Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-02
WANTS AN INQUIRY
PENNYPACKER URGES PROBING
OF CAPITOL SCANDAL.
Governor Asks Sitting Of Charges of
Fraud in Finishing
Structure.

HARRISBURG, Pa, January 2.-The
general assembly of Pennsylvania con-
vened at noon yesterday. The session was
entirely routine. After the organization
and the reading Of Governor Pennypack-
er's last message a recess was taken
until January IA. to give the presiding
officers time to select the standing COM
mittees. The republican party Is in a ma
jority in both houses. The real work Of
the session will begin Immediately after
the Inauguration of Governor-elect Ed
win 8. Stuart on January Is.
The governor in his message takes up
matters dealing with a score of sub
Jects, the most interesting of which is
and furnishings of the new state capitol.
The erection Of this structure cost "a 500
600 and the decorations and furnishings
100000. Charges Of extravagance
ture Of the 100000. and the matter was
made an Issue in the last gubernatorial
campaign. The money was expended by
the board of public grounds and build
ings, of which the governor by virtue OF
his Office is member.
The governor in his message courts an
inquiry and requests the legislature to make
q thorough investigation Of the charges.
I'm the completion of the capitol" the gov
ernor says, 1.-The commonwealth has &C
complished difficult and complicated task
in a manner which will reflect credit upon
her for ages to come"
Continuing. he says in part:
Capitol All Paid For.
"The capitol Is all paid for and has been
paid for out Of revenues without the i'm
position of burdens on the people. Two
alone Of the railroads of the commonwealth
pay to her annually in taxes So, $50, 22s.27
and since they are largely owned in Lon
- l. 81 In
truth that the capitol is only a return to
us of some Of the wealth derived by the
stranger from our own natural resources
Some Of the most skilled artisans and the
most capable artists now living in the world
have devoted their efforts and talents to
Its erection and ornamentation. Sixty thou
sand people, some of them from distant
lands, have already come to Harrisburg for
no other purpose than to view its attrac-
tions and ere long 1t will be that no man
anywhere will be able to claim knowl-
edge Of art as expressed In form without
| having studied the capitol Of Pennsylvania.
1t has been its fortune to have been made
the issue OF a political campaign for the
governorshp and to have been approved
by the people.
Always the Aftermath.
mo important work was ever achieved on
this earth, whether for the betterment of hu-
man efforts, the enhancement Of human In
terests or the elevation Of human sentiment.
without an aftermath Of query, criticism.
dissent. objection and even hostility. The
Industrious farmer plows his field for next
years crops while birds of Ill omen sit along
the fence and croak their displeasure. The
vapors from swampy grounds OFTEN OBJ
scure for time the very moon in the heav-
ems. It would be too much to expect the
capitol, beautiful In its proportions, adorned
with the wealth OF the thought Of all past
time and builded for the centuries that are
to follow, to escapt the whimpers OF today,
and If 1t cannot be denied that the eyes OF
men tighten and that their hearts warm
as they view its wondrous success. at
least it can be urged that 1t has cost a
considerable sum Of money. Upon this sub
ject 1 request and advise that you make a
thorough and complete inquiry.