The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1873-05-22

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The present State House was built when the
State was young and poor, and is plain, un-
pretending though substantial affair; the new
one is the result of our increase in wealth and
prosperity, and is type Of the Great West.
In March, 1867, advertisements were inserted
in the leading papers of the country, offering
S., 900 to the architect whose plans should be
selected for the new building. Of course, this
brought host of plans, and from them the
present design was selected with great care.
Work was commenced in January, 1863, and
some idea of the magnitude of the enterprise
may be inferred from the fact that security was
given by the parties who furnished the founda-
tion stone in the sum of $55O,OO0. The corner
stone was laid October 9th, 1868, by the Ma
sonic Order. The corner stone was s feet long,
feet wide and feet deep, and was filled with
such articles as are usually deposited in such
places, catalogue of which would nearly fill
one of your columns.
cannot describe the building in the techni-
cal language of an architect, but [ will en-
deayor to do so in such terms as common people
like myself will understand The outside
length is 359 feet exclusive of the porticoes,
which add 20 feet to each end the width is
226 feet, with 20 feet additional in the grand
portico at the east end, which is the principal
front. There is cellar of 10 feet under the
whole building, which is designed for the heat
ing apparatus and the storage of coal and other
heavy articles, and possibly for the cooling
down of such Legislators as become demoralized
from initiating Grant.
The first story is 10 feet high, and is sup
ported by brick arches, which in the halls are
double, one being 2 feet above the other, so as
to form viaduct for the passage of fresh air
to the different apartments. On these arches
are laid in cement the marble floors used
throughout the entire building. On this floor
are the private rooms of the Supreme Court,
the Geological Museum, and Adjutant Gener-
al's Office and museum. This story, in addition
to enormous windows on all sides, is lighted by
glass ceiling in the centre, which is the floor
of the rotunda above.
The second is the principal story, and is 221
feet high. On this floor is the main corridor,
4 running the entire length of the building from
north to south, and the grand corridor crossing
in the centre under the dome. The main cor
ridor is 359 feet long, "a feet wide and 223 feet
high; it will be paneled with projecting marble
pilasters, the walls finished with variegated
marbles, and the ceiling handsomely frescoed.
The grand corridor is so called from its great
width-32 feet-and because the pilasters are
more massive and the finish more elaborate
than the main corridor. The grand stairway
is of Tennessee marble, and self-supporting;
the steps 16 feet wide. The principal entrance
is at the east side, by an immense flight of
stone steps, IS feet wide, landing in grand
portico.
The Senate Chamber is 81 by rs feet, and the
Hall of the House &C by 100 feet, each with its
proper rooms for speakers, chief clerks, enroll
ing clerks, postofice, folding rooms, retiring
rooms, &c.
The roof on all the wings is of the Mausard
style, covered with slate on the sides and cop
per on the top. Above all this rises the stately
dome, surmounted by lantern, with ball on
the pinnacle, 32O feet from the surface of
mother earth, being 43 feet higher than the
| Capitol at Washington. The lantern is 16 feet
wide and "a feet high, the frame work of iron
and the sides of glass. From the glass floor OF
the second story to the fresco just beneath the
top of the dome it will be 217 feet, without any
obstruction to the view whatever. The build
ing will be heated by steam, to generate which
there will be sixteen boilers, IL feet long and
4S inches in diameter, and to force air through
the different rooms 40-horse engine will be
used.
have given a mere outline of this grand
affair." now speedily approaching complexion
Three millions were ordered as the utmost cost
of the whole, but if the State gets off with five
millions it will be cheap, and we have no South
Carolina Legislature to steal half or more Of the
money. 1t is managed by commission of
men in high standing and every dollar paid
out has brought the State dollars worth OF
something. The present Legislature has ap-
propriated one million dollars for Immediate
relief" and ordered the contractors to "have
the building ready for the next session Of the
Legislature" which, as we have biennial ses-
sessions in this State, is in 1874. 1t will be
done, as when you wake up the Hoosiers and
they want something done, it is generally ac-
complished.
1t is built of the Joliet stone, which is nearly
white, and ornamented with Gratz Browns
Missouri granite, stone closely resembling in
color and finish the Aberdeen granite, and in
side with Tennessee, Italian, Serpentine and
other variegated marbles. When it is done,
the city of Springfield, which is small place
30 ooo -..an1a ,r;lI boyo tho 0hiooest thino,,