The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-02-15

FEBRUARY IS, 1889.
and allowing for the extra finish and decora-
tion of that building he thought 1t could be
built for $4,000. This method Of estimat-
ing is very common and satisfactory.
Mr.. Stevens said he had examined the con-
dition of the present building did not think
it expedient to remodel 1t. In answer TO an
inquiry of Mr. Haynes, he said he thought It
would cost 100000 to build an addition on
the representatives hall with library accom-
modations underneath. Mr.. Stevens was
sharply questioned by ex-Attorney-Genera
Baker as to whether he could safely estimate
the cost of building for the State. The
questions Of Mr.. Baker greatly pleased the
Augusta portion Of the audience which ap,;
plauded literally, but Mr.. Stevens proved
| to be witness that the astute Kennebecker
couldn't get around.
Mr.. Fassett's Plans.
Mr.. F. II. Fassett was the next introduced
and he presented his plan for Capitol.
Even the Augusta audience applauded 1t
and by that time it was so hot in the
hall that they would have liked to move
right into 1t. The plan contemplated
building about 100 by 200 feet. 1t would
give representatives hall Of 66 feet square
and two stories high. The Senate room
would be in the opposite wing and be about
forty feet square. The rotunda would be 66
feet broad and with height for galleries.
1T would be fire proof structure, perfectly
adapted to the storing OF the archives. Mr..
Fassett estimated the cost by the cost OF the
city building In Portland OF which the
was the architect In rebuilding after the fire.
The finest building that had been built In
the State is the new Portland Union depot.
1t has an expensive concrete foundation for
IN fa hnilt a hOU vet IL cost but &l5O- ODD.
For 100000 He certainly thought the
State ought to get a capitol suitable
to its dignity. Mr.. Fassett again
cited the case Of the Brown block
which cost about S150,000. He said the pro-
posed capitol would be Of granite and ex-
planned that the tower or dome in his plan
was planned after the plan Of the new nut
nicipal buildings of New York, said to be
one of the finest buildings in the country,
Hon. j. NJ. Haynes began to cross question
Mr.. Fassett eliciting the testimony that 1t is
exceedingly costly to repair an old building.
Hon. o. ID. Baker next tried to find out some
thing about architecture and upholstery and
received good deal of valuable information
from Mr.. Fassett. The venerable James w.
Bradbury next asked few questions in rela-
tion to former plans, which Mr.. Fassett had
made for enlarging the present State House.
Lew Barker, the elder, then asked when
Mr.. Fassett began the plan before them.
about four days before the committee
went down to Portland"
What cOmmittee?"
"rhis committee"
"Has this committee been to Portland?"
"Yes, didn't you know it?"
''No," General langhter.l
We'll" said Mr.. Barker, was your esti-
mate Of the cost based on the supposition
that this building was to be built in Port
land?"
"Yes."
gorp'
"No." [Uproarous laughter from all.
Portland men included.
Mr.. Barker worked the same good natuled
racket on Architect Stevens.
Mr.. 6axter's Speech.
Mr. j. P. Baxter was next introduced. He
said that since he had come to Augusta he
had heard of many claims that other cities
had upon the Capital. but he put in no
claims for any locality. Portland is the
largest city OF the State, the railroad and
commercial centre and should be the centre
for its political gatherings. He had but one
argument to offer and that was Of a financial
nature. He said he held in his hand paper
in the nature of bond. under seal. which he
would read.
The bond which is signed by the leading
and wealthiest citizens, pledges that there
shall be given the sum Of 100000, and the
price Of the proposed site on the Western
Promenade If the Capital shall be located at
Portland. Mr.. Baxter said this was his only
argument and he would let 1t stand for it
self. 1t evidently did stand for itself for the
audience loudly and heartily applauded.
Mr.. CIeaves's speech.
Hon. Nathan Cleaves was next introduced.
He said 1t was matter OF curiosity why
Augusta and not Portland was the seat OF
government. He reviewed the circumstan-
ces of the removal of the Capital Augusta
was in those days the geographical centre Of
the State, matter OF the first importance in
the old stage coach days.. But now in these
days Of easy travelling the commercial cen
tire Of the State is of more importance than
the geographical centre. "And" said Mr..
Cleayes. when you get to Portland you
have got somewhere" lApplause.l Mr..
Cleaves then briefly but comprehensiyely
showed the advantages of Portland for her
hotels, her car lines and her facilities for
keeping the legislature. Mr.. Cleaves then
went on, Il admire Augusta Tor her enter
well known fact that the cost
of living is far in excess of the cost of living
in other places This is present fact and
an historic fact"
by proving this from letter written by Sc
ba Smith, two or three years after the remov-
al to Augusta.
AUGUSTA, STATE OF MAINE,
January 10th, 1882.
The legislators like Augusta considerably well,
II 1t did not cost 'em so much more than It did IN
Portland for living. Such as had TO pay $3.50
" n S d
seven and sixpence week, and here the cheap
est could get boarded anywhere. was ten and
something about the folks here giving me pub
lie dinner. should like it pretty well, for have
had rather slim dinners where board.
Mr.. Cleaves then went on to point out the
inadequacy Of the present State House. The
small rooms, the poor desks and the narrow
galleries, entirely unfit for their occupants,
loud applausel, and TO show how, at
small cost TO the State, a new Capitol could
be obtained that the State would be proud
of. Mr.. Cleaves made an eloquent
plea that pleased the Augusta people.
Judge symonds's Speech.
Judge Symonds followed Judge Cleaves.
He said he did not claim to appear before
the committee in any other capacity than as
citizen of the State of Maine. There is
one point upon which we all agree and that
is that the State of Maine needs new State
House. There is in this building neither
comfort for people nor safety for property.
When some sudden conflagration shall! have
swept into ashes valuable records then we
shall realize in double sense the danger
of this structure. He did not believe to re-
model would save any money, rather
it would be lost as experience
has taught In many cases.
The question might arise as to whether
the State can afford to expend the money
necessary to construct new State House.
He believed it could afford it. A large sum
would be saved by the refunGing of the
State debt and without doubt the State will
receive large sum from the United States.
In addition the municipality where the
Capital should be would contribute largely
to the project. The Judge believed In
liberal expenditure of public money where
the people themselves received the direct
benefit, and there Is no danger of extraya-
gance where the money Is expended in a
legitimate manner. The State House should
be an honor to the State. 1t Is the house of
the Governor and Council. There the legis-
lature meets and the principal State officers
have their offices. He believed that salts
factory building, sufficient for all purposes.
could be erected for the sum already men.
toned and for even less.
/ Now let me say word in regard to the
place where the Capital should be located
Ii Is simply a question where the general
good demands it, and local interests must
give way. Now when / had to travel over
all parts Of the State was struck by the
general feeling l met that the Capitol Of the
State ought to be in Portland. Now, gem
tlemeu. this is WHY am here to-nicht I