The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-11

Harrisburg, Aug. 10.-The laying Of
the corner stone of the new capitol
took place at noon today in the pres
ence of large gathering. The grand
lodge Of Masons of Pennsylvania were
in charge and some of the most dis
tinglshed men of the state were
present to honor the occasion. a
heavy rain fell during the ceremony
and yet it did not dampen the ardor of
those who took part. The corner stone
is that used in the historic capitol de-
stroyed by fire in February, 1897. The
guests of the capitol building commits
sion included state officials, judges of
the supreme and superior courts and
members of the Legislature.
At the close of the ceremonies a col
lation was served in the supreme court
chamber. Colonel A. x. Mcclure, of
Philadelphia. who delivered the ora
tion at the laying of the stone, was
entertained at luncheon this afternoon
by Governor Hastings at the eXecu-
tive mansion.
The act authorizing the erection of
the new capitol directs that it shall
he completed in time for use by the
next Legislature. The building will be
of plain, ordinary red brick and will
be so constructed that it may be faced
with marble. 1t will be so built that
wings may be attached at any time
for the use of the various departments
of state. The original appropriation
for the building is $550000, but it is
estimated that it will cost ten times
this amount before it is completed.
The present department of internal af-
fairs buildings and the old executive
building will eventually be removed to
make room for the departmental wings.
GOVERNOR HASTINGS SPEECH.
The ceremonies were conducted on n
large stand at the northeast corner of
the proposed capitol. At the close of
the Masonic exercises Governor Daniel
Hartman Hastings introduced Colonel
Mcclure. Concluding the governor
said:
The first session was held at Harrisburg
December 8, 1872, on which occasion GoV-
ernor Snyder in his annual message al
luded to the declaration of war by con-
Gress in language which may be appro-
priately quoted today, 'the sword of the
nation" he said (which for thirty years
has been rusting in its scabbard has been
drawn to maintain that independence
which it had gloriously achieved"
The commission appointed by The leg
islature to superintend the ConStrJ ction
of the capitol proceeded to arrange for
the erection of proper building upon
these grounds which had been set apart
and appropriated for state purposes as
early as 1854. stephen Hills, an architect
from Boston, exhibited plans which were
adopted by the commissioners, and at 10
o'clock noon, Monday, May 81, 1919, the
n
Governor Findlay. The cost of the entire
building, including the arsenal, the en-
CLOSURE and establishment of the public
grounds was s275000. The main capitol
building cost $l35,O00. The building was
completed in December, 1921, and on We'd
nesday. the I'd of January, 1922 it was
dedicated for the use by the legislature
with imposing ceremonies. 1t was this
building which was accidentally de-
stroyed by fire on the I'd of February, 1897.
The old building had an interesting
history. In it sixteen governors of Penn
sylNania were inaugurated.
Among them Andrew G.. Curtin, the
nations great war governor; John W.
Geary, the hero of a score of battles;
Hartranft, the ideal volunteer soldier;
under whose leadership AntietamS
bridge became a historic spot Hoyt the
soldier, scholar and statesman; James
A. Beaver, soldier and jurist, and Robert
L. PattisOn, twice inaugurated by au-
thority of the people of the common
wealth.
Presidents Harrison, Tyler Taylor, Lin
coin, Grant and Haves had been within
its walls and here Webster entranced an
audience with his eloquence. Lafayette
was rendered a public reception in the
old senate chamber and in 1850 a similar
honor was accorded TO tie Prince of
Wales.
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