Morning journal and courier., 1886-05-28
THE STATE HOUSE AGAIN.

An Inspection of the Building by the Committee-A Public Hearing D1s- cuaSed Hut Not Agreed Te-FinaI Ae- tfon to be Taken in Two Weeks-
 Probable Recomme n dation to Sub-
 init the question to the People.
 The Committee on State House held a meeting yesterday afternoon at o'clock. The members of the committee were all present except Alderman Hollinger. An in- spection of the State House was first made, Alderman Trowbridge of the committee do- ing the honors of conducting the committee through the labyrinths of the venerable structure After thorough investigation the committee returned to the City Hall and held meeting in the Mayors office, Alder man Graves presiding.
 Councilman Chillingworth started business by moving that the committee adjourn for two weeks, at which time they give public hearing on the matter included within the scope of the resolutions before them.
 Councilman Beers moved to amend by making the adjournment for one week, but after brief discussion withdrew his amend ment.
 Councilman Asher, speaking on the mo- tion, said he was not in favor of a public hearing. He said the matter had been thoroughly ventilated at previous hearings and he saw no need of going over the whole subject again. If such hearing was had it was likely that about the same persons would be heard and the same arguments advanced pro and con that had been heard at former hearings, and in the end they would have no more light on the subject than they now had. It was evident that there was a divided senti- ment on the question and the best and fair est way was to submit the matter to the peo- pie to decide by their votes what shall be done with the building.
 Alderman Trowbridge supported the mo- tion for public hearing in vigorous speech. He said he was aware that large number of people wanted to be heard on the question and he thought they should be given an ep- portuniiy to express their views if they so desired. There was no need of hurrying this matter. He said there were members of the Grand Army of the Republic who desired to in regard to the building and the city hay ing given them the right to occupy the building they should be given an opportu- nifty.
 Councilman Asher insisted that the ques- tion was thoroughly understood by all classes. It had been fully discussed by the public press and there was no need of any more hearings on the subject. If public hear ing was commenced it might continue for weeks or months and we would be no nearer 8 conclusion than now.
 Councilman Chillingworth called for the reading of the resolutions referred to the committee, and they were read by Assistant City Clerk Loomis. MT. Chillingworth re- ferring to one of the resolutions presented by himself and which provided in substance for leasing the State House for ninety-nine years to any responsible parties who would expend $20, 900 upon it and keep it in re- pair, said: So far as my resolution is con- T fo Ia of af- feet. The parties who suggested this plan have changed their minds and do not care to press that question any further. Before hearing Mir. Asher's remarks, said MT. Chil- lingworth, had inclined to the belief in public hearing; but in view of the fact that the question has been so thoroughly discuss ed and considered heretofore, he was inclined to Mir. Asher's views on the subject of pub lie hearing.
 Alderman Graves said if public hearing was to be had it would only be the same old story over again. Those interested in the retention or tearing down of the old struc- ture would be at the hearing as they always are. They would give their views on the subject as they have before and then retire and we should have no more light on the subject than we have now. The best way is for the Common Council to submit the question to vote of the people and as they decide so let it be.
 Alderman Trowbridge said there were many persons who were not directly interested in retaining the State House, yet they had de- cided convictions on the subject and he thought they should be allowed to give ex- pression to those convictions at a public hearing.
 Alderman Graves said that if this was the first time this subject had come up fer con- sideration he should agree with Alderman Trowbridge that there should be hearing. Heretofore only those people who had 8 di rect interest in rooms in the State House had appeared to advocate the repair of the build ing and it would be SO again To hold an other hearing would be farce. There is no use in having any more of these 'schestnuts :"
 Alderman Trowbridge said that on all mat ters of public interest the public should be heard and this was one of them. It looked to him like chicken-heartedness in the com mittee to want to submit this question to the people, So far as he was concerned he would feel humiliated in doing anything of that kind. The Court of Common Council was fully competent to settle this question. It was the work the people had sent them there to do and they should not shrink from it.
 Councilman Chillingworth said there was strong sentiment among his constituents in the Tenth ward that they would like to vote on this question, and he was not disposed to disregard their wishes in the matter.
 Alderman Graves said he did not believe, because there was a desire to submit the question to the people, that it showed any want of courage on the part of the commit tee. It was only giving the public an oppor- tunity to vote on the question of public heritage.
 A vote was then taken on MT. Ashers amendment to MT. Chillingworths motion, which was that when the committee adjourn it be until two weeks from next Tuesday, when they will meet to take final action on their report The motion prevailed and the committee adjourned.
 From the test votes taken it would seem clear that 8 majority of the committee are in favor of recommending that the question be submitted to vote of the people.
 EnterEalnments.