Woodville Republican. (Woodville, Miss.) 185?-current, 1903-06-13

blocks. are about $50 feet square. A
great amount Of grading has oeed
done during the past year, but a vast
amount OF work remains to be done
before the landscape gardener can
take charge and the cement walks and
dives be laid. Neither Is the work
on the Inside az the building COM
pleted, though far advsased. aHd "
will be several weeks betU<e all tbs
officials can take charge o their new
quarters.
The original appropriation for the
capitol was one million dollars. and
the governor was authorized to issue
one million dollars worth OF per
cent. bonds, 20 be used In the con-
struetion. II found necessary. but for
tunateiy II has not been necessary,
the ordinary receipts from taxes and
privileges and state convict farms
having been sufficient The last legis'
lature made an additional appropria-
tion for furniture and fixtures, the
grading has been much more expen'
sive than was contemplated, and il Is
now evident that the structure Is 60
ing to cost complete about si,250. 900.
The legislature authorized the con-
structiOn of the new capitol at its Jan.
uary, 1900. session, and work was be
gun In January. 1901, Wells 4 Wells,
Of Chicago. being the contractors.
Their bid Was about 1898, ,000, but 1t
did not include steam fittings, plumb
ing, electric lighting, grading, etc.
The Old Capitol.
The capitol which is soon to be va.
Gated by the officials of the State OF
Mississippi has done service for more
than sixty years. and around II cling
many fond memories. When first built
IL was the haHdsomest structure Of
public character in the South. and
there were few anywhere that sur
passed 1t In architectural design or
beauty Of finish. Even yet II excites
the admiration OF all visitors save
those who have grown weary with
watching for Il to collapse, As was pre-
d.cted twenty years ago II was liable
to do any day. The material used IN
its construction was limestone guar.
ried near Raymond, nfteen miles
southwest OF Jackson, and brick made
on tho grounds. The brick and the
mortar used was OF very poor quail
ty, and has crushed and crumbled
with increasing age, but the stone has
held its own, and Is as good and sound
today as when placed in position more
than three score years ago. The mas
sive pillars and the rotunda which
support the great central dome are as
fine work as is to be found anywhere
today, and there are those who de-
clare there is nothing in the new cap.
itol to excel the carvings, the finish.
| ings and the stuceo work.
This historic old building has re.
sounded to the eloquence OF Prentiss,
Henry Clay. Lamar. Jefferson Davis,
Henry S. Foote. George and host OF
others whose memory will always be
dear to the people Of Mississippi, and
there are thousands who grieye to
think that the old landmark has crum-
Dled into decay and must 50 soon be
demolished. The original cost Of the
old capitol was about 100000
From an historical standpoint there
is perhaps no building In the South
that will compare with this old cap.
itol. Beneath It's ample roof have
been held receptions and conferences
of national Importance, questions OF
the gravest import to the State and
nation have been debated In its gilded
halls, funeral orations that consigned
to the tomb men OF greatest virtues
have been delivered there. orators
whose superiors the world has never
seen have filed It's corridors with
their eloquenee; II has seen politicians
tremble and quake with gratitude at
the cast CT single ballot, while 9th
ers were buried In oblivion
1t was in this old building that Mis-
sissippi. in 1S40, rendered her recep.
tion to Gen. Andrew Jackson. II was
here that she extended G generous
welcome to Kossuth. the Hungarian
patriot. and whose memory is still
cherished by all lovers OF liberty. II
was here the fires of secession were
first kindled. II was here that the
representatives Of the several coun.
ties declared the State out OF the
Union. II was here she bended the
knee and came back beneath the folds
of "Old Glory" II was here aliens
and eamp-followers OF q victorious
army arrayed the former slaves
against their old masters and taught
them the art Of ofIice-getting II was
here that the black and tan" legis-
latures assembled. 1t was here that
articles OF impeachment were pre-
pared against .Adelbert Ames, the Mas
sachusetts governor, that hurled him
from place and power. II was here
that plans were laid for the overthrow
of black RepublicaEism In Mississippi
II was here that the Constitutional
Convention Of 1900 relegated the ne
gro to the rear and declared that
henceforth he was to have no voice In
the management Of Mississippi affairs
-uniess, pcrchance. he proved him
self worthy and entitled to the right
OF suffrage.
No wonder, then, that Mississip
plans all consider this a hallowet
spot and hesitate to wipe ii out Of ex
istence. However, the step has beeI
taken, and the next legislature viii
be called upon to pass an act OF demo
iition, and In very few more year.
the site will be occupied by moderT
buginess blocks, or else the whole vii
be converted into magnificent park
where the children sof future genera
tIons will be wont TO congregate ant
romp and fr0lie.
Should Be Muzzled, Like Dogs.
From a New York exchange comes
this: When ! see dogs and horses