Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1891-01-30
KENTuCKYs CAPLTAL.
Terms of the Contract Under which 1t
Was Located at Frankfort.


FRANKFORT, KY, Jan. 30.-Just at
this time. when the whole state of Ken
tucky is wrought up over the capital
question, it is interesting to note how
the seat of government was located at
Frankfort, and the terms of the con-
tract therefor Judge William Lindsay,
one Of the brightest legal minds in the
state, and probably in the country, was
member Of the Legislature Of 1888,
and in conjunction with Capt II. |.
Todd, member from Franklin county
the same session, was requested to pre-
pare a report showing how the city of
Frankfort was selected.
When the pre- sent constitutional con
ventiOn met Judge Lindsay prepared an
address in behalf of Frankforts 5 reten-
ton as the seat Of government, consist
ing of excerpts from the report alluded
to; and from this report the following
facts are obtained:
The first con tuition of Kentucky di-
TeCted that the Legislature of 1892 should
appoint commissioners to fix the seat of
government. who should have power to
receive grants from individuals of land
and material necessary to the construc-
ton of the public buildings, and make
such conditions with the holders Of the
lands selected as they should deem right
and proper, which should be agreeable
and acceptable to the grantors.
In pursuance with this requirement,
and as directed i'll the message of
Governor Shelby, the Legislature ap-
pointed commissioners to fix the perma-
nent seat of government. Robert Todd,
John Edwards, John Allen, Henry Lee
and Thomas Kennedy, were the five
commissioners selected. Several meet
ings We're held, and all the lands pro-
posed We're examined and the commits
sioners finally decided that the offer
from Andrew Holmes and other citizens
of Frankfort was the best, which was,
in substance, a large plat Of ground for
the public buildings; the use of a house
and rents from a ware house for seven
years; a number of lots to be sold, and
So. 900 in money and a large quantity of
building material, all upon the condition
that Frankfort was selected as the per-
manent seat of government,
The only provision in the first consti-
tuition regarding a change was that any
law relating thereto should be approved
by two-thirds of the members Of the
legislature. This provision was re-
dtbplcd ny llIt 0CNNll'l anu lllllu tollNll-
tutions, so that the state contracted to
make Frankfort the permanent capital
until two-thirds of the members of the
legislature decided upon its removal.
The resolution introduced into the pres
ent convention providing for the loca-
tion of the capital at the place bidding
the highest for it is i'll direct violation
of the contract with Holmes and others
by which Frankfort was selected in
1892.
AS the lands were all granted TO the
state upon condition that Frankfort re-
mained- the seat of government. it fol-
lows that if it be removed all the lots
sold by the state will revert to the heirs
OF the original owners, which would
make it rather expensive business to
make a change no matter what bonus
was offered.
Frankfort is indignant at Louisyille's
action in trying to secure the removal to
that city, but threats of "boycotting'
have not been INDUCED in to the extent
reported. Only few hot-headed mem
bers Of the board of trade spoke Of it,
and no action has been taken by that
body futher than to appoint a committee
to assist the delegate from this city in
representing its claims.
But the citizens have in their own
inimitabe way warmed themselves into
the delegates hearts in such a manner
that if the question were to come TO a
vote now il is pretty certain that Frank
fort would !aad all COmpctitcrs,