The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1923-11-15
CORNERSTONE OF NEW
COURTHOUSE Is LAID
Continued from page y

O1SdAAG0GAOI5 tile 04etHQ AImy VI GlS
Republic, whose members have always
proved their patriotism and loyalty.
You, representative citizens gathered
here, indicate the interest in this occa-
sion and compliment the aspirations
and ambitions of the county board in
deciding to erect a new temple of
justice.
"The decision to build this structure
was made after several years of con-
sideration and discussion. The rapid
growth in the population of this coun-
ty brought with it greatly increased
county and judicial business so that
each officer in the court house found
his duties doubled, trebled, and quad
rupled. This pressing demand led the
county board in 1919 to purchase the
square one block south of this spot.
After paying for it, the board with
prudent foresight accumulated build
ing fund of over 100000 from the in
come tax paid in this county, and this
amount was invested in Liberty bonds
as a starting fund. l am Informed
that the board is still continuing the
same policy and hopes to pay for the
NOAAb lOuS6 anu LCLlAC Vic NOOAS 49, -
bonds from the proceeds Of the income
tax alone without making any direct
levy on the taxable property OF the
county.
"For many months, the members of
the board had studied the problems
connected with the building of new
court house, and finally, in the early
part of 1922, selected architects and
approved plans for building to be
erected on the site which they owned.
However, before a contract was let,
the board was petitioned by the public
officials of the city of Kenosha and
many other citizens to relinquish the
block and accept this one in order to
make it possible for the city of Keno
sha to carry out its great civic center
ard city planning program. This was
done with reluctance as the county
board had displayed exceedingly good
judgment in selecting their first site,
which was a very choice one for
public building. Having decided to CO.
operate with the city, it was necessary
to have the architects re-plan the
building and adapt it to the new slte'
Soon thereafter the contract was let
and in spite of many difficulties, the
building is today we'll under way and
We are meeting here to lay its corner
stone. We feel proud of the efforts
of the county board, of the work OF
the architects, of the work Of the con-
tractor, and proud of the fact that the
people of this county are to have
modern, we'll arranged, magnificent
public building of splendid architec-
ture which will be credit to this
county and its citizens.
"My friends, have you ever given
serious thought to the meaning of a
dignifed, impressive, beautiful court
house in a city like this? What a
lesson it ought to convey to every citi-
zen. The administrative executive. and
judicial functions of our government
for this county are carried on within
it's walls. Every citizen goes to it to
secure the rights and privileges guar
anteed under our constitution. No
country in the world began its history
Offering its citizenship greater oppor-
tunities and protection in the pursuit
of their rights than the United States
of America, of which this state is an
integral part-political liberty offering
each citizen the same rights as every
other citizen in conducting the affairs
of government; religious liberty per-
hitting each of US to worship as our
conscience dictates; civil liberty offer
ing all the rights defined in the Dec
laration of independence and guaran-
teed to US by the Bill Of Rights in
our constitution. These were new
steps in government. The old nations
of Europe had failed to recognize the
full rights of the common man. What
wonder then that the oppressed and
ambitious people of many nations
flocked to our shores. For a hundred
years they have been pouring in. The
earlier immigrants knew more Of our
history. They knew more about the
fearful struggle DO obtain our indie
pendence, what long contests there
were in the legislatures and in the
courts to define the Constitution and
establish clearly the rights Of our citi-
zens. All these immigrants came here
because this nation offered civil free
dom and the first great free system of
education the world ever saw. What a
land of promise to come to-! This
court house stands here typical of our
political liberty, economic and civil
rights and guarantees. Dignified and
impressive, it demands of our citizens
reverence for our Declaration of indie
pendence, respect and obedience to our
Constitution and laws, and veneration
for the American idea of educational
opportunity and civic relationship.
This magnificent building to fulfill our
expectations must stand here as ST
lent sentinel teaching the duty of
obedience and respect for American
institutions and culture.
Judging by your countenances and
interest here today, l know you citi-
zens regret the present Generalization
in the respect and obedience which
some of our citizens have for our laws
and Constitution. In looking back
over several generations Of my ances-
tors who appreciated the privileges
given in this country, l can say for
each. of them as I know you can say
for those generations back of each of
you that they regret, abhor and con-
denim the present lack Of respect for
authority. Fellow citizens, QUA duty
today is clear. Each of us should de-
mand obedience to our laws and should
let the law breaker and disrespecter of