Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1872-01-19

less prove of great practical advantage
in the choice of material for the future
prosecution of the work.
During the latter part of the year 1870,
contracts for excavating the foundation,
and for the delivery Of sand, were made.
The excavation was mostly done during
the fall and winter A supply Of sand
was delivered sufficient for the greater
portion Of the entire work. The early
months of the past season were spent in
the details of preparation for the stone
work, and in putting in the concrete
foundation. In order to provide for the
convenient and economical delivery Of
material, q branch railway Of nearly
mile in length was constructed, connect
ing the capital grounds with the railroads
running into the city.
On the 18th day of May, 1871, con-
tract was entered into with Messrs. futile
& Robertson of Des Moines, for furnishing
the stone for the foundation, at the price
of $10.25 per cubic yard for dimension
stone, and 1915 per cubic yard for block
rubble. Under this contract the first car
load OF stone was delivered on the ground,
June Is, 1871, but owing to the delay in
cident to the opening Of new quarry and
its subsequent failure to yield stone of size
and quality as required, the contractors
were prevented from delivering stone as
fast as needed. The first stone was not
laid in the foundation until the 18th of
August. On the 23d of November, the
formal proceedings of the laying Of the
cornerstone took place, at which time, in
consequence of the severity of the wealth
er, the work was suspended for the season.
At this time the contractors were furnish
ing stone from new quarry as fast as
needed, and the work was being prose-
cuted vigorously. Had the season for
laying stone been protracted, as we
usually have reason to expect, nearly the
entire foundation walls would doubtless
have been laid. AS it is, about three
fourths Of the outside foundation walls
are laid on solid concrete masonry, two
feet in thickness.
For full details Of the work already
done, reference may be had to the report
of the Commissioners soon to be submit
ted. The report will show that ut the
date of January /, 1872, there had been
expended Of the appropriation, the sum Of
$119,99762, leaving balance on hand of
$30,002.38. With the necessary build
ings, machinery, and railway to the
capitol grounds, already provided, future
operations on the building may DO re-
sumed without the delay attending the
work heretofore.
In view of the Importance of the work,
and the absolute necessity that the build
ing be pressed steadily forward to com.
pletiOn, or at least to condition suitable
for occupancy, l would earnestly recon-
mend that the present General Assembly
make certain fixed annual appropria-
tion, say of not less than $3.50, O00-the
amount to be increased as the resources
of the State may admit, and as the stage
of the work may require, and not to ex-
coed in the aggregate the estimated cost
Of the building. This would save the
Commissioners much embarrassment in
making their arrangements and contracts.
would suggest that the law creating
this Board be so modified as to reduce the
number of its members to three or not to
CASCCVAVC thHt tHCy OC SClCCtCu lOI CHCiI
peculiar fitness for the work without re.
gard to locality; and that their salary be
sufficiently liberal to enable them to de-
vote all their time to the duties Of their
Office. Iwsuld also recommend that both
political parties be represented upon the
Board.
Below 1 present a summary of the
amounts deemed necessary by the Boards
and officers having charge of State insti
buttons and public works, for new build
ings, for repairs, and for improvements
requiring special appropriations. Some
of the objects for which the several
amounts are asked, however desirable
may be delayed until the next General As
sembly shall meet; but most of them,
think, should receive immediate attention
1t is for the General Assembly, whose
members are just from the people, and
familiar with their views and feelings, to
say how much shall be expended for
these various objects.