The old capitol building was in poor condition and too small for
the growing state government. Even before the fire, Governor
Shafer had planned to ask the legislature for an appropriation
for a new building. Around the state, newspaper editors tended
to think of the fire as an easy way to push forward the building
of a new capitol. They also noted for local authorities the
necessity of safeguarding important city and county documents
from fire. Few people seemed upset about the loss of the
original capitol; nevertheless, it was important to try to
determine the cause of the fire. There were many possibilities,
including arson which was the least credible theory, but the
discussion tended to boil down to two probable sources: electric
wiring or spontaneous combustion. On Monday, December 29, the
Bismarck Tribune reported on the statements of the State
Engineer, R. E. Kennedy, whose office was on the top floor.
Kennedy discounted an electrical cause and argued that the fire
was caused by spontaneous combustion