The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-02-04
Instructs Committee to Draw Up
Constitutional Amendment to
Be Submitted to Voters.
LEGISLATORS FAVOR ST. LOUIS.
Order Investigation Into Advisa-
bility of Occupying State
Fair Building and Induce
ments Offered.
BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.

BY A STAFF CORRESPONDENT.
Jefferson City, No., Feb. 3-Colden of
Nodaway caused a commotion in the House
this morning by introducing a resolution
censuring Jefferson City for permitting vice
to flourish without protest and paving the
way for the introduction Of a joint and
concurrent resolution providing for the re-
moval of the State capital to a more avail
able location. The resolution in full fol-
lows:
Whereas. the pulpit and press the two
recognized regulators of public morals and
public conscience, condemn Jefferson City.
the seat of government of the State of Mis-
souri,. as place where gambling. vice and
immortality flourish without protest from
the citizens or the officers of the law; and,
Whereas. the seat of government was
located at its present site in the day of the
stage coach and steamboat. and is without
adequate railway facilities and is unreason-
ably inaccessible to a majority of the peo-
Pile of the State and Is further unable to
furnish ample accommodations for a capital
city; and
Whereas. the Capitol is falling into de-
cay and is badly in need of repairs and will
require an expenditure Of 100000 an6 yet
remain inadequate to the needs of the State:
and,
Whereas. the State Of Missouri is prac-
tcally out of debt and will soon be COM
PEELED to erect new Capitol commensu-
rate to the needs and greatness Of the
State. therefore
BE 1t resolved. That the Committee on
Constitutional Amendments and Permanent
Seat OF Government be and Is hereby in
structed to prepare a joint and concurrent
resolution providing for the removal of the
capital to some point at or near one of the
great railway centers OF the State, to be
determined by a commission to be appoint
ed by the Governor and to be submitted to
the qualified voters Of the next general cleo
tion of the State of Missouri"
stampfi Of jefferson moved that the
resolution be tabled. but he was howled
down with cries of NO! Nor from all
parts Of the house.
Tichacek of st. Louis offered an amend
ment to the effect that St. Louis be Sc
lected for the capital which was voted
down.
Gardner of St Louis County then offered
an amendment instructing the committee
to investigate into and consider the ad-
'iSapihhS Va SOINSitihS lhc <hiSSoull
Worlds Fair building into a capitol struct-
ure after the Louisiana Purchase Exposi-
ton is over. This amendment was further
amended by Williams OF Scott that ST.
Louis provide 100000 for capital-removal
purposes, and 1t was adopted by the House
by a practically Unanimous vote
There has been much dissatisfaction dur
ing the present session over the difficulties
of holding the biennial session of the Gem
eral Assembly in Jefferson City. This morn
ing, a nard rain forced many members to
wade through water and mud to the Capt.
tol building. and when the Assembly con-
vened. the members were in no mood for
trifling.
When Senator Heather heard of the
resolution In the House. he Immediately
started on hunt for a copy to present
to the Senate:
II am in favor of anything which will
take the capital from Jefferson City" he
said. "Such a resolution would pass the
Senate by a big majority.
p E. BURTON.