Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-09-23
American Capitols.


The Capital, . new paper, gives in it's
Arst number particulars Of mauy of these
buildings. Part Of the account will in.
terest our readers;
AT the present time, no less than three
of our States are constructing new capitol
ediAces. New York will attempt to rival
tho national Capitol itself BY construc-
ton At Albany to cost, somnally, Ave mil.
lions but probably b ~ day Of its com.
pletiou IL win have consumed twice rs
much. This capitol is to be Renaissance
edi6ce, with domes, pavilious, aud statuary.
Illinois, ventures, after much debate, to
spend four millions upon classical capitol
at Springfield. aud Iowa is ready to spend
one million and half upon Coripthisn
sturucture at Des Moines. and to ornament
it with = wrought.iron dome, at some
future day. to cost half million more.
"Some States, as West Virginia, have
no capitol.house at all; others, as Connec.
ticut, have two; but the agitation is rife
there for their consolidation at Hartford.
Two of the States only contains state houses
10 present legislative use which date to the
Revolution-Rhode Island and Maryland.
The noblest State capitol now complete is
at Nashville, aud the most expensive is at
Columbus. The following data have been
collected from various sources, chiefly
from members Of Congress, upon the
majority of the remaining State edifces.
"The State capitol Of Maryland, at An
napolis, is a handsome specimen Of the
brick architecture of tho last century, and
it is surmountsd by a dome and spirs Of
staunch timber which attain the height of
200 feet. From this eyrie is afforded the
very best view possible Of the Chesapeake
Bay. The govenrer's room and legislative
chambers at Annapolis are 81 feet By 40
feet each, aud, like all edi6ces, they arc
light, quaint, aud substantially built. An
appropriation Of $1,000 sterling was passed
10 1869 for this edi6ce, aud its foundation.
stone was laid in 1772.
"The State capitol Of Maine, at Augusta,
cost l70, 900 dollars, aud is built of granite,
columns in the centre and plain wings.
II stands upon green elevation, and near
it it the pleasant residence of Speaker
Blaine.
"The Pennsylvania State ca pitol is 1870
feet front by 80 feet deep, built of brick,
with % Ionic porticU sud an ugly dome.
In adjacent separate edi6ces are the govern.
or's aud other State Offices. There is no
room in this ediice capable Of accom- modat-
ing Rothernel's painting Of Gettysburg
battle. The view from this capitol is ex.
quisitely bounded by mountain and river
scenery. Near this point vas the once
mooted place for the national capitol.
"Tke Massachusetts, State. house was
completed in 1898, and it is the most con.
spicuous edi6ce in Boston. Its dome is
l20 feet above the ground, aud 23O feet
above the level Of the neighboring sea.
This building, though old, is entirely
worthy Of our most historical city, aud it is
kept in state Of military order and clean
liness, 40 if it we're really the headquarters
Of the commonwealth. Bronze statuary
stands on the fights ofterraces leading to
It, and in the rotunda are busts of distin-
guished Bostonians. This is the only
State capitol which remains 10 city Of
the 6rst class.
"The State capitol at Albany stands 1870
feet above the Hudson Rivor, and cost
Sl20, 900, the city Of Albany contributing
to build it more than one fourth of that
amount. It is made Of stone, and has an
Ionic portico built against the side Of the
building, surmounted with urns; a balus.
trade runs along the roof, asd an etiigy Of
Justice surmounts the cupola. This small
but pleasing structure is directly beside
the excavation for the new capitol.
"The Vermont State. house at Montpel.
Ter 10 $50 feet by 100 feet, and 100 feet
high, built Of dark Barre granite, with
copper roof, in the Doric style. It cost
$l32, 900. the people of the town contrib.
uting $3.50 A statue Of Etheu Allen,
by Larkin Meade, is one Of its attractions.
The Virgins State capitol, next to
Washington the most suggestive and best
commemoratsd legislative edifice in the
country, 10 40 unsuccessful adaption Of the
Maison Carree st Nismes, France-oue Of
Je6erson's hobbies-beset with Ionic pilas.
ters aud columns, depending upon base
ment. Bsing Of brick rough cast, it does
not affect the eys pleasantly.
The State capitol Of Ohio, st Colum.
bus, is 304 feet long, 1874 feet vide, and to
the summit Of its dome l57 feet high. Il
is built Of hard limestone, resembling a
shade Of white marble. In architecture it
might be called the classical provincial.
A demure false pediment rises 10 the mid
die over the fiat. chimueyed roof Tho
rotunda is depressed, and resembles boys
cap. and the 6ue columns aud pilasters
which surround tho edifice only make
these meannesses conspicuous. It cost
about "a, 100000, and was once likensd BY
tho celebrated William Cory to tea.cup
standing on q brick. A gas park in.
closes the capitol, which is certainly 4
colossal pile. 5t
The Kentueky State capitol is q white
marble building, With gable portioo Of
six Ionic columns, aud cupols in style
resembling the average Virgiaia court.
house. Some moopus1ts are appeudages