Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-15
Light on Some Portland "Evidenee."

in the original estimate and appropria-
ton. This IS another of the many in
stances where Portland newspapers
know things which are not so. Either
somebody has been filling the Adver-
tiser with nonsense to make it appear
ridiculous or else it is indulSing in n
deliberate attempt to deceive the peo-
pie as to the cost of State House con-
struction. The facts of the case are
that in both Kentucky and Arkansas
new State Houses are now in process
of construction and although neither
of them is completed each of them Will
cost over 81 100000 instead of the ST.
coo 900 which the Advertiser asserts
represents their completed cost!
The Advertisers opinion regarding
the Kentucky State House is credited
TO New Jersey engineer, named Knox,
who is now in Portland and who tells
the Advertiser thar he knows all about
the Kentucky State House. Says the
Advertiser. the final specification was
that Kentucky's Capitol should MT cx-
coed million dollars and this was
adhered TO-" Now. what are the facts
regarding the Kentucky State House,
The Journal happens u have Informal
,ion from headquarters on this subject
arl if tho Advertiser cares to dispute
oar statements it can write to State
officials in Frankfort. Ky, and find
The state House now under construc-
ton in Frankfort is about two-thirds
completed. only one wing being under
roof at the present time.
The original appropriation i'll 1904
vas S1G0o.G00; in 1906 the Legislature
appropriated $3.50. 900, more to carry On
the work. and the next Legislature in
1908 will be asked to appropriate s5oo.-
600 more. with which it is hoped the
building can be carried to completion
Our correspondent in Frankfort, how
ever, writes: Many conservative
business men believe that at least ST.
100000 more instead of 500, 900 Will be
asked for an appropriation as it will
| he Impossible to complete and furnish
| the building for a less sum. SO the
| Least 81, 1GOG0J more than the original
appropriation of $1,00O,0O0. In addition
| to this, The site has cost $4,000 and the
State has an option on land adjoining
the site at $4,000 and this will I'M
ldoubtedly be purchased"
There are the facts regarding the
| Kentucky state House as given us by
a newspaper man in Frankfort To
whom We wrote for information ani
who got his figures straight from State
| officials. Instead CT being completed
within the original appropriation of
81 ,00000O as the Portland Advertiser as
serts. it Will not be completed for sew
eral years and the total expense will lie
more than $2,5D0,h00, The facts of this
| case when contraSted with what our
| Portland contemporary asserts show
the absolute disregard of truth with
| which the Portland boomers are trying
to foist this monumental folly and
| extravaganza of a new State House
upon the taxpayers of Maine.
| And now what about the Arkansas
! Illustration which the Advertiser
uses? Here. as in Kentucky instance,
the Advertiser deals again in mis-
representation. We have tn: facts and
figures regarding The arkansas State
| House just as we have those regarding
| the kentucky State House and
are prepared here and now
to call the Advertisers bluff. Here is
what the Advertiser says: Another
state whose population is about double
| that of Maine. and yet has built as big
at the cost of million is Arkansas.
The state House at Little Rock lacks
nothing N size. tnish or furnishing
that is pceded."
Here are the facts regarding the
| Arkansas State Hnus" given us by a
| reliable newspaper man of Little Rocl
| to whom we wrote for information. \
new state capitol was begun over six
years ago and. as III the case Of Ken
lucky, the estimates and appropria-
tions called for 81, 100000 The building
| is still unCompleted and an attCilpt is
being made to have the present Legis-
lature appropriate 100000 more to
| carry on the work. There have been
political scandals in connection with
this structure and nobody knows when
it will be completed or W hat the ulti-
mate cost will he. That is the situa-
4 ton in Arkansas. where. according to
the bland assertion OF the Portland
Advertiser. a new state House has
been completed II. the cost of only 81
100000!
The Convincing evidence" viii III