The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-04
Provision Was Made for its
Enlargement.
IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED
MORE LIBRARY SPACE WILL BE
NECESSARY.
BUILDING SHOULD Be FIaE.PRoof
Mere Room is Needed for Legislative Work and
for Stat, Officers. Supn me Court
building Belongs to Agri-
cultural Depar ment.

cultural Depar ment.
The Legislatures ana the architect
which built the State Capitol wisely con-
sidered that the increase in the popula
tion and business of the State would in
the future reqIare an enlargement of that
building. Accordingly the original plans,
still in the State Archives, provide for
wing to be built at the south and north
ends of the present building, and con-
nected with it by short galleries-very
much in the same manner as the Senate
Chamber and House of Representatives
have been added to the Capitol at Wash
ingtOn. Being planned by the original
architect. they are in proper proportion.
The State Library and Supreme Court
Library will both ere long need extension
of room, but the building which holds
them is so badly constructed and is so
very far from being fire proof--as library
buildings should be-that it would be
of more than doubtful policy to have
added to the present building. And now
the possibility even of doing so is cut eff
by the Agricultural Department occupy
ing the ground just north of the Supreme
Court building with its new structure
Indeed, it appears that the whole of that
ground, including that upon which the
Supreme Court building stands. was paid
for with the funds of the Agricultural
Department.
When, in the not distant future, more
space is required for the State and SUI
preme Court libraries, those departments
should be housed in fire-proof building
and on some other spot The present
building occupied by them may well be
turned over to the Agricultural Depart
ment, which paid for the ground and
which can utilize it.
would suggest, therefore, that when
an extension is necessary, north and
south wings be added to the Capitol as
provided in the original plans of that
building. In the second and third stories
of the south wing, the State Library
sh0uld be housed. and in the correspond
ing north wing the Supreme Court on
the third floor, with its library on the
second door, while on the first floor of
both wings, the committee rooms Of the
Senate and House could be placed At
each session of the Legislature the need
Of such rooms is much felt. On the
ground floor Of each wing, the additional
Offices required by the State government,
for Railroad Commission. Insurance
Commissioner. Labor Statistician and
others could also be placed, as we'll as
the aforesaid committee rooms.
In each of the wings, Easements could
be placed, which are sadly lacking in the
present building. In one, the coal could
be stored, and in the other the heating
apparatus which is now costly, because
the. heat is chilled in being brought a
long distance underground. And with
the present facilities of electric and
water-pOwer, elevators can be placed in
each wing for the use of the legislators
and those having business in the SUI
pfeme Court and in the State Library.
There is no means of placing either ele-
vatOrs or easements in the building as
it now stands.
The other States are enlarging their
capitOls or building new ones. FOrtu-
nately the original plan of ours provides
for these additional wings. They can be
so added as to conform to the architcc-
tural proportions of the present building
and increase it's beauty and at the same
time make the whole building more CON
venient by the use of elevators and base
ments for the heating apparatus and
storage The new wings, being like
the present capitol. of stone, would be
fre-proof and specially adapted for the
preservation of the State and Supreme
Court libraries from destruction by fire
to which danger they are now much ex-
posed and their loss could not be sup
piled. The rooms to be set apart for
legislative, committee rooms could also
be utilized for the storing away of ar
chiEes for which fre-proof places Of de-
post are much needed.
This may be a look ahead. but not so
very far ahead. for the increase of popu-
lation and business is making great de-
mands for more space in the capitol, a
demand which before long will become
imperative.