The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-25
WILL NOT USE IT.
East Steps of State House
Not to Be Rebuilt.
The Ten Thousand Appropriated
Not Enough.
NOT ON THE OLD STYLE
Would Have East Steps Like
North and South.
An Exciting Time Over State
House Flower Beds.

Gil sang at its meeting yesterday,
when the question of using the $1O,-
900 appropriation For rebuilding the
east steps of the state capitol was un-
der discussion.
In other words. the council voted
unanimously to refuse to use the
$4,000 allowed by the legislature.
The east steps of the state house will
have to remain in their present con-
dition for another two years.
1t is not claimed that the $4,000 is
tainted money. The only trouble with
it is that it isn't enough. The $1O.-
600 would rebuild the east steps on
the present architectural plan. But
the council wants to make the east
steps look like the north and south
steps, and it will take more than
$4,000 to do this. The man who
instigated the revolt against rebuild
ing the old steps on exactly the pres
ent plans is E T. Fairchild, of Ellis
worth, superintendent of education
Mr.. Fairchild has an eye for art, and
he has insisted that the east steps of
the state house are an architectural
blotch, as compared with the north
and south steps He wants big,
broad, generous looking stairway con-
structed, with wings sticking out on
both sides, instead of fenced in
flight of steps such as exist at pres
ent.
1--WE don't want to rebuild those old
steps on the present abominable style
Of architecture, declared Governor
Hoch- The other members agreed
with him. Better wait few years
and get good big appropriation,
enough to reconstruct the entire east
wing" said Mr.. Fairchild.
The state will draw a little money
out of the governors contingent fund
and patch up the place in the east
steps where a stone has caved in.
Usually the meeting of the state
executive council is a very dull and
unimportant proceeding. The meet
exception to the rule.
To those unfamiliar with that body
1T might be stated that the executive
council is composed of the governor.
state auditor. attorney general, and
superintendent of education.
All these were present Wednesday
afternoon except the attorney gem
eral.
There was quite scrap about the
state house flower beds. State Auditor
James Nation said that the legislature
had given the executive council no
money for fixing up flower beds.
unit! July L. said Mr.. Nation. land
the 5000 available then is intended for
next year
Why ISN'T there some left for US
child. superintendent of education
THAT was all used up last year. I'm
in favor of simply letting these flower
beds go. Let the gardener seed them
down to grass. If the legislature wants
flower beds it ought to give us the
money for them"
''Oh, we don't want to do that re-
monstrated the governor.
II say take this $500 next fall, and
pillow up the whole state house grounds,
rake out the daudelions, level it off and
start some new grass" said Nation.
What we ought to do said the gov
ernor, lis to put in water pipes under
the whole lawn, with hydrants every
30 feet, dig our own wells, and have all
the water we want That's the only
way we will ever have decent lawn.
1t would cost $4,000, and the legisla-
ture will do that two years hence, I
Mr. Fairchild, superintendent of edu-
cation, said he would ike to have Prof.
Dickens, of the State Agricultural col
Iege, come down here and help plan
for flowers He thought that with the
help Of the agricultural college, eht
asylum aad reform school, it would be
possible to get all the flowers needed
for 5000.
Finally it was decided by a vote of
to / to appropriate 5000 out of next
years money to buy flowers. Nation
voted against this.
>. =.
board of railroad commissioners, who
has run up the black flag of revolt
over the order of the council assigning
him to a room at the east end of the
wrist by the council. The council
notified him to vacate his room
in the west basement by May
|, and allow State Accountant
baugh was informed that he could
either take the room assigned to him,
Or else find quarters in the present
suite occupied by the railroad commits
sioners. The council talked as though
It was of the opinion that the board of
railroad commissioners might allow
Mr.. Ashbaugh to use one of the five
rooms now assigned to the board.
Rooms for the state tax commission
will be selected by State Auditor James
Nation, State Treasurer Mark Tulley
and Secretary of State Denton.
Several locations have been talked
of The tax commissioners themselves
want the rooms now occupied by the |
libraries commission, in the
south wing basement. They would |
transfer the travelling libraries over
into the Horticultural society rooms !
and move the Horticultural society up |
INTO the corridor of the top floor. The |
will have troubles of its
OWN.
department COMMANDER Fat Coney /
arrived on the scene. and asked the |
council to decorate the state house for J
he state encampment to be held here |
from May Z to 8. He told of the ex-
.ensive preparations for decorations |
being made by the citizens of Topeka. !
The council decided to use its one
string of electric lights on the front of |
he building, and hang out what bunt- |
ng and flags it has on hand.
Has the state any money avail |
able ?" asked Governor Hoch
Not a cent" said Mr.. Nation.
+'In case of n pinch" said Captain |
Coney. 1.-The G. A. r. might let you |
nave a little out of its decorating |
fund"