The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-25
TALK ABOUT THE "a. A
STATE CAPITAL
The Old Question of Removal
Being Renewed.
MONTGOMERY FRIGHTENED
Alabama Needs a Larger and Hand
somer State House-Governor Pays
for a Place of Residence Out
of His Small Salary.

Montgomery, December A.-(Special.)-
Montgomerians are very much worried with
the suggestion of removing the state capt.
tai. There was a restricting clause placed
in the constitutional bill, but everybody
knows that amounts to practically nothing.
The needs for new state house-in Mont
gomery or Birmingham-are granted by
everybody, and the question stares the
historic old city in the face, it trembles
with fear lest great Birmingham rise up in
her might and take away the one remaining
attraction.
The question is troubling Montgomery
much more than it does Birmingham.
When the Magic City decides that it ac-
tually wants the state house it can get it.
And just here is where the trouble comes.
The eagerness with which the people here
discuss the question is most amusing to the
average Birmingham citizen, who is never
giving it moments thought. In the con-
stitutional convention bill, Birmingham was
given the. privilege to levy a tax to the
amount of rs cents on the 500. This is 20
| cents per 800 more than was granted under
the famous Birmingham amendment"
Montgomerians suggest that this extra rs
cents is to be levied for the purpose of re-
Excellent way to raise the half million of
dollars to erect building that will be
credit to great Alabama as her state house.
Such structure would adorn Capitol park!
With seriousness, Alabama's capitol build
ing is disgrace to a fast-growing and pros
porous state. There is actually not de-
cent room in the building, and more par
ticularly the furnishings The walls need
a fresh coating of paint and there is a lack
of room. There is not even a place to store
many valuable records, save in the base
ment. Here they are permitted to rot.
There has been already one addition to the
present building-the supreme court wing.
This, however is used for other offices than
1t was intended. There are not even suf-
fcent rooms to supply one for each of the
supreme justices. Justice Dowdell sits with
Chief Justice Mcclellan in the consultation
room. The clerk has but one small room
in which to transact the business of the
office and receive the great throng of daily
visitors. There are but two offices in the
building with reception rooms-the Over
| nor's and secretary of state The house
chamber is but one-fifth as large as it
should be.
If the capitol is to remain in Montgomery,
the building must be enlarged. This can
be done at cost of some Sic, 900 by build
ing a wing back of either the secretary of
states Office, or the auditors office. This
done, about $50, 900 should be expended in re-
modelling the walls and putting in new fur
niture. The furniture now in use has had
fifty years service. Half of the county
court houses in the state are better fur
nished than the capitol. Too, a steam
~ lie fal1 ri,
the sessions of the legislature. There are
many portly statesmen in the assembly who
pull themselves up the winding steps every
day putting and blowing as if the next
breath would be the last.
still greater need is a suitable home for
the governor. 1t is shameful to make the
chief executive of a great state pay house
rent out of his pitiable salary of $4,000 per
annum. For this purpose the state should
own the southern part of the Capitol
Square, which is now disgrace to the
beautiful hill, covered with little shanties
This additional space is plenty large for
the erection of homes for nearly all the
state officials. beautiful idea was sug-
geSted by Governor Johnston in discussing
the needs for governors mansion" 1t
was thoroughly in keeping with the gov
ernor's idea of advertising and building
| up our state, too. THE home should be
| erected on the southwest corner of the
| square," suggested Governor Johnston,
land it should be builded of all Alabama
materials. We have the stone, marble and
brick for the walls, and for the interior
work the finest specimens of wood In the
world. Not drop of paint should be used
Besides beautiful home this would be a
magnificent advertisement of the wonderful
resources of our state"
Yet, there is another side to this question
the question of securing the money. The
state treasury is not sufficiently "loaded'
as to honor a draft upon it for the neces-
sary funds. Birmingham, it is said would
make all these necessary improvements
or better still build state house that would
be an honor to the state and donate it.
should the capital be moved there Mont
gomery has once chance. Put up the money
and make the capitol building and grounds
appear decent. With this done probably no
effort will be made to make Birmingham
the Capital City. KERSH