Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1905-07-05

and the capital that is represented byl
the operating plants Of all Of the rail-
way companies serving the people Of
this territory amounts. in round num-
bers, to over $2,5OO,OOO,OOO.
1t is marvellous that such transfer
nation of wilderness into flourish |
ing home Of civilized beings could be
effected within the short span Of one
human life; yet the progress made
during the last decade is still more re-
markable and the most reliable indica-,
ton of the increasing wealth Of this
section of the United States Is tho
erection Of some of the finest public
buildings to be seen anywhere on the
American continent. I
The expenditure involved in the
erection Of State capitols alone counts
upward Of $25OOO.OOO. The State OF
Montana, with population Of butt
24S.4 400. has Just completed a commo-i
dious, new State House that cost inl
the neighborhood of quarter OF al
million; South Dakota ID contemplate
ing the expenditure of several thdl-|
sand dollars In charging and embel-
fishing its present legislative hall, and
its twin State to the north has already
appropriated million dollars for the
erection of beautiful new capitol to-
replace the ramshackle frame struc-I
ture that is now used as State
House; Wisconsin has recently ap-I
proved designs for new capitol that
calls for the expenditure Of $1,000
COO; Iowa has spent vast sum to re-,
build her present structure that wast
partially destroyed by fire; and Min.
nesota has just dedicated 5000, 600,
marble palace to the use Of the people,
In many respects this latter struc-9
ture is the most remarkable in the,
United States, and to the tourist trav-'
eler. who comes to st. Paul in the,
future. it will be source of pleasure
and inspiration.
When Glenn Brown, the secretary,
of the American Institute of Archi.
tects. of Washington, d. G., visited the
new capitol Of Minnesota, he declared
1t to be the finest structure in Amer
lea to-day with the exception Of the
national capitol at Washington. Not
80 much money has been spent ON Il
as has been spent upon similar build,
ings elsewhere; but, in Mr.. Browns
opinion, the artistic effect Of the struc-|
ture is unsurpassed.
The predominating feature of the;
building Is the massive marble DOME,
the largest in the United States. I'm,
til its completion the dome Of the,
Rhode Island State House at Provi,
dence held the distinction of being the,
greatest. The dome of the capitol at,
Washington Is very much larger, but
that is made of cast iron, painted
white. The domes of st. Peters Of
Rome and st. Paul's of London, like,
wise. are larger, but neither Of them
is constructed of marble.
The interior finishlngs Of the build.
Ing are magnificent. Marbles from al.
most every well-known quarry in the
world were imported for use In tho
grand halls and legislative rooms, and.
beautifully carved woods for the ex.
ecutive Offices.
To see such evidences of art and cul-
ture in a country that, but short while
ago, was considered barbarous from.
tier, is the most satisfying thing that
can happen to man who has faith In
the great destiny Of the United States
as the leader of natlons.-C. T. Greene.
in Four-Tmck News.