The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-06-23
REPORT OF COMMITTEES ON
PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND
PUBLIC GROUNDS.
Repairing the Capitol Building.

Repairing the Capitol Building.
Mr.. SPEAKER The Committee on Pub
lie Buildings and Public Grounds, having
had under advisement the proposition to
repair the Capitol, and having devoted con-
siderable time 10 this matter, are fully per-
suaded in their minds that the building can
be secured, in its present position, so
permanently that a thorough renovation OF
every department may be made, and at the
same time improve its architectural appear
anee- and make 1T a more fitting temple in
which to legislate for a great State.
The work to be of such character that
the house will answer its present purpose,
and be an evidence of true economy and
prudence for at least twenty years.
The cost OF a new building would, la all
probability, approximate two million dol
lars; besides, it would take four or five years
to complete it for use. To make this addi-
uonal draft on the country at this time
would impose burden too heavy to be
| borne and would bring down upon our
heads the just Indignation of an overtaxed
| people.
We, therefore, have no hesitancy in re-
commencing thorough renovation and
| improvement OF the building, tO be made on
the following plan-and the one, from the
! best information we can procure, is the only
| one that will secure what is content plated
| in making the repairs-namely Permanent
security OF the building, for at least twenty
| five years. In presenting our plan. we will
have to go into detail in order to make in
| telligible the whole operation. aud to furn
| ish data for contractors, as this may also
be specification of work proposed.
| We take, as a starting point the east side
of the building. Here we find the wall has
| settled, more or less, from end to end, being
| built upon strata of mari, which makes an
| insecure foundation to build on, unless great
| care is taken to put down footing of ample
base. a defect is here, we think. in not
| having the outer fOOtingS of the foundation
| broad enough, the evidence being that the
wall having settled in places from the cross,
or partition walls, as much at the bottom as
the tops showing, cOnclusivelY, that the
outer edge of the foundation has settled the
most, and allowed a short slide at a time.
perhaps, when an unusual amount of water
was in the ground, or it may have been from
sudden shock, but now il is altogether
probable that the walls of the entire build
ing are at rest.
The irregularity to be seen, is evidently
traeeable to the fact, that the greater weight
OF the walls Is upon the corners, and on the
pillows between the Openings-hence we
find, at all the doors and windows, the caps
and sills are broken, and the walls under
and above the windows. To remedy this
defect, it is proposed to take out the broken
walls and rebuild with new work and mate
rial.
To put in new sills of iron. of the usual
thickness and style, new lintels of iron, goth
&c arch in style, with an ornamental GGcure.
This plan of new sill and Iintels in all the
broken walls, and rebuilding with new ma
terlal OF tile same kind, whether it he stone
or brick, will be carried out at all the OPEN
ing in the outer walls, and lntels to be goth
ic arch with an ornamental Jdcare.
The circular part of this wall will require
much larger proportion of work than any
other portion of the building. After remov-
ing the broken parts, as heretofore stated,
it Will have to be belted with at least two
iron bands, inches wide, by "a of an inch
thick, to be neatly fitted to the walls, running
through the walls of the main building, and
securely anchored. The top bands to be on
a level with the Courtroom floor, and to
have six inch rods of iron running through
and fastening on to the jOIst between the
hoCr and the ceiling, and two, each four feet
fIOm the centre, running the entire width
of the house, and through front walIA in
manner hereafter described.
Here it is due to say, that it is not con-
templated to draw the walls together at the
corners, or at any other point, as such an
effort would be abortiVe; but only to secure
them in their present position-an object
easily attained by the plan herein proposed.
Two rods or hog-chains of inch iron
in the north end of the walls, one of which
to be put under the floor of this hall, and
above the ceiling of the first stOry-to have
iron washers or plates 10 inches in dame
ter; the secO:d to run above the first win
dow, let into the wall so as to be covered by
the plasterIng, with washers rs before mem
toned; other rods varying in length from
to the wall at regularintervals, five running
into the end wall, and the remaining three
to cross them ut right angles, and run into
the side-all TO be let into the wall as before
mentioned. For inside washers, east plates,
each feet long and 4 inches wide, and
where the bolt enters, to be IL inch thick,
and on thr outside, washers 10 inches in di-
ameter. All bolts to have nuts of the usual
size and thickness rs used in bridge and
other heavy work. where such iron is used,
II ha NJ itI1y CT raj M
ner, and with Il like number of bolts and
washers, all the corners to be bound toSeth-
eF.
Where an anchor goes into the front
walls, one or more blocks of stone will be
taken out, or in the brick part, a sufficient
number of bricks will be taken out, and the
washers let into the wall, and when all are
securely anchored, the stone or brick TO be
replaced Six anchors, in addition TO the
two ut each end, and two under the Court
room, to hold in place the side walls at the
top of first story, and to pass under the
floor, from side to side of the building, and
to be placed in at regular intervals along
the walls. To secure the end walls ut the
first story, two rods of IA inch iron will be
placed in, extending from end To end, and
through the walls, with ample washers on
the outside of the walls; between them two
others, at each end, to extend as far as the
dome, and there well secured; a like number
inthe attic, extending from end to end, to be
used and put in the same way as those on the
second moor. 10 SeClITe the Top WAL. All tue
main beams of the ceiling will be to anchor,
with inch round iron, through the walls,
with good heavy waShers-there subject TO
a strain sufficient TO prevent vibration,
The plan upon which the principles of the
roof was framed, being defective, the cell
ings of the Senate Chamber has sagged, and
also. that of the House, about twelve inches
and TO put it to its original place, would be
equivalent to building "A new roof which is,
in our opinion, unnecessary, since the COW
ering can be made tight; and, in order to
accomplish this end, section of truss work,
after the style OF the How Truss Bridge, |
about six feet high, firmly held together by
Ia inch truss bolts, to be supported on end
walls of house, at one end, and spanning the |
halls to rest on the partition walls at the |
other end. To this work, the main beams |
of the ceiling will be attached by means of
IL inch bolts, thus relieving the roof of the |
present strain, and prevent further sagging. |
It will be necessary to overhaul the cover |
inc of the roof; the battons viii have to be |
readjusted and covered with iron, fastened !
to the sheeting, and all nail heads soft sold !
cred The valleys, where leaky, to be soft |
soldered. The covering of the dome being |
copper, can be well secured in this place, |
bv the same means. New conductors will !
have to be provided, and the whole roof |
painted with two coats of asphaltHm paint. |
we find the arches between the pillars of the !
portico are broken, and that some of the |
work is held in place by means oflron. tenn
1n - So n. eN.r.k 4