Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-05
OUR LOCAL AFFAIRS.
NEW PUBLIC BUILDING.
Discussion IN the senate as TO Erecting
House for state Library. &c., kc.

Discussion IN the senate as 10 Erecthe
House for state Library. &c., ke.
In the Senate yesterday Mr.. Loyen-
STEMS resolution proposing the appoint
ment of special committee Of three
on the part Of the Senate and
FIVE on the part of the House
to make a report as to the erec-
ton Of Statc-Library building came
up. The preamble of the resolution re-
cited that certain State property Public
warehouse square. Penitentiary-
spring lot, &C., had been sold under an
act of Assembly ordering the invest
ment Of the proceeds in Virginia new
3's; the same to be held for the pur-
pose Of erecting such building.
Mr.. Heaton was not prepared to say
that he could vote for the resolution.
lie did not know who had received any
particular good from the Library; the
books are kept so close and are so hard
to get at. What in his judgment was
far more needed than 4 library building
was more room for the Legislature. He
referred to the condition Of the legisla-
tive halls and, what was infinitely
worse. the committee-rooms. These
latter be truly represented as being al
!, ,toReiher ipsnE Eeient Enthusiastically Tor
legislative purposes. The fact Is there
are no committee-rooms the commit
tees only meet at all by crowding some
officer out of his room. His idea was
that there had better be an inquiry as
to putting an addition to the Capitol or
in some other way meeting the want ne
referred to.
Mr.. LoyeHstein explained the resolu
ton. The new building contemplated
would provide for the State Library and
for tho public officers, many of whom
now rent Offices in different portions of
the city. No appropriation is asked
the r solution only proposes an inquiry
as to the cost, &C., Of locating such a
building on or near the Capitol Square.
BE had not the exact figures before
him, but believed that the sale Of the
property mentioned realized between
eeO, 600 and 100000. II is true. as
has been so we'll said by the Senator
from LOudoun (Mr. Heaton), that we
have no committee-rooms, but with
the Library and such other offices
as might be designated removed from
the Capitol there would then be am-
pie space for cOmmittee-rooms. Bat
the resolution simply proposes an in
quiry and no appropriation is asked.
and for the reasons stated he hoped it
would pass.
Mr.. Koiner wished to know what
this was going to cost. In the present
condition of State finances that was of
the first importance, and while it was
true the act Of Assembly bad ordered
the investment OF the money derived
from the sale Of the public property
with the view Of erecting NSpnllic build
ing. it was perfectly competent for the
General Assembly now to give the fund
another direction. Twelve years ago
he thought the basement Of the Capitol
a hOrIid place. and he could not see
how men could exist there ; but he had
found out that they got along very COM
fortabiy. A good many wanted to go
there, and got mad if they were turned
out. lie was therefore not resfy just
vet to vote for the resolution. In view
Of the recent investigation into the
fairs Of the Celerea Normal School at
Petersburg, be thought it would be well
ask what this proposed inquiry is
;oing to cost. and when the State goes
building he thought the Court OF
Appeals should be provided for.
Mr.. Berry suggested that the resolu-
ton be so amended that no money shall
be expended under it.. As the author
of the resolution under which the land
was sold. he would confess that he never
entered this Senate chamber without
some misgiving as to the weight above
his head. The Library of some $4,000
volumes is just over the Senate cham
berl He hoped the resolution would
be amended as suggested and passed.
Mr.. Loyenstein said he accepted the
amendment.
Mr.. Koiner replied that the Secretary
Of the Commonwealth had distinguish
ed himself by Encouragement of the
| Library, and had removed a cOnsidera-
bic part of the weight from over the
senator's heads.
Mr.. Heaton would vote for the reSo-
luton if amended so as to take into
consideration the practicability Of put
ting an addition to the Capitol.
Mr.. Loyensten thought that the reso-
luton was amply sufficient to allow the
committee to report on that question.
Mr.. Heaton did not think so.
The resolution was adOpted-syes,
lG; noes, :.
The resolution now goes to the
House, and if agreed to there a COM
mittee of three senator's and five dele
gates will be appointed to see, in effect
what can be done in the way Of giving
better quarters to the Library and public
officers son or near the public
square," the building to be paid for
out of the funds now invested in
bonds realized from the sale of the
Public warehouse, &c.
1t is understood that the Court Of
Appeals may be provided for in the