The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1907-01-30

Forty years ago Philadelphia could
have secured a setting for its city hall
from 18th street on the west to 18th
street on the east, and from Arch
street on the north to Chestnut street
on the south, for comparatively small
sum of money. Probably S50,000O00
could not buy it now.
Seventy-fve years ago the whole sec
ton lying between the present capitol
park in Harrisburg and the Susque-
hanna river-which, If cleared of all
buildings. and it contained the finest
residences and most magnificent
churches in the capitol, could not now
be bought for less than S4,000,000 or
IS, 900, ,0OO-was offered to the state au-
thCrities for $4,000.
Our forefathers, in their blindness,
thought the price was more than the
state could afford to pay!
If we neglect the great opportunity
now offered to secure the land on the
other side Of the capitol, when 1t can
be bought for very moderate sum,
we shall commit as great blunder as
the state authorities did rs years ago.
A bill similar to that which will be
introduced by Senator Fox this week
was introduced in the legislature Of
1905, and passed the senate unani-
mously The lieutenant governor OF
h. NoNa ha
the senate, the speaker of the house,
and many of the leading members OF
both houses, at a public meeting, de-
clared themselves at that time enthu-
siastically in favor of the measure.
! It would undoubtedly have passed
the house without dissenting voice
as it passed the senate, had the word
not gone out just before it was ex-
pected the bill would come up in the
house that the auditor general doubt
! ed whether the funds in the treasury
would be sufficient to meet the require
ments of the schools and all the char
liable and penal institutions, asylums,
hospitals and colleges, and the other
regular expenses of government. and
leave enough to provide for the en-
largement of the capitol park.
The event proved that the auditor
general was mistaken; a magnificent
surplus was left in the treasury, and
it has been gradually growing ever
since. The revenues of the state were
| rhnrn and
will be ample funds to meet this ex-
penditure and all other legitimate ex-
penses of every kind.
Moreover, the money will not all
have to be expended in one year, but
will run over a period of three or four
years. as Il will take at least that
length of time to acquire the grounds,
clear them off, change the lines of the
streets and transform this now rather
unsightly section into a magnificent
extension of capitol park.
All should remember that this i'm
provement will be made by commits
sion to be appointed by Edwin s. Stu
art whom the people last fall, havine
confidence in his patriotism and high
purpose, elected to the great Office OF
governor.
This commission will not be made
up of citizens of Harrisburg, but viii
be selected by the governor from the
sections of the state where he can fint
men best suited for the duties. Nont
of the money will be required thl;
year, as the commission cannot, undeI
the most favorable circumstances
more than fairly start the work. Al
that can he done during the next ].
months will be for the legislature t.
pass the bill, the governor TO selec
the members of the commission ant
for the commission to get the matte
fairly under way.
The money required for this pur
pose will not in any way encroacl
upon the appropriation for schools o
good roads. the maintenance of al
state and semi-state charitable an
correctionary institutions, the prope
conduct of the state government or an
J other proper enterprise that the legi'
lature in its wisdom shall determin
. upon
This is an improvement which ever
citizen of the state should work fo
and it may be confidently asserted tha
every citizen who is acquainted wit
the situation will earnestly advocat
It,