St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-04-03
WHAT SHALL BE DONE?
The Court House Question Revired-Senti-
Daent Strong in Favor of a Neso
BuiEding.

Dsent Strong ia FAVOR of a Neso
building.
The building known as the Hennepiu
county court house has long been regarded
as rejecting discredit upon the city and
county alike. 1t has been not only an eye
sore from an architectural stand point, but
has for several years past been inadequate
to accommodate the public business. The
main court room will not seat over 200 per-
sons, and when filled to its utmost capacity,
as is very often the case, the atmosphere
becomes foul and stifiin from lack of proper
ventilation. The clerks Office hardly allows
standing room for dozen persons outside
of the railing. One of the other court rooms
is so small that seventy persons can hardly
crowd into it, and another will not
seat over double that number. The offices
down stairs are also cramped and i'll ar
ranged. In short, the entire building is
much too small. The old shell has been
patched and fixed over time and again for
the purpose of improving its looks, but the
money has been thrown away, as the repeated
attem pts at ornamentation have hardly had
any other effect than to excite ridicule.
Perhaps the most aggravating feature about
the so-called Economy has been the
affxiug of the figures 1888, which were placed
in a conspicuous position on the front to
indicate that the edifice was erected in that
year. No wonder that when the architectural
atrocity has been partially destroyed, that
the people jump eagerly at an opportunity OF
obtaining a court house which shall he ade-
quate to the needs of the people and an
ornament to the city, rather than
disgrace. The feeling yesterday
when it was known that the court house had
been nearly destroyed by fire was almost that
of exultation. Nov we will get decent
court house." was a remark that was heard
on every side. The time for united effort
10 obtain suitable court house, one costing
from $500, goo to $500, 900, does seem to
have come. The county commissioners have
about decided TO return again to their patch
work, although no definite conclusion has
been arrived at Even if q new court
house is to be built, it will be necessary to
repair the old building so that it can be used
temporarily. But these repairs should not
be made with view to permaneucy. 1t will
take several years to build such court house
as is commensurate with the wealth and
dignity Of Minneapolis and Hennepin
county, and in the meantime accommOda-
tons must be provided When the legisla-
ture was In session last winter the econ ornical
commissioners neglected to obtain au
thority to bond the county, and
the objection is now urged that
it will be necessary to wait until the leg
islature meets before an appropriation can be
obtained. Whether or not this objection is
valid remains to be seen. II it is possible to
secure the other half block adjoining the
present site and begin the work it should be
done. II not, the old court house should be
placed in repair for temporary use, but no
expenditure beyond that should be counte
nanced. The understanding should be dis
tinct that at the first available opportunity
the new court house will be built.