Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1879-07-10
IcoNMusrcAIED.l
ABOUT PUBLIC WORKS.


Notable Instances where sExtras'
Have Been Allowed.
The contest going on now between the
disappointed contractors and the success
full ones, for the construction Of a Court
house for Eureka county, promises to be a
pretty lively one.
Referring to a leading editorial in q re-
cent issue of your contemporary, l confess
l was mortified at its reflections upon our
County Commissioners. Its reflections
upon the action Of Messrs. Turner and
Campbell, are unwarrented by the facts in
the case, as / understand them, and will
show to the taxpayers of this county by
reference to two instances which have oc-
Cured to your correspondents knowledge,
and the buildings constructed under the
very. same circumstances as our new Court
house is being constructed, fully j~us.ifies
the Commissioners. Messrs. Turner and
Campbell, in making the changes in the
construction of the building that have
been made.
Any one who has visited Washington
City, since the completion Of the Capitol OF
the Nation, has been struck with the
magnifcence OF that structure. In the
wings to that ediice in 1851. Thomas U.
Walters, then United States Architect, was
authorized to draw the plans and specifica-
tons. Mr.. Walters then stood at the head
Of his profession in the United States. He
wa. a aip.p M. -, arolifaaf and waa ga
lected by a Board appointed by Congress.
Mr.. Walters commenced work, n two
years had been consumed in work on its
foundation and basement, which had near
ly reached the first story. The magnitude
Of the work engaged the attention OF
United States engineers, who called the at
tention Of the Secretary of War and Presi-
dent Fillmore to the matter, and the
President sent a special message to
Congress ia reference to it, and
that body authorized the Secretary
of War to appoint a Supervising En-
gineer from the Army, to make such
changes in the foundation and walls of the
extension, as in his Judgment was neces-
sary for the better security thereof. The
result was, Captain N. C. Meiggs, subse-
quently Quartermaster- General OF the
United States Army, then Captain in the
1bOiAICi Wi oy wac dpfOtutco ~ AN PtoA
ton in the Spring Of 1858. Captain
Meiggs went to work and increased the
strength Of the main walls double, besides
constructing additional walls, thereby rem
dering the structure more secur and able
to stand the test of time. Captain
Meiggs, now Major General, fortunately,
has survived the completion OF tue build
ing. and it stand to day a monument OF his
genius, and the wonder and admiration Of
the world.
A case more recently has occurred on
this Coast, and that is the new City Hall
in San Francisco. The growth of the
Golden City, and its eramped quarters for
the transaction of its extensive munich
pal affairs demanded more extensive
quarters, and a corresponding increase of
its municipal officers. In 1869 the matter
was agitated, and the Legislature Of 1870
authorized the construction OF a new City
Hall, on the ground then known as Yerba
Buena Cemetery. Commissioners were APP
pointed, plans solicited, and a prize award
ed. as in the case Of the Courthouse for
this county. A gentlemen in New York,
Mr.. La Fevre, distinguished in his profess
sion for the many magnificent edifices
constructed by him in that city, carried of
the prize. Itlooked very pretty on paper,
but when the Commissioners commenced
the construction Of ithe building, it was
found to be weak. and they were compelled
to make alterations in the original plans
and specifications; thereby entailing an ex-
pense not expected by the Commissioners,
but deemed by them absolutely necessary.
The same hue, and cry was raised against
them by disappointed contractors and
their friends, and work was suspended for
a while until the storm subsidized, when
work was resumed, and the building is
nearly completed now and when finished
will stand as a monument to the wisdom OF
those Commissioners, and the pride of all
Pacific Coasters.
The litigation now contemplated by dis
appointed contractors and spectators, will
result in no good to the county; on the
contrary, it will entail an expense on the
tax p never dreamed of, for the differ
enee ensuing from such a course. COM
bined with the rent the county will have to
pay for the several county officers, will
more than amount to all the extras the
County Commissioners will allow in the
premises. OBSERVER.