St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-03-16
FLOUR CITY HORSE PLAY.
1t Is Not Amusing to the State at
large.

1t Is Not Amusing to the State at
Large.
ST. Cloud Journal-Press.
The people of Minneapolis, or a part
of them, have their heels flying in the
air just now over a scheme to secure
the removal of the capitol to that city
from st. Paul. In fact, they have a
job lot of schemes, any one of which
would be good thing for Minneapo-
lis and a very questionable investment
for the state. One is to turn over the
bankrupt exposition property to be
fitted up for a capitol building; the
idea probably being that the wheels
which have ceased to turn in that edi-
flee could be set to whirling in the
heads of future legislators, and any
possible success of the scheme would
pretty surely indicate that the change
had been made at least one session too
late. The building thus offered is ut
terly unsuited for use as a capitol and
would remain so, no matter how much,
money might be expended upon it. An
other is to donate Loring park on which
the state shall erect brand new CAPT.
toll, to the great embellishing and beau
tifying of that roomy but isolated tract
VI 1HlS WOuIu ne all nice enough
for Minneapolis, but it is difficult to
see the advantages which would re-
suit to the people of the state whose
business calls them to the capitol
In fact, there is no sentiment in the
state calling for the removal of the
capitol from st. Paul, where it has
been since the state was first organized
and even before. The spirit of hon
esty and good faith and fair play has
not died out with the people of Min
sofa. 1t is well understood that Min
neapolis has already had the lions
share of public disbursements for state
institutions in the amounts given to
the state university and the soldiers
home. 1t is also well understood that
at the time the university was located
at Minneapolis it was agreed that the
capitol should be located at ST. Paul.
Certainly good faith would dictate that
if the capitol is ever removed from St
Paul, Minneapolis should not be a
party to the scheme.
n new capitol is needed, and great Iy
needed, and the people of Minnesota
are able to build it and pay for it.
They are not passing the hat around
asking for contributions or donations,
to help them out. Nor have they any
thought of having it removed from st.
Paul, nor desire that it should be re-
moved. 81
The most serious mistake that the.
legislature has thus far made in the
matter is in not advancing the $3.50 900.
requested by the commission, one-half
to become available in 1896 and one,
half in 1897 With this fund at their,
command the commission could begin
operations promptly as soon as the
plans are approved, thus giving work
to men who greatly need employment. :
gaining all the advantages resulting
from the present low prices for mate-d
rails of nearly all kinds and securing
the completion of the building at an
earlier date than would otherwise be
possible. The present b=fitding is
cramped. inconvenient, lily ventilated
and in many ways lily suited to the
needs it is intended to meet, and this
condition is yearly becoming worse.
We have yet seen Or heard no good
reason offered why the desired advance
of funds should not be granted, and it
is to be hoped that the legislature
will yet take this better and broader
view before it adjourns.
The people of Minnesota want new
capitol; they want it built within a
reasonable time and they want it TO-
Gated at st. Paul. Minneapolis an
ties may be all well enough as a sort
Of "horse play" and may be SO en-
couraged by some members of the leg
islature, but it is a variety of foolish
ness that is not likely to become cpl
demic throughout the state at large.