The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-03-19
Capital Removal Agitation,

W Niilu' VI uh uCt appTONeu NuTCH
9, 1887, appropriated the sum of
$3.50, 900.
When this appropriation had been
expended in erecting two large
wings to the structure and in con-.
structing numerous committee rooms,
fire-proof vaults, lavstories and all
the co~nvcnicnccs Of q modern capi-
tol, it va, predicted and believed
that the people Of Missouri would
have a surecase of the capital res
movaI agitation for at least a gener.
alton.
These predictions and conclusions
were o o proven fallacious. Within
less than sis years from the compile
ton of Improvements to the building
authorize by the act of 1887 we
are again confronted by an agitation
more extended, because the promot-
ers of the scheme have been uccess
ful in having the question submitted
to a vote Of the people.
AS an inducement TO obtain votes
for capital removal, they propose to
deposit with the governor securities,
5 bonds or other obligations. equal in
amount to the estimated value of
the bindings and grounds at Jeffer-
son City. As provided in the act
e March Is. 1895. two reputable archi-
tects have advised the governor that
they estimate these buildings to be
worth S6o5, 000.
The proposition now confronting
the people is to remove the capital
in consideration of this estimate, or
to destroy buildings in one town
worth S6U3 900 because citizens of
another town promise to erect and
II donate to the state buildings of
equal value and architectural merit.
Ie This is substantially the proposition
for in point of accessibility to the
larger part of the population of Mis-
D. souri,, and in point Of
1t beauty Of location, the City of JEFF
ct ferson is far superior to ScdaIia.
The consideration offered is no in
ducemeni for any disinterested tax
& payer TO vote for capital removal
bt for $500. OoU, if paid up in goo'
,, faith, wuuid not make the center
piece for IL modern capitol building
in one Of the great states of thi
nation.
ss The capitol Of New York state co:
lis more thar twenty millions of dollars
he that Of Illinois about four million:
ID. and that Of Iowa more than three
The cheapest modern capital built
4, any OF the older western states
49,, recent years is that Of Indiana, whit
cost two million dollars but in til
state the Bedford and other gre'
ouarric, enables buildings to /
erected a. less cost than in mar
other states.
lde Missouri i, one Of the wealthie
.ub and gran.o-l commonwealth in Il
1ys Mississippi valley, and when 81
md needs Il new capitol, neither Sedal
rth or any other town within its bordo
will be a~kcd to build it for he
The burden will not be placed up'
ate any one community, hut borne
jav the whole taApaying people.
ntil The present capitol, with adj
res. tions recently made thereto, is col
the mensuratc with the wants and nee
stiles Of the state government
penerations TO come. To remove
em. in consideration Of a promised
tho nation OF 5000 900 is the heginni
of a state Indebtedness of not |
,.u than four million dollars.
eres When St. Louis real estate n
of first learned that the state cap
removal resolution had passed
general assembly and the nducem
IS in offered hv Sedalia was TO erect hi
5 on ings equal to the present buildil
one they Immediately came TO the Fl
stain and offered the necessary grou
date and two millions of dollars in Ell
ated provided it was located within
near the city limits of St. Louis.
The resolution submitting this
posed amendment to the constitu
aoiio was submitted on the Sth of Ma
P''es 1885, by Senator Wurdeman,
d was promptly voted down. II
s'Se gentlemen represented great wei
De- II and they also had some apprecia
'eh' Of what a modern capitol would
'ne hence their offer Of ground and
millions of dollars. As stated
some of them they did not care
uncil t~icularly about the capital, but
city. was on Wheels" or for sale,
eams were willing to give the state
re q millions, provided it was locate
o.
nder. or rear D.. Louis.
the We waru tse taxpayers of
to souri, against Tie wiios and sch'
that of town lot boomers and against