Morning journal and courier., 1886-06-16
rHE PEoPLE ro DEcIpE.


 Another DiseussiOn over Ehe State
 House QuestiOn-The Committee Vote
 Six to Three to Submit the Question
 To the People.
 An adjourned meeting of the State House committee was held in the Mayors office last evening. The committee, which consists of Aldermen Graves tehairman), Trowbridge, Holfingef and Corners, and Councilmen Chillingworth, Beers, Asher, Bradley and Heenan, were all present.
 The consideration of the State House ques-
 tion was opened by Councilman Chilling
 worth, who read from the city records of 1877 to show that permission was granted
 Professor Blake to use the State House for c
 museum for 8 term of years on condition that he insure it for $25, 900 and keep it in repair.
 Alderman Trowbridge then read a letter from Major P. Maher, in which he offered to put the State House in better repair than it ever was before for the sum of 5000 and would give bonds to do the work for the price named. He said that to tear the build ing down and remove it would cost as much as to repair it, MT. Trowbridge then said that he believed that the building would be put in thorough repair by private citizens. Already $7,2O0 had been subscribed for this pur- pose. I am willing as told Major Maher to sign his bond he having agreed to repair it for the sum named. I now move, said l MT. Trowbridge, that this committee be dis solved as there is no further use for it. Councilman Bradley seconded the motion of Alderman Trowbridge. Alderman Graves-I take no exception to the form of the motion, although do not be- lieve that we have a right to dissolve the l committee. The motion, it appears to me, is simply a makeshift. We're this motion I 8 proper one, and should it prevail, the work of repairing the building will still be thrown upon the city, and it is 8 building for which there is no use, SO far as the city is concern ed The Common Council do not want to | appropriate $50,O00 to repair it, when half | the people want it torn down.
 | Councilman Chillingworth-We owe it to the body who appointed us to make some sort of a report I think perhaps more time should be given, so that the offer made to re- pair could take some forrn.ss-g.
 l Alderman Trowbridge-If time is given every dollar needed for repairs can be raised, and the building can be out in good order, | including steam heat, for $23,0 900, and in tend to contribute literally toward this. The occupants of the building will pay @ fair rem | tai toward this object AS for tearing it down, I don't believe there is mason in the city who would do the work for $10, GOO. .,f...
 Councilman Chillingworth-f repairs are | to be made we should have drawings and specifications made, so that we can under stand just what is to be done and what it will cost. ....-. Councilman Asher am opposed to leav- | ing this matter to private enterprise, for in that case they could dictate to the city. move that the question of removal be sub mitted to the people and let them decide what shall be done with the structure. Alderman Trowbridge-If it was ques- tion of giving $500, 900 for East Rock Park I should feel different about it; but the Meadow street pavement cost more than will the repairing of the State House.
 Alderman Graves-I believe before we get through with this matter that the people will have something to say about it. Alderman Conners-The building is of no account except for geographical or histori- cal society. If the question is submitted to the people I shall vote to repair it. I shall vote to refer the question to the people.
 Alderman Graves-The press is unani- the people. They represent the people and believe the people would like chance to vote on the question.
 Councilman Chillingworth-The matter of paying for the repairs comes to us without any formal offer, and therefore is not prop erly before us. aet. - Alderman Trowbridge-Professor Van Name,~ who is the best authority in the United States, says the State House is an ideal place for library. i 52-- Alderman Graves-If the matter is sub mitted to the people all these arguments about the State House will be fully weighed. The thing for us to do, after ten years of do- | ing nothing but talk, is to send the matter to
 the people and we should take decisive ac- ton at once. 4t A vote was then taken on the motion of Councilman Asher that the committee re- port back recommendation that the ques- ton be submitted to the people and it was carried by vote of six to three. Those vot- ing in the affirmative were: Aldermen Graves, Hollinger and Corners, Councilmen Asher, Chillingworth and Heenan. Those
 voting in the negative were Alderman Trow-
 bridge and Councilmen Beers and Bradley.
 The three members of the committee who
 voted in the negative will make minority
 report in favor of repairing the State House.
 Both reports will probably be presented at
 the Aldermen's meeting this evening.