The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-03-18
All Kinds of Job Printing
Done at the Democrat 0ff;e

other yea the levy for courthouse purposes will be very light, $4,000
for interest and something for sidewalks, trees, grading and Other
incidentsls. 1t will nevcr again be half as high as this last year. all
this to shom how light tho burden OF caring the finest county
capitol in the northwest falls on the broad county of Brown.
A word about an unique feature Of Brown county's courthouse.
| Moan the farmers room. 1t is greatly to be hoped that no false
pride will. stand in the way of the wives aud daughters Of farmers
making the freest use of that beautiful room. 1t is their own pro-
perty and must prove a haven of rest after q l,ng ride in the winter
cold or summer heat.
Also a word as to location. The block upon which the court
house stands is a donation to the county from the property owners
in the vicinity, prominent among whom are E. 0. Mead, A. G.
Witte, A. I. Ward, Alvah Aldrich, w. 6. Wells, j. L. Brown and
others. There were only two blocks available, this one and the one
north of the school buildings. l think the wisdom of putting it
here, 0 convenient to the business portion Of the city, will be more
and more appreciated as time goes on. Another thing as to location
Of this courthouse. We people who live around Columbia and
waged war in defense of our possession of the county seat for years,
objected to locating the courthouse anywhere in this city, but fate
was against us. Bnt, time. has softened tie hurt of our despon-
ment, and we can unite in saying TODAY the location is all right,
Whatever we may have Thought OF the Aberdeen business
men once, now that our old quarrel is but a memory with all Of its
bitterness gone, we must acknowledge that these whoesoulel, tire
less, hustling workers, whose guests we ae today, re splendid
fellows to join with in Building up Brown county, rural and n-han,
They have won fame and prestige for the metropolis Of the James
r1ver'valley,a and we share with them the pride in this growing city
They gave not only the ground on which the courthouse stands, but
q costly clock to proclaim from the stately tower the relentless
fight Of time.
| woul like to call your attention to the care in artistic de
every cornice and moulding outside and in, either in wood stone
plaster or bronze, notice the same design. Also this Grecian
border on the mosaic floor and the wood furniture n bronze fx-
lures. a harmony OF artistic design pervades tho entire structure.
Notice the spacious elegance OF the offices and convenient
furniture. Also the contented look on the varions officials frees.
|Ihere IS only one thing lacking to make their official life a grand
sweet song and that is q cinch on denomination and reelection.
1t would not be proper for me to close without j word a.. "a
tine financial management given to thn erection! Of this shnihliny.
One the stone balustrades at the sides Of the p,rico as engraved.
the names OF the commissioners and auditor who selected the
design and closed the contract for the work. Their project has
lbsen carried forward faithfully during the last year by the new
board. There has been a vast amount of work, care and rssuon.
sibiity in the constsnt supervision of the WORK as it ,r.,,ryssed
1andsthe members of the board will agree with ms II sav
ling the big end Of the burden has fallen on the shoulders ~
Chairman Seeley. Innumerable days have been nut in bu hin,
tnat no pay will ever be asked for other than the consciousness
ct e duty well. done. No whisper has ever been heard That the
faint OF lobbery has entered into the making Of this strnctnra
/ believe the management Of construction has been as clean and
IoPen TO the light OF day as the glineling granite columns under
that stately portco. 1t is well that the pride we feel in opr
magnificent courthouse can smingle with the bride we feel III
knowlng we have honest officials The building Is none too bio
lor Q me Tor Inc People OF Brown county and It is good enough
for . hundred years. 10 the hundred years 10 come and IA
!. turn over the boautful structure. 80