1. The STATE CAPITOL

(open Mon.-Fri. 8-4; Sat. 8-12), occupying the block bounded by Capitol Ave. and Washington, Mitchell, and Hunter Sts., is an imposing structure modeled after the National Capitol, with domed cupola, Corinthian entrance portico, and broad balanced masses. Contrasting with the gray Indiana limestone is an encircling green lawn planted with many trees, and in summer white magnolia blossoms give out a heavy perfume. On the lawn are various bronze statues of men prominent in the State's history: G. Moretti's and I. Dean Dumley's full-length figure of Joseph E. Brown, Georgia's hot-headed governor during the War between the States, here shown with his wife in a tranquil daguerreotype pose; Joseph Klein's statue of the fiery agrarian Senator Thomas E. Watson, with upraised fist in an attitude of oratorical eloquence; and Solon Borglum's graceful, spirited equestrian figure of General John B. Gordon, a member of Robert E. Lee's staff and later the first Georgia governor to hold office in the present capitol. Surmounting the dome is a bronze female figure, holding a torch in one hand and a sword in the other and, from the ground, somewhat resembling the Statue of Liberty.

Inside, the various State offices are arranged about a galleried rotunda finished in white Georgia marble and rising three full stories to the dome. Throughout the interior are placed numerous statues and memorial plaques including busts of Benjamin H. Hill, one of Georgia's most notable Confederate statesmen, and Moina Michael, originator of the Poppy Day method of soliciting funds for the benefit of the World War veterans. Flags, documents, and other relics of the War between the States are displayed on the lower floor by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, while exhibits of the State's resources are shown in the corridors of the upper floors.

When the legislature is in session the capitol swarms with life. In the chambers of the senate and house, galleries are crowded with farmers, businessmen, and members of various civic groups, while below them on the floor debates are thundered forth. By the soft drink stand in the third floor corridor other listeners stand before the radio loudspeaker to hear the broadcast of the debates.

Later in the year Edwin N. Kimball transferred the capitol property to his brother H,L Kimball, who proposed that the State purchase it from him. After turbulent debates in the senate a transaction was made whereby Kimball was to receive $250,000 in State bonds and $130,000 in municipal bonds, making a total price of $380,000. When the purchase was agreed upon in October, 1870, the general assembly required the appointment of a committee to see that the $54,500 advanced by Bullock was returned. But the committee appointed in 1872 to investigate Bullocks administration did not find that this was ever done. Kimball, when deeding the property to the State, declared it to be unencumbered. The committee of 1872 found in the executive department files, however, an agreement by Kimball guaranteeing payment of a $60,000 mortgage held by the Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company and indicating that he had given Bullock as security the certificate for the $130,000 in city bonds. Refusing to pay off the mortgage, the legislature promised agitation to secure return of the capital to Milledgeville, whereupon the city paid it and the interest. The mortgage was then transferred to the city and held uncancelled until the State made plans for the erection of the present capitol. This affair and other charges of extravagance and corruption were contributory causes of Governor Bullock's resignation and flight from the State in 1871.

At the time the capital was removed from Milledgeville to Atlanta, there was considerable dissatisfaction in some sections of the State because it had been accomplished when the Federal military regime and Republican government were in power. In 1877, after the Democrats had regained control, it was decided by referendum that Atlanta should remain the capital. Immediately the legislative body began to discuss plans for a new building, for Kimball's opera house, handsome as it was, was inadequate for the increasing number of legislators. Because of the excesses of the Bullock administration financial committees were cautious, and debates on appropriations went on for years. After many bids had been submitted, Edbrooke and Burnham, of Chicago, were chosen as architects, and construction was begun on the city hall lot which Atlanta had given to the State for a capitol site. The cornerstone was laid on September 2, 1885, and the capitol was completed on June 15, 1889, one of the few buildings of such scope to be finished within the amount appropriated.

The State Library (open Mon.-Fri, 9-4i Sat. 9-12; books must be used in Library), on the third floor, contains a large collection of Georgia material. The 79,000 volumes in the library include many rare books and an excellent historical collection, the nucleus of which was bequeathed to the State during the 1880's by Edward DeRenne, son of the founder of the famous library now a part of the University of Georgia in Athens.

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