Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1903-12-17
Estimated Amount For State
Group Would Have Ex-
ceeded the Million
Dollar Mark.
Total

The above items and total show the
amount which has been appropriated
and expended for State improvements
at Annapolis within the past four
years, or which, as stated, have been
estimated and will be sought at the
coming session of the Legislature. The
buildings are very handsome and COM
modious and an enlargement of the
State halls and offices had become alb.
solutely necessary, still the conviction
has begun to gain ground that it would
have been better from every stand
point TO have taken this immense sum
and have erected one building which
should have been surrounded with
grounds.in keeping and that the old
State House might have been allowed
10 remain as near AS possible TO its
original state.
There can be no criticism of the
splendid efforts of Senators Spencre O.
Jones, of Montgomery county, and
Elijah Williams, of Anne Arundel
county, for their part in the matter
On the contrary these Senators de-
serve the thanks of every citizen of
the State for their success in plac-
ing the State government in fitting
surroundings. The additions could
only have been made as they were be-
cause it never would have been posi-
BILE to have had the great sum of over
million dollars appropriated in n
lump sum for public improvements, as
is we'll known by anyone acquainted
with Maryland legislatures.
Much regret is felt, however, that
conditions are such that the sum
could not have been expended in one
new building. That plan would have
presented several distinct advantages.
In the first place, all the State de-
partments would have been segregat-
ed and the result would have been n
splendid State building 1t has been
suggested that this could have been
placed to splendid advantage on the
lot now occupied by the Executive
Mansion and the whole square upon
which the Court of Appeals Building
is situated The other ad santage is
that the old State House could have
been maintained in its noble simplici-
ty as a kind of Maryland abbey and as
beautiful example Of what is admit
tedly the finest piece of English CO
lonial architecture in the United
States.
A great blunder was made in the
character of the annex TO the State
House. Instead of sincere attempt to
erect it in conformity with the origi-
nal building it is plain to see that
their idea was to construct il so that
large additional appropriation would
have to be made in order TO conform
the old portion. The bricks of the
two buildings are as far apart in
shades as red brick could be and the
new part is placed on a granite base
to the height of fifteen feet in places
while the old is adorned in this par
ticular. Then an imposing marble
portico will be placed on the annex
while the original and proper front
is of wood. This can only have the
effect of giving the old part the ap-
pearance of back building.
1t is further proposed to continue
granite trimmings around the old
portico and erect a costly white mar
Bile portico. This would remove the
slightest look of antiquity from the
State House and the plan will be
sternly resisted. Moreover, the idea
of making appropriations for a work
and carrying it out in such a way that
large additional appropriations must
be made savors too much OF Job.
The Court of Appeals Building is
impressive and commodious and very
handsome in its decorations and fit.
tings. Great regret is felt, however,
that its approaches are SO poor. 1t
occupies part of square and build
ings are right up to it. The whole
square should have been obtained and
the surroundings properly parked.
Nearly everyone to whom the matter
has been suggested agrees that the con-
centration Of the money appropriated
or which will be disbursed into one
fine building would have been the
far better course.