The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-31
.BRAND-NEW
BUILDING.
Growing Sentiment for an
Up.to-Date Structure.
POWER OF COMMISSION
1t Has Never Been Discharged and Can
Go Ahead and Expend the Sum
Set Aside by the Leg
islature.

While there is strong opposition from
the older element of the people, there
is a growing sentiment among the
to build n new Capitol, instead of spend
ing any large sum In an effort TO repair
and renovate the old structure so dear
from its historic associations. The Capt.
tol Commission, 1t Is understood, are
rather embarrassed as to what should
ne done. There is now available about
$4,000 of the 100000 appropriated by tho
General Assembly nearly two years ago.
but 1t was appropriated for specific pur~
pose, and under such conditions that 1t Is
not practicable to eNpend 1t to advantage.
The sum Is not sufficient to reconstruct
the building along the line outlined BY
the architects in the plans originally
drawn. Every cent of tho money can be
spent putting the Capitol in good repair
tlre-proofing, stuccoing and painting and
putting on a metal roof, With other In
terror change. In fact. the sum available
was found insufficient oven for. this pur-
pose, for when bids were asked for on tho
plans agreed upon, not ono was within
The sum at hand.
COMMISSION HAS MONEY.
The commission, consisting of the Gov
ernor and members OF the Senate and
still has power to go on and expend the,
sum appropriated within the limitations
prescribed in the Joint resolution creating
the body and clothing 1t with power.
Composite plans embracing features OF
those submitted by holland and 13asker-
WILL of this city, and Frye and Chester
man, Of Lynchburg. were accepted by tlR
commission. but since the bidders on the
contract under these plans did not bid
II, oh, r., xra 1f a nf tho
tract, nothing has been done. There the
matter stands. 1t would seem. that, hay
Ing accepted the plans of these architects.
they have first call upon the work. and
If tho State is under obligations to nc
cept any plansNfor the use of the 100000.
1t would seem to be those of the archl.
tects named. The only action taken by the
General Assembly at the session just
closed was to recommend the Immediate
construction of a new roof, but this was
passed only by the Senate. The House
declined to concur in the resolution.
Just what. If anything, the commission
will do is in great doubt. Certainly It
is expected to put n new metal roof on
the structure. but whether 1t will nt
tempt to do 40 before the General As
semhly reconvenes Is not announced. In
the event the present roof were removed
and the architects deemed 1t inadvisahle
ing. it might be necessary to eXpend
something more than for the provision
Of a roof.
A NEW BUILDING.
There are those who boldly cast aside
sentiment and say that what tho State
really needs Is not the repair Of the old
structure, hut new Capitol. modern In
construction and adequate to present
needs and those for another century to
come The old one might be patched up
and kent for a museum for the sake of
its glorious past and MS n concession to
the sentiment that would preserve It,
hut 1t is estimated that n new Capitol
could be constructed without Issuing
dollar OF bonds and merely using a por-
tion Of the normal revenues as fast ms
the building progressed. Those who
boldly urge the building OF n new Capitol
point to the fact that tho Corporation
Commission has to secure rooms in the
CITY Hall now. and that a new court
room for the Court of Appeals and bet
ter quarters for many OF the officers In
the Capitol are already needed, not to
mention larger and better ventilated
halls for the two houses OF the General
Assembly, Offices FOR the Governor and
other needs.
On the other hand. there Is strong.
though, by no means universal. senti-
mcnt against the RELOCATION Of tho pres
ent Ca6ftol to.,the category OF museums
and rhiics.. Some contend TINT 1t is good
enough for the present. rs It has been
for the past, and that 1t will he wears
before any other will be needed They
even declare that the present structure
is entirely safe and good for years to
come. AS to tho future. they do not at
tempt. to look SO far ahead MS to nntici-
pate what Will be needed half century
ahead, prefcrring to leave future gene
rations to look after their own needs.
THE TIME COMING.
nent Will have SO Welded to progressive.
practical ideas. hut tits predicted hy some
that within the next quarter century
Virginia must have now State IIollse,
one aden,ete for all its needs and proner-
~ representing the Commonwealth which
has a glorious future as well MS an his
toric past
The General Assembly that comes back
here this fall Will hardly take any steps
looking TO q new Capitol or to any extern