Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-11-12
FROM MONTPELIER.


/
| Messs. Editors;
The matter of most attractive interest in connec
tion with the Legislature just now, is the investi.
CATION before the com. on public buildings. They
hold sessions almost daily and sometimes two or
three in day. The large Grand Jury room in the
courthouse whore they sit, is crowded with specta.
tors At one end of the room is long table, on
one side of which is the committee, the chairman
in the center, and one on each side of him taking
| notes. Directly opposite the chairman is Dr..
Powers, and on his left Hon. T. p. Redfeld, his
counsel; on his right hand are Hon. ]. D. Bradley
and +. F. Merrill, counsel for Mr. silloway, and
Mr. S. himself. From this array of counsel it will
be seen that the parties themselves suppose that
great interests are involved. The real object Of
the com. is to ascertain whether the design and
construction of the State House is in good hands
whether the work already done has been done in
good taste, for convenience thoroughly and econo-
mically-and whether there is sufficient promise
that the House will be finished as it should be.
Any one who looks on at the examination for only
short time, cannot fail to that the interest in
the matter taken by the spectators, arises out of
the personal quarrel between Dr. Powers and Mr..
Silloway. Each has able counsel-each shows that
he has deep personal interest, and on either hand
the purpose seems to be- to show that the other is
incompetent and every way unfit for his place
and if 1 am not mistaken in Judgment of the
testimony, based on that part of it have heard,
both of them may quite conclusively prove what
they are attempting.
One can hardly avoid the feeling that the whole
proceeding before the com. is out of place and I'M
pertinent, especially when the superintendent and
the architect make the investigation so much an
occasion Of showing out their personal chickering's
Hitherto the com. have permitted these two parties.
to manage tho testimony pretty much their own
way, not even imposing all the restraints usual
in our courts,-thinking perhaps that the bitter
feelings Of these parties will best bring out the
faults which the wish to get at, if they exist
What the result will be, can only be conjectured.
That there has been incompetency somewhere, is
evident, and that the New State House and the
State sufferers is equally evident. According
to tho testimony many pieces Of work have been
commenced, found faulty and thrown up-and
some important defects have not been remedied,
and cannot be at this stage of the work without
much difficulty and expense.
1t was great mistake that the bill providing
for the building of the new House, did not pre-
serve the official life ofthe Commissioners till the
work was completed. Then the State would have
had proper guardians ofits interests, and the whole
authority Of its construction would not have been
in the hands of one man. it has been,-for DR..
Powers claims that the whole powerhas been in his
hands since thirty day, after the adjournment of
the extra session-when as he claims. the Office
and authority Of the Commissioners ceased by Ii
imitation of law. This Legislature will not dis
charge its duty if it rises without creating some
proper guardians for their interest, and not leave
it in the hands of one man, whether he be Thomas
Powers, or some other.