Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1909-04-07
Tie Courthouse
EDITOR INDEPENDENT:
Dear Sir.

rD8dr
The writer contends that the court
house to be is to serve two purposes
utility and beauty. IF the latter purpose
were eliminated and only utility CON
sidered the old courthouse could be
used and additional buildings added to
provide. for sufficient space for the
transaction of county business, thus
making it unnecessary to put up an
entirely new building and saving the
county many thousand dollars. Since
money has been provided for the con-
struction of new building, the old one
not to be thus used, the supposition is
that it will be of some artistic taste and
| if the element of utility he not sacri.
feed, that it also be located where it
will add most to the appearance of the
community. You suggested block 30
in preference to block ID, when it
is generally known that block 80
is only two blocks from the present site
and that the entire block can be pur-
chased for the nominal sum of $4,000,
the wisdom of such choice would be
appreciated.
The uses to which the old courthouse
and jail could be put are not under con
sideration. This matter could be we'll
settled by offering these buildings for
sale to the highest bidder 1t has been
contended that no offer has been made.
Of course not! They have not been put
OH the market
No one dare have the presumption to
say that the old courthouse has outlived
its usefulness. If allowed to stand,
with proper care, it will outliVe in
service the youngest of our community.
This building was constructed at great
cost and was purposed to served many
more years than it has served, it was
well built, of good material and work
manship and should by no means be
destroyed
I have talked with large number of
the ranchers and out of town property
owners i'll regard to the destruction of
the old courthouse. Few if any have
expressed themselves in favor of this
waste of material and labor.
The county courthouse is in many
towns and cities removed from the
business portion of town and if we
profit from the experience and practice
of others we will select slightly loca-
ton, easily reached from the center of
town
Elko is Il town extending in one
direction only. Tt follows the railroad
track. If in the center of town east
and west, it is in the logical center for
business. Block 30 is in the center of
town and is just far enough away from
tho track to make it free from the noise
of passing trains which has frequently
proven to be an objection to the present
site
We need a new courthouse. We need
in artistic building We need a build
ing located where it's artistic beauty can
be shown off to good advantage if at the
same time it is not too far removed
from the center of town. The site
suggested, namely block 80, is only
four blocks from the railroad tracks.
1t is as near the center of town as any
location that presents objections by
being TO near the center.
Jail labor could be used to beautify
the grounds and but little money would
be necessary to prepare the land in
block 20 for this purpose and the entire
block. could be purchased for half the
price asked for only lots next to the
present site.
TAX PAYER No. g