Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1901-06-29
The Old Capitol.


nonsense in the talk about letting the
old capitol stand.
"One argument is on the sentimental
side of the proposition, and one on
the material, 1t is argued that on ac-
count Of the history which has been
made in the old building, on account
of the memories which cluster around
it, it should be preserved, kept as a
link between the present and the past.
This is good enough, perhaps, but,
after all, the sentimental here depends
entirely upon the practical. Unless
the bul1ding can be preserved, decently
kept up, at once OYerhauled, sentiment
will not long have anything to cluster
about and cling to. In short, enough
money must be expended on the build.
ing to put it in good repair, and keep
it so, if it is attempted to preserve it,
mo legislature is going to appro-
pirate sufficient money for such a pur
pose, unless it is going to pay. The
supporters of the preservation move
ment will have to make better show
ing for their permanent exhibition"
plan than they have so far, before it
will have any weight with a legisla-
ture. Even granting the force Of all
their arguments, it is a fact that ten
thousand dollars would put up a build
ing better adapted to such an exhibit
as they propose than is the old hulk
of a capitol, Such a sum would be a
bagatelle when it came to putting the
capitol in permanent repair.
"The old building is an eyesore-a
home for bats and a place for sparrows
to live; its roofs leak, its walls are
cracked, its floors sunken, and it's
foundations no longer able to support
its weight. 1t has met the fate of all
public buildings not kept constantly,
monthly, in repair-and it tells story
of parsimonious treatment, of legisla.
tive neglect, of supper twithholden until
too late, and then doled out in driblets
from a mean and stingy hand.
yet, even in its doomed condition,
it holds lesson for the State in
her treatment of the house which is to
supplant this crumbling ruin. Only
by constant care and skilled atten-
tion-the immediate repair of every
leak or crack or sinking-can its
proper life of usefulness be assured to
the new building. There are men
living in the State who watched the
construction of the old capitol, who
will be here to see it dismantled. Such
a building should have had a longer
life-and would have, but for neglect.
The new one should last hundred
years as easily as twenty-five; it will
last no longer than the old if it re.
ceiyes no better attention.
THE old house is valuable as an OBJ
ject lesson only, and as such has serv-
ed its purpose. Let it come down"
Some of the arguments urged for a
new capitol are very strong for the
total abandonment of the old. The old
building not only leaks even to the
ground floor" but the walls are out of
plumb, and unless a large amount of
money is expended on a new roof and
foundation, some of these days there
Will be general collapse, The Capitol
City has a bright business future, and
the old capitol grounds ought to bring
a large sum for storehouses. Let the
legislature authorize the board Of
control to sell the property to the
best advantage and turn the proceeds
into the State treasury.
The attorney general passed judg-
ment, June 18th, on several matters
which seem to be of sufficient import
ance for us to put before the public
He advised the Land Commissioner to
decline to cancel the Wineman patents
issued by the Secretary of State in
1882, which would have called for the
refunding of about $1,000 of purchase
money. Also to decline to refund
Stewart, Gwynne & Co., Memphis,
$6,675 alleged to have been expended
by them in protecting their warranty
to certain lands in Issaquena county,
patented to their vendors, and sold by
them to |. L, Lyon of New Orleans He
also advised the Auditor that chart
cred institution whose purpose is to in
speCt property and report the danger
risks, which has nothing to do with
rates and is free of antagonism to our
trust laws and honestly conducted,
may do business in our State. The
Board of Supervisors of Tate county
was advised that the County Registrar
is entitled to receive, monthly, what
ever compensation the board may al
low him under section 1893 of the
code. The State Dental Association
was advised that an applicant who had
never had temporary license, and
has applied at the general examina-
ton, and failed to pass, is not entitled
to temporary license, but must wait
and try again at the next regular ex-
animation.
There was beautiful marriage
ceremony in the drawing rooms of the
executive mansion last Tuesday, when
Mrs. Longinos lovely young sister,
Miss Gay Buckley was united in
marriage to DR.. T. Il. Cooper, of
Natchez, son of ex-Chief Justice T. Il.
Cooper, now Of Memphis. Owing to
recent bereavement m the brides fam
lily, the ceremony was very quiet be-
ing witnessed only by the immediate
relatives of the bride and groom. The
young people, who are greatly beloved
in Jackson, left Immediately for their
home in Natchez, followed by the
good wishes Of hosts of friends.
Copiah county rejoices that work on
her new court house will be commenc-
ed by September list. Copiah never
does anything by halves, so we may
safely look for handsome Temple Of
Justice" when we visit Hazlehurst next
year.
Good news comes from Monroe