Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1883-12-19
Concerning the Court House.

Concerning the Court House.
The burning of our Court House last
week-or rather the fire that consum-
ed most all inside of its walls-has
been the one engrossing subject among
our people. That it is sad sight, and
a great loss all know But there are
various rumors ahoat that perhaps
should not be INDUCED in. The cause
of the fire is much discussed. From
all we can learn there appears to have
been great mistake made when the
building was remodeled few years
ago. However, we desire to express
no opinion upon the subject, but think
it would be advisable, from the amount
of talk on the subject, that the present
County Commissioners should have
some investigation of the matter before
repairing the building.
The walls of the building withstood
the flames and yet remain. The gen
eral opinion is that up to at least the
second story, and the top of the vaults,
the brick walls are uninjnred and can
be rebuilt upon. The vaults also be-
ing uninjured will be great saving in
repairing. If the house can be repair
ed in this way the present board OF
Commissioners can go to work as soon
as the insurance questions are adjusted
and arrange for repairing. But if an
entirely new building is desired by the
people of the county, then the action
of two Grand Juries will be necessary
for that would be a question upon
which the tax payers have a right and
must be heard, through their Grand
Juries. The insurance, amounting to
about $4,000, we presume will all be
paid. This amount,i if collected and set
apart for the special purpose of repair
ing, some are of opinion will be suffi-
cient to replace the building to what it
was. Others have very different.
opinion. AS to the report that the in
surance companies intend to replace
the loss-as they have a right to do if
they see proper-we believe there is no
foundation for said report or any proba-
bility that said companies will do so.
The county is but little in debt; but its
people do not want to be put in debt,
more than is made actually necessary
in restoring a Court House to them
The building was thought to be large
enough for all purposes, and its founda-
tions are yet as good as ever Care
should be taken, due deliberation had,
and economy practiced in the work
now made necessary.
The Court this week met and is
holding its sessions in the English
Lutheran Church, which has been
rented to the county for that purpose
The number of rooms connected with
the English Lutheran Church, afford
ing a room for each of the county Off
ces-was, we believe, what led to the
offering and accepting of that place for
the Courts, until the Court House can
be rebuilt or repaired.
The most interesting part, saved
from the burning wreck of the Court
House, is the representation of the
Goddess of Justice. She fell from the
roof over the yestibule TO the pavement
below, during the fire, and remains a
pretty solid block yet. She now re-
poses against the iron fence in front of
the old building and is an object of
very general curiosity to all passers by
Although blackencd and charred, with
hands burned off, and looking as if in
deep mourning, yet she remains, SEEM
ingly to say, that justice has not led
from nor forsaken US. The block at
tached to the figure upon which the
word Justice" was cut is gone, while
the piece having the word "Law" upon
it is nearly whole, and can be seen
near the large figure of Justice herself
The scales held in her bend were, how
ever, consumed by the fire.
Annie r. VickerS.
Elocutionary Epteft&.lment, in the
English Lutheran Church, Cuisines
night, Admission 35 cents. No re-