The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-10-30

programme. The Governor was warmly re-
cetved by the large crowd and his speech
was frequently punctuated by applause.
BY way of preface the Governor stated
that he regarded ii not only as his priv
Iege, but as his duty to be present on this
occasion and participate in the ceremonies
house, and suggested that he would be
pleased 10 be called on to take part in SIM
liar ceremonies in number OF other coun-
ties that sadly in need Of new county
buildings. The Governor said he felt that
he had had something to do with securing
the new edifice for Putnam county as it
had been his pleasure to sign the act Of the
Legislature authorizing the County Com
missioners to call an election to decide
whether the citizens of the county wanted
the building and he told the story OF how
he was led TO sign the bill sooner than he
had intended.
ct recall that your chairman. Mr. James.
who at that time represented Putnam coun-
ty in the lower branch of the General AS
sembly. brought the bill TO me the moment
IL had been passed.. said the Governor,
land laid 1t on my desk with the request
that / sign il as soon as possible. 1t did
not occur to me that Mr.. James was in a
hurry, and tossed the bill to one side and
said l would sign IL as soon as l could get
10 It. i noticed then thar Mr.. James seemed
disappointed. but he started TO leave the
room. Then an idea evidently occurred to
him and he returned. Governor he said
appealingly. Il have been member OF the
House for three terms. and it has never
yet been my privilege to see a Governor
sign n bill Under the circuIllS tanceS there
was but one thing for me to dol signed
the bill at once. This event to-day IS the
sequel.
The programme was interspersed with
music by the Brazil and Greencastle bands
consolidated, and songs by choir OF thirty
voices. John II. Kills, q well-known soioist
of GTeencastle, also sang Kiplihg's Recess
sional."
LONG FIGHT FOR n COURTHOUSE.
The process Of securing the new court
tedious one, attended by many interesting
circumstances. The residents OF Green
castle long ago decided with unanirnity
that TIE unsightly. ramshackle structure.
long eyesore in the heart of the beauti-
full little city, should give way 10 an i'm
posing edifice in keeping with the wealth
and Importance of the county, but the
people in the rural districts did not take
kindly TO the suggestion, and they were
In the majority. The farmers held that
the old courthouse would answer al the
requirements for housing the county Of
fcerS, and could not see the necessity for
the expense of new structure when the
old one would do. Consequently. for years
the question of a new building agi-
tated and discussed by the voters as
campaign issue, but the County Commits
sioners elected were always men who did
not look with favor on the project. At
last a solution was offered by John II
James. then representing the county in the
Legislature Mr.. James secured the pass
age OF a bill. providing that the question
of building a new courthouse should be left
to a special election. The election was
held Feb IL. 1903. after a long campaign of
education. and. Judge Coliver put il in
his address. early on the morning of that
day the voters in the several precincts
arose. for once needing the admonition fire.
quently given, voted early and often, the
official returns indicating that those favor
Ing new courthouse were victorious by
majority OF $50
The new courthouse will be enc OF the
handsomest in the State and will cost when
completed $4,000. J. W.. Gaddis. OF Vim
cennes, is the architect and Caldwell &
Drake. of Columbus. are the builders. The
courthouse construction board comprises
Thomas ID. Brookshire. Samuel Judy and
'. IL. McCammack. County Commissioners.
and James Med. Hays, James l.. Randel
and George w. Hanna, appointed by the
judge OF the Circuit Court.
Among the prominent guests III attend
ance ut the ceremonies this afternoon were
Hon. +. :. Holiday. of Brazil. member of
Congress from the Fifth district. and Judge
J. Il. Wilson, of Bloomington, Judge of the
Monroe county Circuit Court.
G.. s WATTS.