New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-01-25
CONNECTICU1vS CAPITOL.


building Albany. the Legislature of the state Of Con-
Dsciicut sits for the first time the new building
erected for 1t IN the city Of Hartford The histories OF
the two structures are very different one from
the other. The cornerstone Of the Capitol
at Albany laid eight years ago. and the
edihce is sill far from completion, either within or with
out. 1t begun by one architect and IL being nm
ished by two Others grating their his old
Each OF these architects is able man, 1T to
design and out such building without aid from
the other each welded different system and
to ideas widely differing; IN taste too. they nave
scarcely point IN common; that the building. how
II may to be praised for its iuterestngness'
its Individuality the beauty or the grandeur Of
this the other portion must always lack
unity, a defect which, however, IL will share with
many "a famous building OF modern times and one
perhaps TO seriously amented. In ts planning
too the Capitol Albany wanting good and
convenience; all the intelligence and ingenuity OF the
present architects not having enough eavcn the
brute mass plumbers with which were hardened by
the original design. Lastly the building has been de-
OF money. hOrseleech's daughter crying
always for more; aud when all is spent must eonten
ourselves with considering each part OF the siruc
ture by itself, grateful for much excellence
there Is, and not vexing ourselves Tor
the mistakes we could not redeem. The counter
balance all this defect is found the fact that what
successful In the Capitol at Albany Is very Sue
cessful the who now in charge OF II have put
their science their practical skill service Vi
art, and the building is already school such as we
have long wanted IN this coJntry where the art OF
architecture and depend nPon and do their
happest her service being securely taught
in the prosecution of enterprise of great pth and
moment.
The new Capitol at Hartford begun in 1873,
and IL now, mt the opening OF the year
1879. almost entirely completed in all III es-
senual parts. Both Legislative Halls, the
rooms for the State officers ald for the OF COM
mtees. all the Intended for the convenience OF
the members all the machinery for heating and light
ing everything In short except certain details OF the
ornamentation, aud the great central tower is
finished and III working order No doubt by the end OF
the present year there will he nothing left 10
do. even paw the ills, for among other reasons
thrifty state has for pride In Its Capitol IL this
that everything has been done without calling upon
the Legislature for more money than was at
first appropriated I'VE mean. 1t de-
cided 10 build the structure it stands at
present. and only this, hut the furnishing Of the
Hall OF Representatives and the Senate Chamber
was paid for out OF the set apart
by the Legislature for the building alone. Then.
again. II Is 10 be remembered that there
has been no change Of architect Mr. Il. NJ Upiohn mas
made all the plans elevations audis responsible for
the design every part and the result ia work thar,
whatever be it, merits its dement's is al least
clear design can he traced through 1t from end
To end IL mas been said OF tine Albany Capitol. and
the has been said OF other buldngsof tie Cooper
Institute for one-that it would pay. badly, ire
deemably badly, they planned, to tear them down
and bulid them anew to abandon them TO the owls
aud build agaln some other where But such thing
could SAID Of she Capitol AZ Hartford careful
study OF the plan II stands completed and IN use To-
dav shows that except IN one rather garng instance,
the comfort ana convenience OF everybody who
the building have been cOnsidered nObOdys time ~
wasted in getting to wherever his daily
duties may cali MIN; all the busuess-rOoms
OF the State, the Legislature and the TX
ecutive arc scientifically and economically dis
trbuted over the space at the architects command.
that the public machine viii oiled wheels with
the possible amount OF material friction As for
what we may be permitted 10 call the hOus keeping
rangements the provisions for creature comfort they
are so complete and ample shall he much surprised
IL the arts of domestic life do not take immense
impetus IN Connecticut from the example set IN
her Capitol. CloakrOoms and toiet-rooms. barber
shops elevators. kitchens. restaurants; there could
not DO comfort and convenience II a had
contriyed it all. II makes the humble ayman
who surveys with admrihg eye all these
preparations for sugar-coating the pill Of legis-
latiye life, think OF the story OF the country
who visited his city brother. went with him to his sen
did church. returned with him his fashionable and
luxurious house aud shared his plenteous dinner:
what brothsr" he said. with deprecatory smile.
all this and Heaven tool" In tue midst OF his Dcram
bulatlOns the yIsDr 10 the Hartford Capitol stiies
all this thoughtful lac suddenly remembers Ger
tain dark closet he saw IN Capitol Abauy ranged
round with wardObes Hired To the walls, and in the
middle Of the floor diaeonaly askew, wardrobe
that looks "a If it had way and waiting be
found On inquiry, il seems that this Is the only room
avail able IN the original plan as IA clOakroOm for
the members OF Of the departments. and
taere being only wal-TOOm for Just many wardrObes
and one more member than there ward
robes his wants be by placing his wardrobe
in NH az
No other way than that III building that has cost-how
many milliUnsl
The core OF the Hartford Capitol IS square tower
rising above the yOf into tweyesided structure
cred with a dome. ABOUT ibis tower grouped. on
rll.orm plan a8d three floors, the various
and halls The OF the that stretch east and
west are longer than two. length of tne
building that way being 296 feet and the middle
OF each Is given up to a hall reaching from
the ground door the top OF the building These halls
are lighted 10y large skyl;ghts and surrounded
on all four sides second, nezzanne, ana third
stories by galleries which To the various
committee rooms. Or the state and Executive
officers and at and western ends the Senate
Chamber and the supreme Court room. Each OF these
lofty hal preceded by vest bule whchthe outer
doors Of the building Open. The yestbue at the east
end only story in height; that at the west end
goes up stories, lighted By large windows and l.
intended be used trophy though 1t Is really
too email for such purpose.
Entrance the building il gained by ample doOrways
on all sides and these OF nearly equal import
ance though from the fact that the northern and
southern doors give directly upon spacious and hand
some halls supported by columns with carved
and bases either of may have claim to be
.dered tue principal entrance On the south side there
Is spacious covered carraEepOrch supported by stone
columns the north hail looks upon the slope of the
pretty PARK the gift OF the DR.. Horace Bushnell Ia
the city aud bearing his hOnored name. Above these
entrance halls the north and south the Library
ana the Hall Of Representatives. The Library the
north side is a noble amply lighted by large
windows, and il 50 feet long by 50 feet
wide and 80 feet in height On the south side Is