Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1907-03-21
GROUNDS FOR
THE CAPITOL
Bill For the Enlargement Well on
Its Way to Final Passage.

largement of Capitol Park noted two
weeks ago, is much more pronounced
a present than it was then.
The Fox bill has passed the senate
by vote OF 33 to Z. When it comes
ny in the house, which it probably will
this week or next, it is believed that
whatever opposition there was will
have disappeared because the members
have come to better realize the neces-
ejty of making the improvement now
and because they have learned that the
sentiment of the people OF the state
generally is favorable.
Several of the leading daily papers
In Philadelphia have taken the trouble
to inform themselves of the exact sit
pation with the result that they are all
heartily in favor of the Fox bill.
In a recent editorial article the Phila-
dephia Inquirer, the one out-and-out
Republican organ among the dailies
OF Philadelphia most heartily approved
the measure.
The Republican Philadelphia Press
on Sunday, March 10, in a leading edi-
.oral said, The present legislature has
a unique opportunity to carry out a
Eroat public Improvement in Harris
burg through the passage Of the bin
int 0duced by Senator Fox appropriate
ng an adequate sum to develop a park
cast OF the state capitol. There should
he no hesitancy on the part of the
legislature TO secure now what should
have been secured two years ago
None of those who are back OF the park
project either conniyed at or stood for
he enormous expenditure on the capi-
tU!; but they have in season and out
Of season insisted that the legislature
NEE. the situation created by the new
capitol in progressive manner. And
the legislators should realize that such
park as is contemplated is not only
benefit to Harrisburg but to the state
o. large"
IN an editorial published Monday,
March IL. the Democratic Philadelphia
Record said regarding the capitol ex-
tension bill: There is hardly a doubt
That the house will concur in the ac-
lion of the senate. The state is rich
and can afford 70 be liberal. especially
II there is money of the taxpayers al
lady on hand to cover more exigent
needs"
The Philadelphia Public Ledger, in
dependent in politics, said in an edi
torial article published on Tuesday
March -: "Thc extension of Capitol
Park, as provided in the bill which
has already passed the senate is so
1@r rom eXcraFaSance that it is really
& measure Of economy. 1t
is sheer waste to erect a capitol build
ing and have it encompassed by
sQualor and desolation. The land be-
tween the capitol and the railroad
can still be secured at a very moder
ate cost, ana its addition to the public
grounds ought not to he deferred until
its occupation by the growing industry
Of Harrisburg Shall make its acquisi
jion still mere urgent and mach more
expensive. Philadelphia has had many
examples of large public Improvements
of this kind too long deferred as in
the failure to reserve sufficient space
around the city hall. The legislature
will be greatly at fault If il refuses
the present opportunity to make
really great city of that neglected cap
ldI vi IGHHSA 1NdHld. 1ilFIlS-
burg in its situation and surroundings
has the making of most attractive
city. The state has done little or moth
ing for it, treating it generally as a
mere railway station. The present
project is not for the benefit OF the
residents alone, though it will be a
direct help and encouragement to them
in their own civic enterprise 1t Is
rather a duty to Pennsylvania The
present legislature probably cannot re-
cover the money spent on the new
capitol but it can do much to COM
penGate for the excessive expenditure
~ providing such surroundings for
ta building as will make it in the
-ime to come a delight and pride to the
hole state
Not few donbting legislators were
cHl lVinced of the propriety of voting
for Senator FoX's bill by an illustrated
lecture given by J. Horace Mcfarland
j. The hall of the house OF representa-
tvcs last Wednesday night.
By means OF more than leo lantern
si!,es Mr. Mcfarland showed how the
capitol at Washington and the capitols
Of various states in the Union are sur
rounded by beautiful grounds, afford.
Ing fine views of those great struc-
lures. He also showed the squalid and
urattractiye condition of the section
Wing Immediately back OF Pennsylva-
MAS new state capitol which 1t is pro-
posed to take and clear off.
Mr.. Mcfarland further showed how
the city of Harrisburg proposes to give
for this great Improvement streets of
,he city amounting to more than nine
res Of land or more than one-third
nt all that it is proposed to utilize for
the enlargement of the park.
He also showed how within the last
five years harrisburg and Its citizens