The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1903-06-13

blocks. are about $50 feet square. A
great amount OF grading has been
done during the past year. but vast
amount OF work remains TO be done
before the landscape gardener can
take charge and the cement walks and
drives be laid. Neither is the work
on the inside of the building com.
pleted. though far advanced. and II
will be several weeks before all the
officials can take charge OF their new
quarters.
The original appropriation for the
capitol wac one million dollars, and
the governor was authorized 10 Issue
one million dollars worth OF per
cent. bonds. TO be used in the con.
struction. II found necessary. but for
tunately It 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-
siye than was contemplated, and 1t Is
now evident that the structure is go
ing to cost complete abort Slf2oO,000.
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 Wells,
OF Chicago, being the contractors.
Their bid was about ss33,000, but II
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 IL cling
many fond memories. When first built
IL was the handsomest structure of a
public character in the South. and
there were few anywhere that sur
passed 1t In architectural design or
beauty of finish. Even yet Il excltes
the admiration OF all visitors save
those who have grown weary with
watching for Il to collapse as WAS pre-
dicted twenty years ago 1t was liable
to do any day. The material used in
its construction was limestone quar-
ried near Raymond, fifteen miles
southwest OF Jackson, and brick made
on the grounds. The brick and the
mortar used was OF a 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 moro
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 stncco work.
This historic old building has re.
sounded TO the eloquenee 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 grieve to
think that the old landmark has erum-
Dfed into decay and must 80 soon be
demolished. The original cost of the
old capitol was about 100000.
From an historical standpoint there
Il; perhaps nc 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 grayest 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 its corridors With
their eloquence; 1t has seen politicians
tremble and quake with gratitude at
the cast OF a single ballot. while 9th
ers were buried In oblivion
All
sissIppi, in 1910. rendered her recep-
ton to Gen. Andrew Jackson. II was
here that she extended generous
welcome to Kossutb, the Hungarian
patriot, and whose memory Is still
cherished by all lovers OF liberty. II
was here the fires OF secession we're
first kindled. II was here that the
representative of the several coun-
ties declared the State out OF the
Union. It was here she bended the
knee and came back beneath the folds
OF "Old Glory" II was here aliens
and camp-followers of victorious
army arrayed the former slaves
against their old masters and taught
them the art Of office getting. II was
here that the BLACK and tan" legis-
latures assembled. II 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 RepubIlcanlsm In Mississippi
1t was here that the Constitutional
Convention OF 1900 reiegated the ne
gro to the rear and declared that
henceforth he was to have no voice In
the management OF Mississippi affairs
unless, perchance, he proved him
self worthy and entitled to the right
OF suffrage.
No wonder, then, that Mississip-
plans all consider this hallowed
spot and hesitate to wipe II out Of ex-
isteDce However, the step has been
taken. and the next legislature will
be called upon to pass an act Of demo
lition. and In a very few more years
the site will be occupied by modern
business blocks, or else the whole win
be converted into magnificent park,
where the children OF future genera
tons viii be wont to congregate and
romp and frolic.
Should Be MuzzIed, Like Dogs.