Ask the Scholar
Document scope · 1 page
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory.
For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
4526512
label
Dedication of the Madison County Court House, Anderson, IN, September 22, 1973
core
doc
dtoType
document
citationUrl
pageCount
1
Source metadata
id
4526512
sourceUrl
contentType
document
title
Dedication of the Madison County Court House, Anderson, IN, September 22, 1973
citationUrl
collections
Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
Speeches
subjects
Intergovernmental relations
Revenue sharing
iiifBase
thumbnailUrl
largeImageUrl
imageCount
1
hasImages
yes
source
import
hasTranscription
no
Source extras
naId
4526512
coverageEndDate
logicalDate
1973-09-30
month
9
year
1973
coverageStartDate
logicalDate
1973-09-01
month
9
year
1973
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
url
mediaId
f21d58d7606cdaa8
ocrText
The original documents are located in Box D35, folder "Dedication of the Madison County
Court House, Anderson, IN, September 22, 1973" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press
Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D35 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
DEDICATION OF THE MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA,
COURT HOUSE AT ANDERSON, INDIANA, 1 P.M.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1973.
Dave But Iddho
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT IS A
REAL HONOR AND PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO BE HERE
WITH YOU TODAY. WHAT A GREAT OCCASION --
THE DEDICATION OF THIS SPLENDID NEW COURT
HOUSE BUILDING IN MADISON COUNTY, THE HEART
OF AMERICA'S HEARTLAND! IT IS A GREAT
OCCASION BECAUSE IT IS A MEANINGFUL
OCCASION. IT HAS TREMENDOUS SIGNIFICANCE
FOR ALL OF YOU HERE AND, INDEED, IT HAS
SIGNIFICANCE FOR ALL OF AMERICA.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU -- THIS
OFFICIAL DEDICATION OF THE FINE NEW BRICK
BUILDING YOU CALL YOUR COURT HOUSE? I
THINK I KNOW THE ANSWER. THIS BUILDING IS
A LOT MORE THAN JUST BRICK AND MORTAR.
BERALD FORD VIBRARY
-2- This crust it location were Homals The & that The focal preceded print your
IT STANDS FOR SOMETHING.
IT STANDS AT the gave country
THE CENTER OF YOUR LIVES.
YOUR LIVES
is
in is
of
REVOLVE AROUND THIS BUILDING AND THE CITY
BUILDING ACROSS THE STREET BECAUSE THIS
today & it has in The past
CITY BLOCK CONSTITUTES A CIVIC POLITICAL
AND SOCIAL CENTER FOR ALL OF MADISON
COUNTY.
YOU KEPT YOUR NEW COURT HOUSE
TRADITIONAL -- A LOT OF BRICK AND NOT TOO
MUCH GLASS AND METAL -- BECAUSE TRADITION
IS IMPORTANT TO YOU. TRADITION SITS AT
The
THE CORE OF YOUR LIVES. YOU HAVE FOUND chatrons The part
There no an incryption in the Notromal archors Bldg in
Capital
No
THE BEST WAY TO DO THINGS, AND THAT'S THE
WAY YOU WANT TO KEEP IT.
YOU CAN BE PROUD OF THIS NEW
BUILDING -- AND PROUD OF YOURSELVES, TOO.
I THINK IT'S WONDERFUL THAT THIS NEW
you deserve special Commonation
COURT HOUSE IS ENTIRELY LOCALLY FUNDED.
-3-
NO FEDERAL MONEY. NO STATE MONEY.
YOU'RE PAYING FOR IT RIGHT OUT OF YOUR
POCKETS. THE SAME WITH THE CITY BUILDING.
MADISON COUNTY FOLKS ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE
OF THE PROUDEST TRADITION WE HAVE IN THIS
COUNTRY -- PEOPLE DOING THINGS FOR THEMSELVES.
AT THE SAME TIME, I'D LIKE TO
SAY YOU'VE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THAT DAY
IN SEPTEMBER OF 1823 WHEN THE FIRST
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MET IN A PRIVATE
RESIDENCE IN PENDLETON AND HAD TO REMOVE
A BED FROM THE ROOM SO THEY'D HAVE ENOUGH
SPACE FOR THEIR MEETING. I JOIN WITH YOU
IN OBSERVING MADISON COUNTY'S 150th
ANNIVERSARY, AND I'M SURE YOU'RE ALL
LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR SESQUICENTENNIAL
PARADE.
from 2 Community Lonia wine who alders
GERALD R.FORD LIBRAR.
a
its
means, but our
-4-
I MENTIONED EARLIER HOW PLEASED
I AM THAT YOUR NEW COURT HOUSE IS ENTIRELY
LOCALLY FINANCED. THAT CONTRASTS SO VERY
SHARPLY WITH THE MOVEMENT THAT ALL OF YOU
KNOW HAS BEEN GOING ON IN THIS COUNTRY
4 decades
IN THE PAST -- THE UNINTERRUPTED FLOW OF
POWER AND DECISION-MAKING FROM THE STATES
AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO THE BUREAUCRATS
IN WASHINGTON. THERE HAS BEEN A
MUSHROOMING GROWTH IN FUNDS AND AUTHORITY
WHICH HAVE RESULTED IN AN OVERCENTRALIZATION
AND BUREAUCRATIZED FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
beauting in The
WORST OF ALL, MUCH OF THE POWER --
AND WITH IT THE INITIATIVE AND THE
CREATIVITY -- OF OUR LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
HAS BEEN ALLOWED TO ATROPHY. AND ALTHOUGH
THE FEDERAL ESTABLISHMENT WAS GROWING BY
LEAPS AND BOUNDS IT WAS LARGELY FAILING
many many
-5-
IN ITS ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE SOME OF THE
NATION'S MOST PRESSING SOCIAL AND
ECONOMIC PROBLEMS -- HOUSING, WELFARE
TRANSPORTATION. THE POLLUTION OF THE
ENVIRONMENT, AND THE DECAY OF OUR CITIES.
IN SHORT, THE GROWING
COMPLEXITIES OF THE WORLD'S FIRST ADVANCED
INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY HAVE MADE THE SOLUTIONS
OF PROBLEMS BY A CENTRAL GOVERNMENT, FAR
REMOVED FROM THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE,
MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT.
WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT?
I AM CONVINCED THAT THE ANSWER
LIES IN REVERSING THE FLOW OF POWER AND
RESOURCES FROM WASHINGTON BACK TO THE
STATES AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES.
I REFER TO THE CONCEPT OF "THE
NEW FEDERALISM" -- THE CREATING OF
FORD & LIBRARY GERALD
-6-
new
A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FEDER AL STATE AND
In The decade The 70s
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. SAY WE SHOULD
PREPARE TO COPE WITH THE ONRUSHING
FUTURE THROUGH LOCAL PLANNING, LOCAL
SOLUTIONS, AND LOCAL ACTIONS.
WHY SHOULD WE BELIEVE THAT
WASHINGTON HAS A CORNER ON ALL THE
INTELLIGENCE AND WISDOM REQUIRED TO SOLVE
THE HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS
OF OUR CITIES? IMAGINE WHAT A RICH
HARVEST OF SOLUTIONS WE MIGHT REAP IF
DEDICATED YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN IN 100 CITIES
new
WERE SEEKING, ANSWERS TO THESE PROBLEMS
FOR THEIR OWN HOME TOWNS AND TAILORING
THOSE SOLUTIONS TO THE INDIVIDUAL NEEDS
V.
OF THEIR HOME TOWNS, INSTEAD OF ACCEPTING
4 Stanlardeyed
the
A
ILL-FITTING PLANS FROM WASHINGTON.
of
GETALD Rx FORD
-7-
FOR TOO LONG, LOCAL OFFICIALS
HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO WAIT PASSIVELY
FOR WORD FROM WASHINGTON -- AND FOR THE
BUCK THAT IMBUED THAT WORD WITH WISDOM.
IS IT ANY WONDER THAT THE BRIGHT YOUNG
PEOPLE WHO MIGHT HAVE HELPED SAVE THEIR
CITIES HAVE SUFFERED THE FRUSTRATION AND
ALIENATION THAT GO WITH POWERLESSNESS?
AT THE SAME TIME, OUR PEOPLE,
WITNESSING THE IMPOTENCE OF THEIR LOCAL
OFFICIALS AND COMPARING IT WITH THE POWER
OF THE WASHINGTON BUREAUCRATS, LOST FAITH
IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND LOST INTEREST IN
THEIR TOWNS AND CITIES.
UNDER THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE
NEW FEDERALISM -- THE SPIRIT OF
MADISON COUNTY, IF YOU WILL -- THIS WILL
CHANGE.
GLRALD FORD LIBRARY
-8-
INSTEAD OF ALIENATION OUR PEOPLE
WILL EXPERIENCE THE POWER THAT A REAL
SENSE OF PURPOSE GIVES.
INSTEAD OF THE MUCH-DISCUSSED
FEELING OF ROOTLESSNESS THEY WILL
REDISCOVER THE SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND
PRIDE OF PLACE THAT WERE ONCE A PRIMARY
SOURCE OF AMERICA'S GREATNESS.
INSTEAD OF THE
"I-JUST-DON'T-WANT-TO-GET-INVOLVED"
PHILOSOPHY, OUR PEOPLE WILL FIND THEIR
INSTINCTS FOR DEMOCRATIC ACTION AND
OBLIGATION WHETTED BY THE FEELING THAT
THEY CAN INDEED EXERCISE SOME REAL
EFFECTIVE CONTROL OVER THE FORCES THAT
SHAPE THEIR LIVES. Local decision making.
WE HAVE ENACTED GENERAL REVENUE
SHARING TO GIVE STATES AND
-9-
LOCAL COMMUNITIES MORE FINANCIAL MUSCLE.
BUT SOMETHING ELSE NEEDS TO BE PROVIDED
IF WE ARE TO REVITALIZE LOCAL GOVERNMENT
THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. WE SHOULD ALSO
ENACT SPECIAL REVENUE SHARING LEGISLATION
WHICH WOULD HELP BRING DECISION-MAKING
CLOSER TO HOME IN THE FIELDS OF EDUCATION
LAW ENFORCEMENT MANPOWER TRAINING AND
URBAN REDEVELOPMENT.
WE MUST DO MORE THAN SIMPLY
RETURN POWER AND REVENUE TO OUR CITIES
AND STATES. WE MUST ALSO INSURE THAT,
GIVEN THE POWER AND THE MONEY, THEY
DEVELOP THE LEADERSHIP AND THE
DECISION-MAKING MACHINERY TO USE THAT
POWER AND MONEY WISELY IN MANAGING CHANGE
IN REACHING OUR GREAT GOALS.
SERVID FORD LIBRARY
-10-
WE MUST AS I SAID EARLIER,
DEVELOP A TRUE AND WORKING PARTNERSHIP
BETWEEN GOVERNMENT AT ALL LEVELS IF WE
ARE TO SOLVE OUR MOST PRESSING SOCIAL
PROBLEMS.
YOUR MADISON COUNTY COUNCIL OF
GOVERNMENTS -- WITH THE THREE MAYORS AND
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ALL CENTERED IN
YOUR COURT HOUSE -- IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF
GOVERNMENT WORKING TOGETHER.
IF WE COULD GET EVEN A SEMBLANCE
OF THAT KIND OF GOVERNMENTAL COOPERATION
AT THE VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT IN
THIS COUNTRY -- FEDERAL, STATE AND
LOCAL -- WE COULD MAKE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS
IN THE SOLUTION OF OUR PROBLEMS.
LIBRARY
-11-
I AM VERY PLEASED AS I LOOK ABOUT
HERE TODAY AT HOW MADISON COUNTY FOLKS
HAVE BEEN DOING IN MEETING THEIR NEEDS.
YOUR DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENTS ARE MOST
IMPRESSIVE INCLUDING THIS NEW GOVERNMENT
CENTER, THE NEW CITY BUILDING, THE NEW
11-STORY OFFICE AND SAVINGS AND LOAN
BUILDING, AND THE NEW BANK BUILDING.
YOURS IS A COMMUNITY WHICH HAS CLEARLY
BEEN UPGRADING AND MODERNIZING ITSELF.
AS I SAID EARLIER, YOU HAVE COME
A LONG WAY SINCE THOSE DAYS IN 1823
WHEN THE FIRST SESSIONS OF COURTWERE HELD
AT WILLIAM MSCARTNEY'S HOUSE IN PENDLETON.
AS YOU ALL KNOW, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
BUILT A COURT HOUSE AND JAIL AT PENDLETON
IN 1824 FOR THE CONDUCT OF INDIAN TRIALS.
THEN THAT BUILDING COLLAPSED AND THE
GERALD FORD LIBRARY
-12-
COURT MET IN 1825 AND '26 AT THE HOME OF
MOSES PEARSON IN PENDLETON.
AND THERE'S A MOST INTERESTING
STORY ABOUT HOW THE COUNTY SEAT WAS
RELOCATED FROM PENDLETON TO ANDERSON.
JOHN BERRY OFFERED TO DONATE 32 ACRES
FOR THE PURPOSE BUT IT TURNED OUT THE
PROPERTY WAS IN HAMILTON COUNTY INSTEAD
OF MADISON. THE PROPERTY HAD TO BE ANNEXED
TO MADISON SO THE DONATION COULD BE
ACCEPTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS.
TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, THE
NEW COURT HOUSE WE ARE DEDICATING HERE
TODAY IS THE THIRD COURT HOUSE TO BE BUILT
ON THIS SITE. THE FIRST COURT HOUSE BUILT
ON THIS SPOT WAS CONSTRUCTED IN 1837
AND THE SECOND IN 1885.
-13-
TODAY WE DEDICATE THIS FINE NEW
BUILDING TO ITS FIRST USE. WE DEDICATE
IT IN THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE OF MADISON
COUNTY AND WE STATE, MOST EMPHATICALLY
THAT IT BELONGS TO THEM. WE DEDICATE IT
IN THE SPIRIT OF "DOING FOR OURSELVES,"
THE SPIRIT OF THE NEW FEDERALISM, AND --
I HOPE -- A NEW SPIRIT OF SOCIAL PROGRESS
IN AMERICA. and, one final want - in 2 short years,
the united States will celebrate its Breentinmal
200 you 1 the oldest government m the world Today
where the people control their goot their destry.
Their maybe some disnlasment 1
Dimolong is The writ from of got
COMMISSIONERS PADDOCK, BAKER m the
I but
AND ALFORD
WITH THE UNVEILING OF
it's the best
THIS PLAQUE, THE MADISON COUNTY COURT that Knowl. wer been
HOUSE IS HEREBY DEDICATED TO THE USE AND
ENJOYMENT OF THE CITIZENS OF MADISON
COUNTY.
GERALD B+ FORD VIBRARY
Franklin W hat have you power
no a minarchy or a Republic
a Republic if you com Lup.
MADISON COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER - FACT SHEET
The site for this building is a city block 215 feet square located in the center of
the downtown shopping center in a city of 70,000 people and a former site of two
previous County courthouses. The site is bounded on each side by wide city streets.
Three of which have one way traffic. The site has a ten foot difference in grade
elevations from the South-east corner to the North-west corner.
The program was to design a County Government Center to replace an earlier 20,000
square feet building built on the site 85 years ago. Provide 95,000 square feet of
space for courtrooms and all other County offices and departments.
The contours of the site solve parking problems inexpensively. Buy utilizing the
Northwest corner from Meridian Street one can enter the underground parking level
at present street level and utilizing the entire site with one parking level under
the building. The city block must also remain as a civic, political and social center
of the City and County. For this reason, the street level space was designed primarily
as a large exterior public plaza, much of it covered. The plaza contains a podium for
political speeches, rallies and reviewing stands for public parades. The plaza contains
garden walls. a fountain, trees and an area to display relics from the former courthouse
buildings.
The basement contains the mechanical equipment room, the Sheriff and Coroners offices,
dead storage room and 85 parking spaces.
The first floor is the smallest floor which will house the Treasurer, Council of
Governments, Central records, Data Processing and the Auditors offices.
The second floor is larger and located there are the Clerk, Canteen, Recorder, Township
Assessor, County Assessor, Planning Commission, Surveyor and Voters Registration offices.
The third floor is still larger and contains the Prosecuting Attorney, County Council,
County Commissioners, Agriculture Agent, Board of Health and Welfare offices.
The fourth floor houses all courts and court related facilities. We have four large
courtroom suits, each containins Judges chamber, conference room, jury room, detention
and reporters room and general office space. This floor also has two hearing rooms,
four court commissioners offices, baliff offices, court clerks filing area, probation
officers and a law library.
The officials of Madison County attempted to replace the old brick traditional structure.
For 25 years, however, the citizens were not willing to exchange the building for a new
glass and steel modern structure. We chose the generous use of brick and minimum of
glass and metal in hopes the citizens could better relate to its courthouse history.
The building was started in May 1972.
GERALD LIBRARY
SESSIONS OF MADISON COUNTY COURT
2 BEDROOM HOME.
z Main Some removed bed
to hold count
1. First sessions of Court were held at Milliam McCartney's house in Pendleton.
23.
Sessions met thene from first session of September 1823 until:
2. The Federal Government built a new court house and jail at Pendleton in April
8, 1824.
for tudians trials
3.
above
3. Upon collaspe of the old building the Court met at the home of Moses Pearson
-
in 1825-1826 in Pendleton.
4. John Berry proposed a donation of 32 acres for relocation of the County seat from
Pendleton to ANderson. County was unable to accept ground in that it was in
Hamilton County instead of Madison County. Ground was annexed to Madison County and
donation was accepted by Commissionerss.
5. Commissioners met at John Berry house ( Chief Anderson's home which stood on
site of present jail.). Berry's donation of land extended from 8th to 11th from
Meridian St to the River. Samuel C. Woodworth and Norman Way, resurveyed the
ground, since the first survey was imperfect.
6. First actual Court session in Anderson was held in home of Wm. Curtis @ 82 North
Main Street. ((Curtis was a fromer resident of Pendleton who moved from Pendleton,
when County seat was relocated.)).
7. First Court House built on East 8th eats of Main Str eet between Main and Central
about where the Lovett Building was (old Gas Company building) November 15, 1831.
8. Second Courthouse built in centre of present public square April 5, 1837 finished
November 1, 1837.
135 SALD FORD VIBRARY
9. Second Court house burned in 1880.
Howel Water
Co Hon thereff - Nort is
10 Then court met at Westerfield Block on North Main Street.
11. Rebted Hannah & Boring Building which stood on the North side of the square.
12. Present court house started in 1882 Enished 1885.
32,000 sheetter
13 Present stated count our house 1971 started in 1971
1822 its base
Thanked lat in brostoner
mood in spout.
1930'h livel on lawn
D
tave until 1923
Trie bell.
25 copies to Indianal S/C.
O
OFFICE COPY
REMARKS BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH.
REPUBLICAN LEADER, U. S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AT THE DEDICATION OF THE
MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA, COURT HOUSE
AT ANDERSON, INDIANA
1 P.M. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1973
FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a real honor and privilege for me
to be here with you today. What a great occasion -- the dedication
of this splendid new Court House building in Madison County, the
heart of America's heartland! It is a great occasion because it
is a meaningful occasion. It has tremendous significance for all
of you here and, indeed, it has significance for all of America.
What does it mean to you -- this official dedication of
the fine new brick building you call your court house? I think I
know the answer. This building is a lot more than just brick and
mortar. It stands for something. It stands at the center of
your lives. Your lives revolve around this building and the city
building across the street because this city block constitutes a
civic, political and social center for all of Madison County.
You kept your new court house traditional -- a lot of brick
and not too much glass and metal -- because tradition is important
to you. Tradition sits at the core of your lives. You have found
the best way to do things, and that's the way you want to keep it.
You can be proud of this new building -- and proud of
yourselves, too. I think it's wonderful that this new court house
is entirely locally funded. No federal money. No state money.
You're paying for it right out of your own pockets. The same with
the city building. Madison County folks are a great example of
the proudest tradition we have in this country -- people doing
things for themselves.
At the same time, I'd like to say you've come a long way
since that day in September of 1823 when the first county
commissioners met in a private residence in Pendleton and had to
remove a bed from the room so they'd have enough space for their
meeting. I join with you in observing Madison County's 150th
anniversary, and I'm sure you're all looking forward to your
sesquicentennial parade.
(more)
Page 2
I mentioned earlier how pleased I am that your new court
house is entirely locally financed. That contrasts so very
sharply with the movement that all of you know has been going on
in this country in the past -- the uninterrupted flow of power
and decision-making from the states and local communities to the
bureaucrats in Washington. There has been a mushrooming growth in
funds and authority which have resulted in an overcentralized and
bureaucratized Federal government.
Worst of all, much of the power -- and with it the initiative
and the creativity -- of our local governments has been allowed to
atrophy. And although the Federal establishment was growing by
leaps and bounds, it was largely failing in its attempts to solve
some of the nation's most pressing social and economic problems --
housing, welfare, transportation, the pollution of the environment,
and the decay of our cities.
In short, the growing complexities of the world's first
advanced industrial society have made the solutions of problems
by a central government, far removed from the lives of the people,
more and more difficult.
What to do about it?
I am convinced that the answer lies in reversing the flow
of power and resources from Washington back to the states and
local communities.
I refer to the concept of "The New Federalism" -- the
creating of a partnership between Federal, State and local
governments. I say we should prepare to cope with the onrushing
future through local planning, local solutions, and local actions.
Why should we believe that Washington has a corner on all
the intelligence and wisdom required to solve the housing and
transportation problems of our cities? Imagine what a rich harvest
of solutions we might reap if dedicated young men and women in
100 cities were seeking answers to these problems for their own
home towns! And tailoring those solutions to the individual needs
of their home towns, instead of accepting ill-fitting plans from
Washington.
For too long, local officials have been required to wait
passively for word from Washington -- and for the buck that imbued
(more)
Page 3
that word with wisdom. Is it any wonder that the bright young
people who might have helped save their cities have suffered the
frustration and alienation that go with powerlessness?
At the same time, our people, witnessing the impotence of
their local officials and comparing it with the power of the
Washington bureaucrats, lost faith in local government and lost
interest in their towns and cities.
Under the philosophy of the New Federalism --- the spirit of
Madison County, if you will -- this will change.
Instead of alienation, our people will experience the power
that a real sense of purpose gives.
Instead of the much-discussed feeling of rootlessness, they
will rediscover the sense of community and pride of place that
were once a primary source of America's greatness.
Instead of the "I-just-don't-want-to-get-involved" philosophy,
our people will find their instincts for democratic action and
obligation whetted by the feeling that they can indeed exercise
some real, effective control over the forces that shape their lives.
We have enacted general revenue sharing to give states and
local communities more financial muscle. But something else needs
to be provided if we are to revitalize local government the way
it should be. We should also enact special revenue sharing
legislation which would help bring decision-making closer to home
in the fields of education, law enforcement, manpower training
and urban redevelopment.
We must do more than simply return power and revenue to
our cities and states. We must also insure that, given the power
and the money, they develop the leadership and the decision-making
machinery to use that power and money wisely in managing change,
in reaching our great goals.
We must, as I said earlier, develop a true and working
partnership between government at all levels if we are to solve
our most pressing social problems.
Your Madison County Council of Governments -- with the
three mayors and the county commissioners all centered in your
(more)
Page 4
court house -- is a good example of government working together.
If we could get even a semblance of that kind of governmental
cooperation at the various levels of government in this country --
Federal, state and local -- we could make tremendous progress in
the solution of our problems.
I am very pleased as I look about here today at how Madison
County folks have been doing in meeting their needs. Your downtown
mall is most impressive, with its new ll-story office and bank
building and the new court house as the center. Yours is a
community which has clearly been upgrading and modernizing itself.
As I said earlier, you have come a long way since those
days in 1823 when the first sessions of court were held at William
McCartney's house in Pendleton. As you all know, the Federal
Government built a court house and jail at Pendleton in 1824 for
the conduct of Indian trials. Then that building collapsed and
the court met in 1825 and '26 at the home of Moses Pearson in
Pendleton.
And there's a most interesting story about how the county
seat was relocated from Pendleton to Anderson. John Berry offered
to donate 32 acres for the purpose but it turned out the property
was in Hamilton County instead of Madison. The property had to be
annexed to Madison so the donation could be accepted by the
commissioners.
To make a long story short, the new court house we are
dedicating here today is the third court house to be built on this
site. The first court house built on this spot was constructed in
1837, and the second in 1885.
Today we dedicate this fine new building to its first use.
We dedicate it in the name of the people of Madison County, and we
state, most emphatically, that it belongs to them. We dedicate it
in the spirit of "doing for ourselves," the spirit of the New
Federalism, and -- I hope -- a new spirit of social progress in
America.
###
Distribution 25 copies to Frank Fries
SE Indiana
M OFFICE COPY
REMARKS BY REP. GERALD R. FORD, R-MICH.
REPUBLICAN LEADER, U. S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
AT THE DEDICATION OF THE
MADISON COUNTY, INDIANA, COURT HOUSE
AT ANDERSON, INDIANA
1 P.M. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1973
FOR RELEASE ON DELIVERY
Ladies and gentlemen, it is a real honor and privilege for me
to be here with you today. What a great occasion -- the dedication
of this splendid new Court House building in Madison County, the
heart of America's heartland! It is a great occasion because it
is a meaningful occasion. It has tremendous significance for all
of you here and, indeed, it has significance for all of America.
What does it mean to you -- this official dedication of
the fine new brick building you call your court house? I think I
know the answer. This building is a lot more than just brick and
mortar. It stands for something. It stands at the center of
your lives. Your lives revolve around this building and the city
building across the street because this city block constitutes a
civic, political and social center for all of Madison County.
You kept your new court house traditional -- a lot of brick
and not too much glass and metal -- because tradition is important
to you. Tradition sits at the core of your lives. You have found
the best way to do things, and that's the way you want to keep it.
You can be proud of this new building -- and proud of
yourselves, too. I think it's wonderful that this new court house
is entirely locally funded. No federal money. No state money.
You're paying for it right out of your own pockets. The same with
the city building. Madison County folks are a great example of
the proudest tradition we have in this country -- people doing
things for themselves.
At the same time, I'd like to say you've come a long way
since that day in September of 1823 when the first county
commissioners met in a private residence in Pendleton and had to
remove a bed from the room so they'd have enough space for their
meeting. I join with you in observing Madison County's 150th
anniversary, and I'm sure you're all looking forward to your
sesquicentennial parade.
(more)
Page 2
I mentioned earlier how pleased I am that your new court
house is entirely locally financed. That contrasts so very
sharply with the movement that all of you know has been going on
in this country in the past -- the uninterrupted flow of power
and decision-making from the states and local communities to the
bureaucrats in Washington. There has been a mushrooming growth in
funds and authority which have resulted in an overcentralized and
bureaucratized Federal government.
Worst of all, much of the power -- and with it the initiative
and the creativity -- of our local governments has been allowed to
atrophy. And although the Federal establishment was growing by
leaps and bounds, it was largely failing in its attempts to solve
some of the nation's most pressing social and economic problems --
housing, welfare, transportation, the pollution of the environment,
and the decay of our cities.
In short, the growing complexities of the world's first
advanced industrial society have made the solutions of problems
by a central government, far removed from the lives of the people,
more and more difficult.
What to do about it?
I am convinced that the answer lies in reversing the flow
of power and resources from Washington back to the states and
local communities.
I refer to the concept of "The New Federalism" --- the
creating of a partnership between Federal, State and local
governments. I say we should prepare to cope with the onrushing
future through local planning, local solutions, and local actions.
Why should we believe that Washington has a corner on all
the intelligence and wisdom required to solve the housing and
transportation problems of our cities? Imagine what a rich harvest
of solutions we might reap if dedicated young men and women in
100 cities were seeking answers to these problems for their own
home towns! And tailoring those solutions to the individual needs
of their home towns, instead of accepting ill-fitting plans from
Washington.
For too long, local officials have been required to wait
passively for word from Washington -- and for the buck that imbued
(more)
Page 3
that word with wisdom. Is it any wonder that the bright young
people who might have helped save their cities have suffered the
frustration and alienation that go with powerlessness?
At the same time, our people, witnessing the impotence of
their local officials and comparing it with the power of the
Washington bureaucrats, lost faith in local government and lost
interest in their towns and cities.
Under the philosophy of the New Federalism -- the spirit of
Madison County, if you will -- this will change.
Instead of alienation, our people will experience the power
that a real sense of purpose gives.
Instead of the much-discussed feeling of rootlessness, they
will rediscover the sense of community and pride of place that
were once a primary source of America's greatness.
Instead of the "I-just-don't-want-to-get-involved" philosophy,
our people will find their instincts for democratic action and
obligation whetted by the feeling that they can indeed exercise
some real, effective control over the forces that shape their lives.
We have enacted general revenue sharing to give states and
local communities more financial muscle. But something else needs
to be provided if we are to revitalize local government the way
it should be. We should also enact special revenue sharing
legislation which would help bring decision-making closer to home
in the fields of education, law enforcement, manpower training
and urban redevelopment.
We must do more than simply return power and revenue to
our cities and states. We must also insure that, given the power
and the money, they develop the leadership and the decision-making
machinery to use that power and money wisely in managing change,
in reaching our great goals.
We must, as I said earlier, develop a true and working
partnership between government at all levels if we are to solve
our most pressing social problems.
Your Madison County Council of Governments -- with the
three mayors and the county commissioners all centered in your
(more)
Page 4
court house -- is a good example of government working together.
If we could get even a semblance of that kind of governmental
cooperation at the various levels of government in this country --
Federal, state and local -- we could make tremendous progress in
the solution of our problems.
I am very pleased as I look about here today at how Madison
County folks have been doing in meeting their needs. Your downtown
mall is most impressive, with its new ll-story office and bank
building and the new court house as the center. Yours is a
community which has clearly been upgrading and modernizing itself.
As I said earlier, you have come a long way since those
days in 1823 when the first sessions of court were held at William
McCartney's house in Pendleton. As you all know, the Federal
Government built a court house and jail at Pendleton in 1824 for
the conduct of Indian trials. Then that building collapsed and
the court met in 1825 and '26 at the home of Moses Pearson in
Pendleton.
And there's a most interesting story about how the county
seat was relocated from Pendleton to Anderson. John Berry offered
to donate 32 acres for the purpose but it turned out the property
was in Hamilton County instead of Madison. The property had to be
annexed to Madison so the donation could be accepted by the
commissioners.
To make a long story short, the new court house we are
dedicating here today is the third court house to be built on this
site. The first court house built on this spot was constructed in
1837, and the second in 1885.
Today we dedicate this fine new building to its first use.
We dedicate it in the name of the people of Madison County, and we
state, most emphatically, that it belongs to them. We dedicate it
in the spirit of "doing for ourselves," the spirit of the New
Federalism, and -- I hope -- a new spirit of social progress in
America.
###