The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-09-24

ALBANY, Sept 4, 1854.
Enlargement of the .assens6ly Chamber
Committee Rooms State Library building
Idiot .dsylum.
The Last Legislature appropriated SUM-
cient amount Of money to enlarge the Assem-
bly, Chamber in the Capitol. The contractors
for the work have progressed with commenda-
BILE energy. The rear walls have been rebuilt,
the roofing completed, and the cornices con-
structed so ~ to conform with the old portion
surrounding the front and sides of the building.
The Speakers chair and Clerks desk, will be
thrown back some fifteen feet, being the depth
attained by the new additions The workmen
are now plastering and stuccoing the in
terror, and in the course of two months the
material portions Of the alterations will be per-
fected. The painting, upholstering carpeting,
and reftting the furniture, will occupy nearly
all the time left before the meeting of the
next legislature. The chamber is to be sup
piled with new desks and chairs, the latter
somewhat similar to those in the Senate cham
Der. This furniture is in process of manufac.
ture, by Messrs. Merrifeld Il Wooster, an Alba
ny firm Of cabinetmakers. From samples Of
the work which have been exhibited.to US, we
have no hesitation in pronouncing it such as
will give perfect satisfaction to the State officers
and members Of the Legislature. 1t will be
highly creditable to those young mechanics
The whole will be ready as soon as the cham
Der is prepared to receive it. The architect
has also provided for full and free ventila-
ton, which the room never before possessed.
1t has also been wisely determined to dispense
with the hot air steam furnaces, and to heat the
chamber with wood in open fireplaces as far as
practicable. This will be great relief to
members from the country, as this class have
heretofore suffered most intolerably from the
unhealthy atmosphere of the room.
The rooms above now occupied by the mis-
cellaneous library, are to be altered and conve-
Diently arranged for committee rooms, an OBJ
iect very much desired. The State of New
York, with all its profuse liberality in other re-
spects. has never before provided any suitable
place for the meeting of any of the committees
Of it's legislature. Now, it is likely the claims,
the finance, the canal, railroad, bank judiciary,
roads and bridges, ways and means, commerce
and navigation, insurance, and all other promi-
nent committees will have rooms prepared
where their consultations may be held without
interruption, and be provided with all necessary
conveniences, and ample accommodations for
the preliminary transaction of the public bust
ness. The law library room, on the floor with
the Senate chamber, are to be accommodated
to the wants Of Senators and legislative visit
ers, viz:-the lobby.
In the rear Of the Capitol stands the new IL
brary building, now within two months of
being completed. It's cost has been very ex-
travagant in comparison with the amount
which the trustees said was sufficient, when the
Legislature made the first appropriation, some
four or five years since. It is supposed to be
entirely fire proof as there Is no wood work
about it except the doors, (and they are to be
frames which support the shelving. The upper
story is about completed. and the sheet iron
shelving in the main entrance will only require
some Elk weeks time, when that will also be
done. Mr.. Peter Smith having this contract,
is pushing it ahead with all the force he can
place upon it. The workmanship of the entire
interior has been planned and executed in the
most admirable manner-the decorations and
finish will compare with any room for
beauty and effect. in the country. The
whole State library will be removed, and all
the books and miscellaneous matter completely
arranged, ready for the inspection of the new
Legislature in January next The lower por-
tion will be greatly deficient in light, which, in
the least kind Of cloudy or lowering weather,
Aubt NC suppueO ny R6S-uOt very pleasant
when daylight should subeerve.
The idiot Asylum, which has been in opera
ton for three years in this vicinity, is to be re-
moved near Syracuse, as soon as public accom-
modations are provided. The establishment
would have remained in this neighborhood but
for the conduct Of q person representing this
city and county in the Senate. Ever since the
asylum has been instituted hired premises have
beenused. The Legislature Of 1853 being satisfied
hot %oI 81 l.
nent institution" granted the sum of twenty
thousand dollars for site and towards the
erection Of building. The trustees visited
several locations which were offered, and finally
purchased few acres some four or FIVE, of MS-
Stephen Clark, on the Troy road, near this
city, for which they paid him the sum of one
thousand five hundred a1llars per acre, cash,
out of the fund aapprysted by the Legisla-
ton, being near the city. convenient to mar
kets, easy of transportation by teams, rail-
roads, canals, or the Hudson river. Though
the trustees, (J0hn @. Spencer being chief man.
ager,) paid more than double the actual value
of the soil, they still had the sum Of thirteen
thousand two hundred and fifty dollars remain
ing in the treasury, subject to their order, with
which to commence the erection Of the asylum.
But they moved no further. The Senator above
alluded to owned piece Of property, or was the
agent of it, which he strongly urged upon the
trustees, but they did not think proper to make
the purchase. During the last session he laid the
matter before the Senate, and from the facts
which he presented, together with the eloquence
he display ed, induced the legislature to instruct
the Asylum trustees to make further inquiries,
/, and purchase another site. This opened the
matter, when one of the present State officers
stepped in and sold lot of land, near SYRIA
cuse, to the said trustees, upon which the Asy-
INN is to be erected. The property purchased
on the Troy road is accordingly abandoned, and
the next legislature will authorize its sale at
auction, and pocket loss of about two-thirds
thus financiering for the State, should be held
accountable for the loss. 1t is contended that
Syracuse is entitled to the Asylum, being the
bot-bed of sbolitionism, greatly afflicted with
the rapping mania, and the place where all man