The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-07-07
BUILDING WITH A HISTORY
ASSOCIATED WITH SOME OF
 THE MOST
Important Events and Some of the
 Greatest Names of the Republic.

@
 Virginia is to have practically a.new Capitol and at the same time preserve the grand old building around which cluster so many historical associations and which is so dear to the heart of ev- cry citizen of the Old Dominion. The Legislature appropriated $100.G00 to en- large. modernize and renOvate the clas- sic old building, but provided explicitly in the bill that there shall be no change in the general plan and architectural design. The need for this enlargement and renovation has long been felt, and the action of the Legislature meets with universal approval, for not only is the structure itself bound b yties of af- lection to the hearts of the people of Virginia, but in the rotunda stands the priceless piece of marble. Houdon's statue of Washington, the most exact reproduction of the form and features of the Father of His Country extant. Not only Virginians, but every Ameri- can and admirer on distant lands, will breathe a sign of relief to learn that this invaluable work of art is safe from possible destruction by fire and will be preserved for the admiration of genera tions yet unborn.
 While no definite plans have been drawn for the repairs and enlargement, it is known that the building will be given all practicable protection against the ravges of fire by the substitution of metal or tile floors for the present plank ones and the addition of metal roof and ceiling and the removal of all the woodwork that can be dispensed with. Moreover, the building is to be enlarg- ed to meet the growing need of the State for more ample facilities for the conduct of legislature and executive business. What was once amply large for the infant State is far too small for the Virginia of the twentieth century.
 The historic plans and outlines are to be faithfully preserved in the enlarge ment which will simly amount to an ax- tension of the north front along the lines of the present building. The plan is to extend the north front 20 feet, adding that much depth to the hall of the House of Delegates and greatly in- creasing the floor space of the apart ments now occupied by the offices of the Governor and the Secretary of the Com monwealth.
 The Capitol is one of the historic buildings of the country and within it's portals have occurred many of the most stirring events of the nations history. Its very walls are redolent with elo- quence and are shrine of freedom, Within 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 honor longer than could be furnished by any other State
 yea than any other country. Wash ington, Jefferson. Mason, Madison, Bar bour, Monroe--these are names to con- jure 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 up their voices in the his- toric walls of Virginia's Capitol
 Here Aaron Burr, an ex-Vice-Presf- dent of the United States, was ar raigned and tried in 1907 before John Marshall. the greatest of American judges. The scene when Burr arose to plead not guilty to the charge of treason was notable and dramatic in the group ing of the leading men of the day. Back of the statesmen and generals of the Revolution a small boy had climbed upon the large brass door-knob to see ever the crowd. From this position of vantage he saw it all. Forty years later field Scott, the hero of the Mexican war. Here assembled the convention of 1s29-
 30, a body whose personnel was tf