Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-05-09
IovvA,s CAPITOL 0UiLDiNo AND
oRouMps CHOW sloNs or
'NEoLEcr.
DusT-AND DIRT lNslpE.
Il, LAWN ALMOST RUINED
Do Meinss Newspapers Which Once
Attacked cummins' state House
Feros Blind 20 Shortcomings Of Pres.
snt Admins ration- Carroll App ints
Son TO Job Held BY Veteran.
special to Times.Republican.

special to Time1-Republican.
T Des Moines. May s.-Thers has been
considerable disposition among visitors
to the state house at Des Moine1 to
criticize the. condition In which the
building and grounds have been kept
for sometime past
During the past winter. even white
the legislature WAS in session, very
little attempt was made to keep the
walks around and in the grounds free
from snow. and particularly on the
south side Of the grounds the walks
We're In such an impossible condition
during the greater part OF the winter,
that pedestrians were compelled to
take to the road.
To avoid the long detour necessary
on account, Of the snow-drifts, citi-
zens who have occasion to pass thru
the capital grounds on their way to
and from work daily, began to take
short cuts thru the grounds. and this
practice grew to such an extent that
foot-paths were worn across the face
of the lawn in all directions. An eff
fort appears to have been made re-
Gently tc stop this, by putting up signs
reading Keep on the Grass" aud it is
to be hoped that the attempt will sue
coed. otherwise the lawn is in danger
OF being entirely ruined.
The condition Of the interior OF the
building seems to warrant some Sc
we're criticism also. During the time
the legislature was In session visitors
10 the galleries in both the house and
senate chambers. would frequently find
such an accumulation Of dust and dirt
OF the stairways and seats that ladies'
hesitated to risk serious damage to
their gowns by attending the sessions.
On April number Of the old force
OF 5anitorR were turned off. several Of
them being old soldiers, and in most.
II not all instances. their places were
filed with younger men. who are not
veterans OF the civil war. Whether
this will result In an Improvement in
the condition Of the building. remains
to be seen. but the evidence 70 far Is
not very reaSsuring.
A Change 81 Attitude.
One PECULIARLY that has occasioned
much remark IL tho attitude Of a
prominent Des Moines newspaper
towards these well known conditions.
This paper took upon itself during the
administration OF GoveTnor Cn1nmins
to watch very narrowly anything done
in or about the CAPITOL building, and
was very active In criticism OF pract-
cally eevrything that was done IN that
direction during that time. 10 now has
nothing to sAE and even fails to rise
in defense Of the old soldiers who have
been discharged from their positions.
altho It formerly was most jealous in
their behalf
Appropos inN this connection Of the
application by the present state adj
ministration Of the ~Old Soldiers
Preference Law" there has been some
little comment on account Of the fact
that the governors SON has been ap-
pointed to position in his fathers
Office. made vacant not long ago by the
discharge Of one old soldier and the
death OF another.
All this serves 10 emphasize the In
sincerity Of some politicians. who make
great pretensions to watch over the
welfare Of the state and her citizens.
and 1ntenstdes the disgust generally
felt thruout the state at the late vicious
attack by this Same Newspaper upon
the present postmaster at Des Moines,
Mr.. Kurtz.