX-
penscs, in fitting up and removal Of record.
to and from the court. The advisabiIity OF
having. OF our own, better and permanent
court facilities, of providing suitable Offices
for the transaction Of the public business,
the imperative necessity Of having the pub
lie records In places Of absolute safety, if it
can b done at IA reasonable expense, seems
SO plain ~ hardly 70 b. 4 matter for argu-
ment. That the amount required is not UNI
reasonable, nor too much Tor the amount re.
quired, seems equally clear Our bonded in
dcbtcdness, on which we have hitherto been
paying interest, having been practically
wiped out, the levy of five mills would not
increase our taxation over previous years
1t would be simply to continue the same levy
for another year.
La return Tor this we will have u really fine
and imposing court house. situated cOnve-
niently, anu adequate FOR all purposes for
many years TO come. We may also escape
being compelled to erect more ambitious
structure at an early day, at far greater ex-
pense in bonds upon the county.
Whether il is wise 10 avoid such AN alter
native by providing now, in the manner in
Dictated for really pressing present need, is
for those who pay the taxes to determine.
Respectfully submitted,
S. l.. JOCELYN, Commissioner.