Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1877-11-30
The State Capitol.

and instructive article Oh the imbfoye.
ments this old structure 10 undergoing,
together with certain hisfoficsl data re-
lating to is original construction.
The last Legislature appropriated
S32, 900 for the purpose ofrepairing the
State House building. but that sum will
be insufficient for all the necessary i'm.
provements. For several months work
men have been busily engaged renova-
ting and remodeling. Many judicious
alterations haze been made, which will
add greatly to the appearance and COM
tort OF the several rooms. The ventila-
ton and heating, which have been for
years source Of great annoyance to
members, causing sickness and even
death, have been much improved
Large stacks, 81 feet square, run up
IRON the cellar 10 II feet above the roof
for ventilation, with sufficient ape ertures
m the various apartments. Two large
boilers in the cellar, with registers in
the Senate and House OF Delegates halls
on the first floor, and coils, covered
from sight by bronzed cast-iron on the
side and marble slabs at the top in the
window recesses on the second floor,
heat the building. The cellars have
been enlarged and the building under
pinned. New flooring on both stories
new doors and newly plastered and
frescoed walls and ceilings are among
the more prominent Improvements, and
they add much to the appearance. New
cornices IN heavy walnut have been
put in, the old style in the cornices in
the senate Chamber being preserved
The old paintings Of Washington re-
signing his commission, of Charles Car
roll OF Carrollton, Samuel Chase, Will
liam Paca and Thomas Stone; also, a
portrait Of the "hero of the Cowpens,
John Eager Howard, will be replaced
in the Senate Chamber.
Among the Improvements in the Sen.
ate Chamber the ceiling will be higher:
the old broad fireplace closed up, and
two blind windows on the north side
opened. The old gallery at the south
end has been removed, and tins entire
ly changes the appearance of the cham
ber. OF late years this gallery was sell:
dom occupied.
The Executive Chamber. the Court
OF Appeals room and committee rooms
have all been remodelled and will be
rciurn,>hed. The Court OF Appeals
room Is very handsome aud pleasing TO
the eye. The armory room is to be
coverted into a committee room. The
Judges bench in the court room and
the furniture generally will be in hea-
w black walnut highly ornamented.
The roof OF the building has been GOV.
cred with slate.
The carpenters expect TO finish work
IN the Senate Chamber and the House
OF Delegates in about fifteen days. The
irescoing will be finished the present
week. The masters OF the brush will
then commence To show their skill.
MIR. Frederick OF Baltimore, is the
architect, and Mr.. Joseph NJ. Marshall,
superintendent. They, as we'll as all
the mechanics employed. deserve great
credit tor their work and the skill dis
played. The work has been done on
the most economical plan for the best
interests of the State.
The rooms for the assembling OF the
Legislature in January next, will be
ready IN time tor occupancy.
After the adoption olthe Constitution
IN 1864. which gave Baltimore city
eighteen members, the Hall OF the
House otDelegates was enlarged, and
the gallery was removed.
The exterior Of the building needs
painting. and money might be judicious-
ly expended for that purpose, and, we
doubt not, that the Legislature will
cheeriully make suitable appropriation
TO tit 1t up in style credi,able to the
Statr.
The following facts in connection with
this building, will doubtless be inter-
e>ting To most OF our readers:
In the year 1893, the sea. Of govern
ment. which had been at the city of
81. Mary from the earliest formation
OF the province, was by an act of as
scmblv removed TO Annapolis, then
called the Town Land at Proctors.'-
In 1865 it was known and distinguished
by the name OF Annapolis.
In the year 1893, the general assem-
bly appropriated the sum Of 81, 500
sterling, to be applied to the building OF
the present State House, the building
Of which was superintendent by such
men a Daniel Dulsnv, Thomas John
son, John Hall. Vim. Paca, Charles
Carroll, Barrister. Lancelot Jacques
and Charles Wallace, the majority of
whom We're empowered to contract
with workmen, aud to purchase mate
rial>; and were also authorized to draw
on the treasurer of the western and
eastern shores, for whatever further
sums nigh, be required to complete The
building. Such an unlImited power
would be dangerous 10 he placed in the
hands OF men at the present day Of cor
ruption. The total cost OF the building
We are unable To state. The old State
House was accordingly demolished,
and the present beautiful structure erec-
ted on its site.
The foundation stone OF this edi6ce
was laid on the 18th OF March, l772,
by Governor Eden. On his striking the
stone with q mallet, which was, at tha,
time. customary on such OCCASIONS, ac-
cording 10 tradition, there was a severe
clap Of thunder, although cloud was
not TO be seen, the day being clear and
beautifully serene. In l773 this build.
ing was covered with copper roof,
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