Morning journal and courier., 1883-09-17
COMMUNICATIONS.
What to Do With tn. State House.

What to Do With the State House.
 To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 That our people are not in favor of the committees report on the location of tho New Haven Soldiers monument of the 4th of June last to the Board of Aldermen, ask
 ing the Common Council ''to cause the State House to be removed and that the land be deeded to the Soldiers Memorial commission for erecting thereon soldiers monument" :" is plain from the indignant protests which it called forth. Simultaneous with the publica- tion of the report appeared 8 citizens com municatfon on the same subject advocating that our East Rock park be the place for tho Soldiers monument and saying "As to our State House, it is a lasting monument to the perfect good taste and ability as an architect of our worthy distinguished townsman, MT. Town. It's situation, it's classic model, its usefulness as public building for free li- brary and reading room, it's central oonspicu- ousness and in every respect suitable loca- ton on our upper Green (away from all dis turbance) every one admires. Appreciates too as well as admires, in spite of the twenty years negligence and utter want of care by our city and State Too long has the lazy, do nothing element prevailed. Every true friend of our city, permanent or transient resident, doubtless stands ready to petition our city authorities to at once repair the edi- flee which more than any other gives charac- ter to the place we live in. Action is fet- tered by village and town notion, good in their day, but now positively hurtful. No less hurtful is the reckless extravagance of those who would destroy a positive good to make room for an imaginary new structure whose cost would ruin the credit and shock the good sense of all The suggestion made by 8 worthy citizen that the front and rear ends can easily be made marble memorial tablets of our martyr soldiers is good one. The Center church vestibule marble tablets show how perfectly record of our heroes can be made, easily accessible and fitted to endure to remotest generations.
 The able protest of Professor James B. Dwight to the same effect is richly worth 8 second publication. The absurd idea that concrete walls succeed, both as to strength and durability, are not equal to solid stone Is fully exposed and the superiority of hand some stuoco to brick or stone work in fitness historic edifces in Europe and in this coun' try and in this our own city. Our whilom State Capitol building is not old, but is of comparatively a modern date-1830. The three beautiful churches on the lower side of the same public square are from fifteen to twenty years older. The same absurd hue and cry would just as ruthlessly sweep away these fairest monuments of the early history of New Haven colony, whose founders here instituted so wisely ''the model republic. D The distinguished architect who planned and built the State Capitol here, the State and city governments that authorized it's location, cost, size and style, ought in all fairness to be considered as wise and intelligent as men of the present day. To-day's extravaganza needs the restraint of their good example of wise economy and moderation. Just as it is, with no repair during the past twenty years, it stands solid, firm and slightly, and answers many useful purposes. The Historical socie- ty rooms at the front or south entrance are excellent for the preservation of valuable and numerous priceless memori- als of New Haven's early history. The rooms on the floor above of the Museum of Art and Manufacture have in them much that is rare and instructive. The basement rooms save to the city large rent by affording an excellent place for it's road-making and other tools and merchandise. They serve also many other important uses. The size and location of so fine an edifioe demand higher and better uses than the present. A soldiers memorial hall adapted for public a good free public library and reading room can be handsomely provided within it's walls.
 Admitting it's present unsightly and out of repair look, only wilful blindness can fail to see that good thorough repair Cat a mode rate cost) will transform this well propor- toned and greatly needed structure into a building every way worthy of the city and the sacred ground It stands upon. RemoVe not the ancient landmarks" No mere sol diers' monument can fitly occupy situation so magnificent. The subject merits the best counsel and highest consideration. Ridicule and sneers are silly, senseless, disgraceful and injurious to the interests of our city. A committee of builders and architects limited to an outlay not exceeding $10,000 can take charge of the business of thoroughly and repairing the State House. With this sum they will make it worthy any city or State in the Union. A thoroughly reliable and report, their first duty, is of pressing importance now. Careful calcula. tion shows that to tear down and remove will cost more than to repair and compared with the true value of the building and location would cause loss equal to two hundred thousand dollars. The stories of damp ness, want of light, of obstructing the view of the college buildings, are refuted over and over again. The removal of few trees on the south side will allow plenty of light. We need to lessen our taxes and surely not to increase them.
 A CITIZEN.