Year: 1866

The STATE CAPIroL.-This question, of so much
importance to the people of California, is again
brought to their attention by writer in the sacra


mento Bee, who alleges such gross and igno-
rant bundering in the prosecution of the work. as
If true, would warrant diseontinuance OF work on
the bulding, even if it were not being erected in
locality where it is doomed to destruction by
flow. OF the manner in which the work is being
prosecuted, the writer says: ''Such new devices
in architectecture being perpetra;ed, void of
architectural principle or authority, that If the
work is not arrested. and proper examination in
stituted Of the charges have heretofore preferred
the structure, if ever completed instead of being
ornament. will be disgrace to the State The
writer then goes to point out in detail the
and blunders occurring. until the conclusion
is almost forced upon the unprejudiced mind,
that the people are engaged in the erection of a
second edition of Babel, and the work was being
confounded, by some unseen Providence Certain


is it that the Legislature. in locating the Capitol
Sacramento, performed an act of the greatest i'm
portance to the State, without due reflection, or
due information upon the subject 1t was made
one of an omnibus full of political questions at
time when Senatorial aspirants had control of the
Legislature. and were ready to carry it any place
that would best serve their advancement to the
Senatorial toga. The question of the safety and


fitness of the locality for the erection of appropri-
ate buildings, that ought to stand for ages, the
pride and boast of the State, attesting the judg-
ment discretion and character of the age erecting
them, did not enter into the question at all. 1t
was disposed of to the advantage of political sspi
rants. Sacramento and Eldorado were then large
and influential counties and had to be conciliated.
The former has thrown off the latter and adopted
Dutch Flat. Sacramento only awaited to see such
progress made with the Capitol buildings as was
supposed sufficient to insure their completion. The
State has spent much money on the Capitol build
ings, and that fact is used an argument for their
completion. 1t is falacious argument, however
and one that should not be permitted to influence
the Legislature in determining whe ther Sacramen-
to is fit locality for such buildings the State
should take a pride in erecting. Better stop one
year from next January, than to continue them to
completion and see them undermined by the food
The annual change in the grade of the streets of
Sacramento, has already destroyed the capitol
building and must ultimately place its location be-
low low water mark. This question of the fitness
OF Sacramento for the permanent location of the
Capitol, will come before the next Legislature and
continue there at each succeeding session. until it
is thoroughly ventilated, and place found where
buildings may be safely erected. To this Sacra-
mento may make up her mind. 1t is business
question with the people of the State, and as such
they will treat it. Giving the streets of Sacramen-
to another lift of ten feet. will not help that locali
ty, nor improve the present site of the capitol
buildings The conviction that great mistake
has been made is fast settling upon the minds of
the people, and they will take good that it be
rectitied.