The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-04-13
MUCH ADO ABOUT RENTS
Nothing Definite About State once
Room In Helena.
TALK OF REMOVING THEM
It Is Probable That the High Priced
Lewis and Clarke County
Court House viii Shelter
Officials For a While.
special blspatch to che Standard.

Special Dispatch to the Standard.
HELENA, April 12.-Ever since the iegis-
lature adjourned there has been more or
less talk about moving the state offices
out of the county building into other and
cheaper quarters. The legislature APP
propriated only $4,000 fer rent for 1895,
and this is 81 900 less than the amount
paid in previous years for the quarters
now occupied in the Lewis and Clarke
county court house.. The rental hereto
fore has been "a 900 in addition to $1,000
per year for janitor service. Several
months before the legislature met the
county commissioners served notice on
the governor that on the first OF the year
the rent would be increased to 5000 per
year, this amount to include janitor
service, heat and lights. The matter was
not brought before the legislature, and in
its zeal to reduce expenses as we'll as to
incur other and greater ones the appro-
priation for rents was decreased as
stated.
Although there has been an apparent
show upon the part of the county COM
missioners to remain firm in their do
mand for q greater rental and an equally
decided pretense on the part of the state
officers to move out, no one who Is .ac-
quainted with the situation believes there
will be any change made. 1t has been
talk aud nothing else. If the county COM
missioners cannot get what they deem q
reasonable rental they will in all proba-
bility take less. The county cannot afford
to loose even 81 900 year, and while that
rental is an extremely small amount for
the use of one-half of $200, 900 building,
1t is whole lot better than nothing.
The officials themselves do not wish tc
move IL they can avoid 1t. They are COM
fortably and conveniently CHARTERED and
could not expect to have anything half sc
good anywhere else. The state has "A oi
the very best rooms in the Lewis and
Clarke county court house. 1t has prac'
tically all of the third and fourth floors
and much the finest Offices of the first and
second.
The state furnishing board, consisting
of tho governor, the attorney general and
the secretary of state, have made q bluff
at securing other quarters. While not
actually advertising for propositions they
have received n number which are to be
formally considered before long. Tits be-
lieved their action was more to bring the
county commissioners to terms than any
real idea of securing other quarters. The
fact is no suitable quarters can be had in
the city except where they are at present.
As IL may be good many years before a
capitol 10 built the matter becomes a
serious one. 1t is not alone desirable for
the officers to have suitable quarters, but
IL il highly important that the records oi
the state, which are incalcuable in value,
should be kept in q fire-proof building.
Several proposals have been received
Probably the one given the most serious
attention, il any can be said to have had
that, is tho offer of the Electric building
corner Park avenue and Sixth. This is q
three STORY building with basement. Ever
with the most careful remodeling IL could
not contain all the Offices providing legis
lative halls were provided for the senate
and house. The building has been Offered
for $500 yearly rental, for which IL would
be remodeled on plans furnished by the
state.
The owner of the Merchants hote
building, where the last legislature met
has offered the place for $4,000 n year
which rental would not include light, heat
janitor service or elevator.
The proprietors of the Albemarle hote
would lease their building, n big four-stor.
structure, for $4,000 year.
The upper four floors of the Grant,,
block could be secured for $4,000 a year.
In all probability some arrangement
will be made soon whereby il will b.
definitely settled that the state quarter
are TO remain where they are.