Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1907-01-02
oovERNoR couRTs INvpsTTaATIox
PeHnypaeker Takes Bold stand on
Capitol Scandal


Capitol Scandal
HARRISBURG, Pa. Jan. 1.-The general
assembly Of Pennsylvania convened at noon
today. After the organisation and reading
Of Governor Pennypacker's last message
recess was taken until January II TO give
the presiding officers time to select the
standing committees. The republican party
Is In a majority in both houses. In his adj
dress the governor said;
IF Il be true, as some philosophical OBJ
servers have written, that those events
which attract the attention of mankind
and fill its histories come to individuals as
tragedies and misfortunes and to nations
as wars, pestilenccs and famine, the af-
fairs OF Pennsylvania at the present time
are not likely to be conspicuous in annals
OF to be pleasing to those whose business
is in exploitation of calamity and failure,
What was once written OF another people,
and Judah and Israel .dwelt safely, every
man under his vine and under his fig tree,
from Dan even to Beersheba,' may be re-
peated Of those who now dwell between
the Delaware and the Ohio. II is alto
gether a story Of unprecedented prosperity
and unusual accomplishment"
The governor then takes up state mat
ers. dealing with q score of subjects. the
versy over the decorations and furnishings
Of the new state capitol. The erection Of
this structure cost. $,500.0o0 and the deco
rations and furnishings 100000. Charges
of extravaganza were made in connection
with the expenditure of 100000. and the
matter was made an issue in the last guber-
Material campaign. The money was largely
expended by the Board OF Public Grounds
and Buildings, of which the governor by
virtue Of his Office is member.
The governor in his message courts an
inquiry and requests the legislature to In
vestigate the charges.
I'm the completion or the capitol" the
governor says, 1.-THE commonwealth has ac-
complished difacuit and complicated task
In manner which will reflect credit on
her for ages to COME"
Continuing. he says In part;
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 tb her swS.d 10
and New York it,ts'at least a partial truth
that the capitol, e only a return to US Of
some Of the wealth derived by the stranger
| from our own opatNraI- resources So9le OF
! the most skilled artisans and most capable
artists now living have devoted their ef.
fnG sRs peOpe some
them from distant lands, have already come
to Harrisburg for no other purpose than tc
view its attractions 1t has been its for.
tune to have been made the issue OF 20.
\ litical campaign for the governorship and
| to have been approved by the people.
! No important work was ever achieved
on this EARTH whether for the betterment
of human affairs, the enhancement Of hui
man interests or the elevation Of human
sentiment without an aftermath of query
criticism dissent, objection and even hos
tillty. The industrious farmer plows his
| field for next years crop, while birds Of
| III omen sit along the fence and croal
their displeasure. The vapors from swanpy
| grounds often obscure for a time the verJ
moon In the heavens. II would be too
much to expect the capitol, beautiful in III
proportions adornedawith the wealth OF tn,
thought of all pasttime and bu!lded for tn,
] centuries that are to follow, 70 escape tn,
| whimpers OF today. and II II cannot be de
| MED that the eyes of men tighten and thai
/ their hearts warm as they view its won
drous success, at least II can be urged tina
! II has cost q considerable sum Of money
On this subject / request and advise tina
you make thorough and complete in
| vestigation. "fi 1865