Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1902-07-12
BUILDING WITH A HISTORY
ENTs 70 vIRGINIA's
ANCIENT CAPITOL.
Associated with some Of the Most Inn
portant Events and some Of
Greatest Name of the Republic.

Greatest Name Of the Republic.
Virginia is 10 have practically O
new Capitol and 1t the sarne time
preserve the grand old building
around which cluster so manv hlstor-
ical associations and which Is so dear
to the heart of every citizen of the
Old Dominion. The Legislature APP
propriated 500. Coo to enlarge. mod.
ernie and renovate the classic old
building. but provided explicitly in
the bill that there shall be no change
in the general plan and architectural
design. The need Of this enlarge
ment and renovation has long been
felt. and the action of the Legislature
meets with universal approval. for
not only is the structure itself bound
by ties of affection TO the hearts of
the people of Virginia. but IN the ro-
tunda stands the priceless piece of
ma Dlts ilOhhOh . St0tht VI NooiAh6
ton. the most exact reproduction of
the form and features of the Father
of His Country extant. Not only
Virginians, but every American and
admirer on distant.lands. will breathe
ign of relief to learn that this in
valuable work of art is safe from pos
slble destruction by fire and will be
preserved for the admiration of gen.
erations yet unborn.
J While no definite plans have be IN
drawn for the repairs and enlarge
ment, it is known that the building
will be given all practicable protec-
tion against the of fire by the
substitution of metal or tile floors
for the present plank ones and the adj
dition of a metal roof and ceiling and
the removal of all the woodwork that
can be dispensed with. Moreover
the building is to be enlarged to
meet the growing need of the State
for more annie facilities for the o
Quoting OF legislative and executive
business. What was nee amDly large
for the infant State Is far too small
for the Virginia OF the twentieth cen
tury.
The historic plans and outlines are
to be faithfully preserved in the en-
largemenI, which will simply amount
to an extension of the north front
along the lines of the present build
ing. The plan is to extend the north
front 20 feet, adding that much depth
to the hall of the House of Delegates
and greatly increasing the floor space
of the apartments now occupied bv
the off oes of the Governor and the
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
The Capitol is one of the historic
buildings OF the country, and within
It's portals ma We occurred many of the
most stirring eved6s OF the nations his
tory. It's very walls are redolent with
eloquence and are a shrine OF free
dom. Wit hin them the fathers have
lifted up their voice for liberty. A
list OF the great men who have here
spoken would be a muster roll of hon
or longer than could be furnished by
any other State-vea, than any other
country. Washington, Jefferson, Ma
son, Madison, Barbour, Monroe
these are names TO c%onjure with. Yet
they are but a few of the great ones
that Virginia gave to the country.
and who in their day and time have
lifted mp their voices in the historic
walls OF Virginia, Capitol.
Here Aaron Burr, an ex Vice-Presi-
dent of the United States, was ar
raigned and tried in 1907 before
John Marshal, the greatest of Amer
lean judges. The scene when Burr
arose to plead not guilty. to the
charge of treason was notable and
dramatic III the grouping of the lead
ing men Of the day. Back of the
statesmen and generals of the Revo.
luton a small bow had climbed uuon
the large brass door knob to see ove
the crowd. From his position Of
vantage he saw it all. Forty years la
ter the world knew him as Gen. Win
field Scott, the hero of the Mexican
War. Here assembled the convention
of lS29.30. a BODY whose personnel
was the equal of any that has ever as
sembled. Here assembled the CONVEX
| ton tina. severed Virginia from the
Union and cast their lot for better or
worse with her sister Southern States.
Here. later. the delegates from these
States assembled as the Confederate
Congress.