The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-01-07
records cannot be accommodated
their new quarters.
Orators Are Frustrated.

800 WI s + & + .
Orators Are Frustrated.
Then there are the legislative cham
bers. Both in the senate and house
there are immensely high dome roofs,
which ruin the acoustics of the two
the senate chamber. Senators in the
rear rows Of seats, cannot understand
rear rows Of seats cannot understand
ing unless the remarks are made very
distinctly and in an unusually loud tone
of voice. ~
Then there are the press press galleries.
The tha press galleries. would nsdd in
each hall for the reporters; but, such is
each so-called "press gallery" is a
space enclosed in brass ratings, where
the members of the press are Gagged.
The space enclosed is about fifteen feet
rowness will not permit of the use Of
desks or such tables as the press repre-
sentatives have been used to in the
legislative halls of the old capitol. The
rest of the "press galleries. outside Of
the reporters cages, are furnished with
the public. The press boxes are so
located in each chamber, that about a
! third of the floor below is not to be
seen, and the acoustics are so poor that
little can be heard unless the speaker on
the floor is courteous enough to the re
shout his remarks.
The galleries in the house extend all
around the chamber. But in the senate,
there is but very small gallery at the
rear, and like. one directly over the
presiding officers chair. Two hundred
people would jam the accommodations
for the public in the senate chamber. In
both house and senate, in spite. Of the
architects promise of so much extra
room, it has been found necessary to
place the desks so close to each other
that they touch.
Olsen Is Deity Concealed.
There is perhaps no office in the old
capitol visited by so many people. as
that of the superintendent of public
instruction. Many teachers call daily,
as we'll as others who have business
with the department.. In the new capt.
toll, the superintendent Of public in
away up on the top floor, in a location
where an experienced capitol guides
aid is necessary to find the hidden de-
partment. 1t is little to be wondered
at that Superintendent j. w. Olsen pre-
fers to, and is still, remaining in his
quarters at the old capitol.
There is also much criticism Of the
supreme COURTROOM ~ Cue ue" CdP!IOl.
It is q handsome auditorium, with high,
vaulted ceiling and beautiful finishings.
But there is the same fault that was
true of the courtroom in the old build
ing. There the call of the calendar had
to take place in one of the legislative
halls. so as to give accommodation for
all the attorneys. TO get $50 attor-
they would have to be placed in layers.
The new capitol has accommodations
arranged for the state dalry,and food
department, but no place for the de-
partment g laboratory. It is needless
to say this department. of state is still
at the old capitol.
Boards Crowded Out.
There is no place of meeting in the
new capitol for the various state boards
which convene at stated periods; the
normal board, the high-school board
and a dozen other boards that, because
of lack Of room in the old capitol, have
been meeting elsewhere, and which, for
the same fault in the new capitol, will
continue to do so.
There is also fault found with the
furniture furnished the new marble
statehouse by the capitol commission.
| Most OF it: is expensive and handsome,
but, the same fault is true with it as
! rifced Tor artistic beauty. In the gov
ernor's5 offices the furniture is particu.
larly massive and elegant-and unsat-
isfactory for practical purposes. This
is particularly true of the desk pro
yided for the governors stenographer
In the Offices Of the secretary Of state
have been absolutely no desks provided
for the heads of the departments, who
, have, accordingly brought their dingy
oak desks from the old capitol. This
old furniture looks particularly ancient
! alongside Of the new furnishings.
, In addition, there are many mino?
details Wh1ch are uns a iron N
. those employed in the new capitol art
. heard to daily COMPLAIN.