Morning journal and courier., 1886-12-11
COMMUNICATIONS.
The old State HOuse-The Interest of
 the Masses Therein.

The old State HOuse-The Interest of
 the Masses Therein.
 To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 MT. Fellowes advocates the retention of the State House from the standpoint of associa- ton and esthetics.
 While it is doubtless true that there is a considerable class of lifelong residents of New Haven, some of whom are large tax payers, who desire to retain the State House for the reasons alluded to by him among by no means be lost sight of, it is also true that there are many small taxpayers among our people with whom such consider ations may not have controlling influence. Certainly this class should be considered in matter which affects general taxation. Many taxpayers earn their daily bread by daily labor. To them the question of taxation is of vital importance. It has been asserted and reiterated by some that the expense of properly repairing and restoring the structure might be as much as from sixty to seventy thousand dollars.
 To full understanding of the subject it may be we'll to ask what those who make such statements mean by properly repair ing and restoring" Do they mean the re- placing of the present crumbling steps and the facing of the basement story with Pentelican
 
 of kindred order throughout the building If so, possibly they may not over estimate. Doubtless much larger sum might be spent upon the State House or any other building. It might be lined with gold and studded with diamonds, however undesirable such an expenditure might be.
 Some of the best civil engineers, architects and builders in and out of the city and State have, as we understand, asserted that the building can be suitably repaired, the crumbling steps replaced with solid granite, and in short the outside and in- side restored so that as whole the structure shall have it's primitive beauty and more than it's original strength and usefulness, with proper drainage and heating facilities, all for about $2O, ,O00, and this upon carefully considered plans and specifications. The influence of the massive strength and the beauty of simple outline of the State House are not, as we believe. lost upon the majority 1. of our people. Such considerations properly go hand in hand with those of utility.
 Individually, however, many may not have the time or means to investigate the cost of repairing public buildings as related to the expediency of making such repairs.
 Such matters are therefore wisely delegat- ed to the Common Council of our city.
 Successive committees of the Common Council, after long and careful considera- tion of the evidence presented, have report oO Iuot SultdOlS IOpdlES Cesu OO L1dOC ob O moderate expense. x It is said by those who are believed to be well informed, that a big ''job" is contemplated if the destruction of the State House can be secured. It is known that there is increasing need of room for various public uses, and that to- day the use of the State House saves the city a considerable sum annually. It is believed that if the hue and cry against the State House could have it's desired effect and result in the destruction of the building, it would not be long before an out lay of at least $150, 600 would be demanded for land and new building for various pub lie uses (and these in no way connected with public library).
 Who would be benefited thereby? Those who have guessed at the profit accruing from the erection of some large buildings in this city can guess at this:
 'sTen cities claimed the Homer dead
 Through which the living Homer begged his bread
 Let it not be left for our children to de plore the destruction by their ancestors of so comedy and useful building as the State House has been, and with comparatively small outlay may be made again.
 PUBLIC BENEFIT,