Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1858-05-19
rHR NEW STATE HOUSE.


cheering from the now State House at Columbia; not
thut the reverse has beon the case hitherto but on
account Of natural wish to know that the magnif-
cont building ia going up With all reasonable rsrdity
That is undoubtedly progressing thua, the public
may rest assured The great basement lie now nearly
completed as to all the heavy work, and 1t may be
qucationed whether superior foundation was ever
thoy have been carried up, appear strong enough to
defy any power short Of South American earthquake
while their external finish nOcd scarcely xhun con-
trast with tho polished marble itself; many indeed
profor the effect of tho beautifully dressed granite in
some points of view. The partition walls Of the
basement are mado chiefly of bricks, but they are
"brick. indeed,"erery one of thom, as far at least
us is visible, exactly shaped and thoroughly
burnt, and the whole SO carefully laid in tho best Of
ce6,snt rs to attain degree Of strength and dura-
billy inferior only to the heavy granite of the massive
outer wsll. With the completion Of the basement,
the moro bulky part of the work will have beon ac
eomplished, and the uppor story may be expected to
rise with more porcoptible eolerity. The plan is to
carry the building to its roof leaving bohind TO
be finished uterwaids all such parts OF tho structure
may be safely postponed until after the covering
in. 1t is hoped that in thlsway the pile will present
its full outward effect to the admiration of the State
in smueh shorter time than some have calculated.
This being achieved, the rest will bo hurried on it
may ba expected, 1th all tho speed which an ap,
ing public can de-
spleasant even ut this stage Of the work. to have
pointed out to ones observation tie various arrange
msnts and convcniences Of the basement Com
mittee Rooms, the Public Offices, tn. Governor,
Room, the Appeal Court Rooms, tc., all soon to as
sumo their proper Dimensions The great entry below
too with its noble granite columns, many Of which
have passed from under the chise, may already be
pictured US to its unwontsd strength and beauty in
short anticipation Of its approaching existence. In
little time, the mechanics will be engaged in full
force upon the future halls Of South Carolina Legs
lation And judging by the present management aud
direction Of their operations, it may be confidently
predicted that no skill, no economy, no invention,
will be left uutcslcd to ensure the hnal accomplish
mont Of work, so spirtedly instituted by the Rep
reacntitives Of the people Of South Carolina, and
now 50 generously susaiued by that people. 1t will
certainly be, ps a experienced visitors admit ono Of
the proudest monuments Of American skill and lib
erality And its rising grandeur would assm to say
that, wha.ever othSrs may think Of the dangers Of
coming disunion Of the shocks OF fanatgis, Of the
crushing tyranny of reckless maorftiet, South Caro-
lima at least is "ssting her house in ordor to live,
not to die" So may it be! So will it be, if We but
build up our future with half tho and vigilance
and cireulnspection and energy that ara now being
bestowed upon this magnificent depository Of the
coming fortunes of our commonwealth.
While upon this subject, We throw out Tho Sugges-
ton for what lis WORTH that the salary of the present
Superintendent should bs raised to $4,000 per a"nun
s hns doubtless saved to the State four times that
amount already, by his iadefagable attsutiOn to s
m;nutiG Of the immense work in his charge, by his
mechanical sagscty in discovering and his judgment
in using ull the bo.t modern appliances Of skill and
machinery, and his energy i'll advancing the whole
building on to ss speedy completion as possible. In
doing this, he forsakes other employment that could
be made, with the same lubor he is now exerting to
yield him far greater income than he now recOivoa.
It doeS to therefore that an increase Of his
salary suggested would be but bis rightful due,
whe it would be nothing more than prudent ibc-
rslity on the part of tho Legislature.