The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1853-12-20
0fnfral news.
From the Charleston Courier.
The New State House.


We learn that the portion Of the Northern
wing of the new Capitol, which has been com
pleted, gives much satisfaction to all who have
examined it, and augnrs well for the effect of
the plans when completed, as well as the Faith
full execution by the several contractors of the
respective departments. The iron work, from
the establishment of c. Werner, Of this city,
has been universally admired, and exhibits the
taste and variety OF design which have marked
the products of his fnundry and shops. The
building, when completed, will be not only a
noble pile fit for the legislative uses of State,
but monument Of the resources or the State.
The execution of such an extensive work we
trust will open permanently and advantageous
ly the granite quarrics and give all impetus
generally to all the industrial branches called
into requisiIion.
We give the following official reports of The
state and prospects Of this building:
The Commissioners. to whom the LeSlsla.
ture has committed the erection OF the New
State Capitol, deem it proper to render to the
State an account of the details of the manner
in which they have so far discharged the duty
assigned to them, to point out the steps it now
becomes necessary to take for further progress,
and to suggest the necessary appropriations to
enable them to go on, in completing the build
ing. The moving and most pressing object
was, to secure the records of the upper dis
tricts, and also the archives of the State, in
safe and fre.proof offices. The Commission
ers, in view of the apparent fact, that the pres
ent State house has become quite unsuIted to
the present or prospective wants of the State,
and especially as its material is not sufficiently
safe or durable for State building, intimated,
that the object of Fire Proof Offices might be
combined with the more enlarged improve.
ment a new State Capitol, thus saving the
double expense; and as the basement story OF
the new Capitol was the appropriate place of
deposit of the public grants, plats, and archives,
they caused plan to be drawn, which would
include in one wing Of the basement, Fire
Proof Offices for the principal class of paper.
This has been done, and the Legislature will
now perceive that this wing is already erected,
and in short time the public records will be
removed to a perfectly secure deposit. Part
of new Capitol is also erected-the founda-
ton in part laid. The material is drawn from
the bed of the river that runs at the base of
the Capitol Hill. Its quality can be seen and
compared with any building material in the
world, and its iGexhaustible material thus devel.
cpes to the State its resources in building ma
terial. The whole plan of the elevation is care.
fully drawn The Capitol will contain every
convenience of State House. The entire
easements afford ample room for all public Of
fees. The second story will afford a magni-
fcent Hall for the House of Representatives,
over the basement story Of the north wing;
a Senate Chamber on the south (; and on the
western portico an ample and commodious Ii
brary; rooms for the Court of Appeals, and
numerous committee rooms; Governors room;
and every ample accommodation for all public
use required of a State Capitol. The whole
to be warmed and ventilated according to the
most approved principles Of modern SCIENCE
Such is the general plan. The whole to be Ell.
fectually fire. proof, so that nothing but the
waste of ages can destroy it. The building
will lie costly, but your Commissioners have
taken care that the State shall not pay for any
thing it does not get. We have left nothing
for specializing contractor to pocket. The
building will be of granite and iron. The gran.
ite is taken from its native quarry, transported
to the spot, hewed, and laid in its place in the
building being regularly measured, every
block, and paid for by the percll-so all iron
work is paid for by the pound. No money IS
paid to the contractors unless duly measured
or weighed and the books Of the Treasury will
show every dollar the State pays, and what
for The building, when completed according
to the plans, will be within very reasonable
cost, when South Carolina will be able to boast
of a State Capitol, built of native materials,
and comparing in convenience and maSnll.
cence with any in the Union. True economy
demands that the means should be placed at
the disposal of the Commissioners, to enable
them to make their contracts in large parcels,
50 that so extensive building may progress.
in some respects, simultaneously. The entire
basement must he united together to effect
this the old building must be moved off the
site; the foundation of the centre and wings
laid together.
The Commissioners propose, during the
next year, to go on with the entire first base
ment story. This will be the bulk of the cost,
as the foundations, to be enduring, must be
strong and massive. The upper stories will be
lISnteT. lhe lanu Hece>sa'J I" e'''"'Se VIC
area of the Capitol grounds, can be procured
now, and forming material part of the plan.
the Commissioners propose an appropriation
not exceeding s25O,OOO, TO enable them to
complete their grounds, remove the present
State House, where it can be used until the
Capitol IS ready, lay the entire foundation, and
erect the first story ready for occupation.-
This estimate is founded upon minute calcua.
tions, and We believe it will enable the Com
missioners to make the proposed progress.
Every day the workmen become more adroit
in quarrying, erecting, and pcrfecting their
work. They have good deal OF material on
hand.
M r.: ~ ,o,.oJ ,r;lI ooct