Morning journal and courier., 1885-09-08
THAT OLD STATE HOUSE.

Another Firebrand Thrown Into the Common Council Camp-Alderman n Graves the One That Did It. The meeting of the Board of Aldermen last evening was lively one, especially the closing scenes in that august body. The board were about on the point of adjourning on motion by Alderman States when Alder man Graves arose and asked that the motion to adjourn be withdrawn for moment, as he desired to introduce resolution of some importance so that it might be referred to the appropriate committee.
 Alderman States withdrew his motion and Clerk Crowley read the following:
 Ordered, That the Committee on Appro- priations be instructed to make no recom- mendation for the repair of the old State House nntil it be first ascertained that all the annual appropriations deemed necessary and called for by the different departments of city government can be granted and that an appropriation for the old State House can be added thereto without creating deficit or increasing the present rate of taxation.
 A motion to refer the order to the Com mittee on Appropriations was amended to indefinitely postpone.
 Two or three Aldermen were on their feet at once, but his honor recognized Alderman Spreyer first. That gentleman denounced the resolution as intended to defeat the re- pair of the State House and he hoped the motion to indefinitely postpone would pre- vail.
 Alderman Graves said the only purpose was to meet the question fairly and squarely as it should be met and would have to be met sooner or later. k The motion to indefinitely postpone was carried.
 Then followed the following, also by AL derman Graves:
 Ordered, That the Committee on Appro- priations be instructed to make no recom- mendation for the repair of the old State House until they first ascertain whether there are any departments which are willing to remove their quarters to said building and permanently occupy the same, or who advise such occupancy. And that said com mittee report to the Court of Common Coun- cil what departments are so willing and so ad- wise.
 More discussion followed the introduction of this order and there was some sharp talk between the friendsgof the old State House on the one side and it's enemies on the other The motion to indefinitely postpone pre- vailed.
 Then followed the third order, also by AL deTman Graves.
 Ordered, That the Committee on Appro- priations be instructed to inquire: l. What obligation the city government is under or what right it has to furnish quarters to the Historical society at the expense of the tax payers Of the city.
 3. Also to inquire under what authority and by what terms the Historical society is now occupying rooms in the old State House.
 8. Also to inquire what is the condition of the lease of said State House to Mr. William P. Blake.
 4. To inquire and report what would be a fair rental for the first story of the old State House, taking into consideration the value of the land and building and the expense of an- nual repairs, and what rental if any ought to be charged to the Historical society for the rooms occupied by it.
 5. To inquire whether the first story of the old State House ought not on suitable terms to be open to other worthy organizations in case said committee recommend to repair said State House for other uses than those of the town and city government.
 Alderman Graves, smarting under the ac- tion taken on the previous orders, arose and made vigorous speech in which he de- nounced the action of the Board for their discourteous way of disposing of such inn portant matters that were of vital interest to the taxpayers of the city. He said the ques- tion would have to be met fairly and square ly and the action of the Board only caused delay.
 Pending the discussion and before reach ing a vote on the third and last resolution motion was made to adjourn and it passed without dissenting vote.