The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-05-20
THE NEW STATE HOUSE.
Some Country Members Object to The
Cost Of Maintenance.
THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES PLAN
Talk Here and There About a Impor-
tant Questionable New Commission
VIII Have It's Hands Full Of sugges-
tIons-How 10 save the State House.

The prospect OF IA new state house has
advai ced r pidly In tie general assem-
bly, by the passage Of tbs act authorizing
the appointment Ola board Of state house
commission. rs
There is again aroused n consideration
of the old question OF sites. Many view
the act passed az n complete endorse
ment Of tie plan II the old commission.
But oth,r, equally numerous assert that
the use Of the term ''sul stantially in
accordance with the plans OF the previ-
GUS commission" commits the new board
to that plan with very liberal modiica-
tions those liberal madifactions they
say will permit Of the construction OF
an entirely different building II they
deem wise.
There has today been a revival OF the
objections to the present plan, particu-
larry on the part of the country #+Hf-
bers. 10 "A News reporter his morning
one OF these gentlemen pointed out what
TO his mind l. the essential defect OF that
plan. 1.-THE trouble" says he. isn't
with the idea of IA new state house. We
in the country are willing to see and In
deed would be glad TO see a new state
house. But II ought TO be constructed
so that IL can at least be economically
maintained. The first cost IN not NJ
seriou as the continual cost OF keeping
IL up will be.
The plau now proposed is such that
the whole building will need To be kept
optn all the year. whether the general
assembly IL In session or not. IL VIII
need To be placed on "A large plat OF lan1
aud lawns are expensive.
The Cost of Maintenance.
1.-THE Connecticut state house, which Is
somewhat larger han the one proposed
for this state. Is drawn on the same gen
,ral lines. IL you will examine the rec
ords you Will md that IL cost the state
of Connecticut In the year 1891 $27,C00 TO
maintain It's state us 1t cost In 1871
$33, 900, and that cost In continually in
creasing. Now the question for this
commission To decide on Ii how can a
of 1t reed be kept open at times when the
assembly Is not In session ="
MIR. Utter's Plan.
There was also some talk today about
the plan which Secretary Of State Utter
favors. 1t is ingenious and has many
advantages. Mr.. Utter proposes that the
state buy the square no. occupied by
the Friends Yearly meeting and others.
and extending from South Main to
Benefit streets. Upon the South Main
street front he proposes building
that shall have ON it's ground
floor the Offices of general treasurer.
auditor. school commissioner, and such
other Offices as are most frequently
sought. Gu the next floor could be
placed the Offices OF the adjutant gen.
eral, the Hoard of state charities aud
other less frequented Offices.
Thr~Shird floor could he utilized by the
governors Offices in the front OF the
building, back of which could be the two
legislative chambers. The fourth floor
could be devoted to the committee rooms
and storefooms.
Advantages OF the Plan.
This plan has the advantage Of utiliz-
ing and also preserving this present
historic state house. Built upon these
lines the third floor Of the new building
would he on q level with tho
second floor Of the present state
house e, on a level with the
present Office OF the secretary OF state.
so that the governors rooms, the legis-
lative chambers, aud the secretary OF
state would be on one floor. The old
state house could be refitted ana made
freproof, and could be entirely devote
10 the use OF he secretary OF stale and
the state library.
Secretary Utter has long advocated this
plan or something similar because II
would be less expensive, under IL the
main part Of the state house could he
closed except during the s ssioDs OF the
ass .mbly, and the expense II mainien.
anoe would be slight.