The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1905-01-26
FOR LARGER CAPITOL PARK
Extension of State Grounds the
Theme of Legislators.

Members of the state legislature who
'Feathered at Harrisburg for the open
ling sessions are enthusiastic for the
}Iextension of the capitol park so that
i'the commonwealth's magnificent new
Nbuilding may be given an adequate set
nting. The necessity of doing something
that will improve the surroundings Of
the beautiful structure is apparent to
Everyone who has been at the state
lscapital.
H The project suggested Is for the state
y to purchase n section OF land bounded
n by Fourth street on the east North
\ street on the north and Walnut street
< on the south, the eastern line being
u the property OF the Pennsylvania rail-
X bought comparatively cheap and will
Y add immeasureably to the beauty of
X the state capitol AS it now stands
the great building, which vies with the
state capitols of the country, is set
nupon a hill which rises from eight to
ss twelve feet above the asphalt of Har-
4 risburg's streets. On the side facing the
= river it is approached by fine fight
: of steps and is set back from the street
y line so that some idea can be gained
.of its proportions and architectural de-
n tail on which wealth of idea has
& been expended and which will be one
OF the crowning features of the build
n ing. But even on this side tho view
Is curtailed because of the build
ings, churches and homes which make
n up the city's chief residential section
a and which would cost high in the mil
lions to purchase.
f On the eastern side, on which 1t Is
u proposed to make the improvements
Y by securing the land, the conditions
n are altogether different. The great
& building rises to the height OF seven
\ stories, crowned then by its dome.
n almost from what would be the house.
I, line. Fourth street. on which 1t faces.
N is a narrow highway, not very we'll
built and not much travelled save by
y trolley, one of the city's lines going
n by the capitol park on its way to the
n West End. State street, which runs
4 east from the building is the only one
H on which view of the capitol can be
N obtained and even on 1t only a section,
& which is limited and anything but sat-
"A isfying can be had. On the other
NJ streets one can get glimpses Of the
NJ building, which is destined to be the
N pride of state. Persons passing on
n trains have but a momentary sight Of
n the middle part of the building, moth
~ ing like what can be had In half a
~ score Of capitals where buildings are
N set with an eye to beauty.
M The plot which it is proposed that
VI the state should buy to provide de-
cent setting for its official home con-
N tains some 20 city blocks, but none
\ has any expensive buildings. On the
% contrary some Of the thoroughfareS
"a which would be abolished should the
n state take the land are among the
NJ worst in the city. AS can be CLEANED
n from the accompanying views there
" are several which in course of time
n will have to be changed as the rickety
" buildings will fall down before many
N years. Two of these highways are
II alleys in the strict sense Of the word,
II narrow, poorly built up and the home
Il of persons who either do not wish to
n or who cannot improve their condi-
n tion in life. The city Of Harrisburg
u to keep them clean and sanitary ar
& ranged to pave them full width which
n permits of frequent flushing and
" sweeping.
# Among the other buildings are one
N or two industrial plants. soap fac
H tory and a hotel and market, all of
Y them erected years ago, and only bet
ter than the bulk of the other houses
In the district because of greater size
and solidarity of construction. The
section is one whose proximity to the
state capitol has caused more than
one legislator and state official to wish
that the buildings could be leveled
and the area added to make an addi-
ton for the park. Those who have seen
capitols in other states recall the spa
cious lawns and land showing the skill
of the landscape architect and contrast
them with the poor provision made for
the home of the government of the
nations great commonwealth
There will be little opposition to the
purchase from the people who own
the land and who live in the section,
as the advantages to the whole state
are obvious, and should the legisla-
ture decide upon the purchase the S4.-
100000 building will not be hidden in
the midst OF the city.
AT recest meeting of the Vermont
state grange executive committee II