The daily gazette., 1879-06-04
Plan. for the County buildings.

BY Il. l.. RICE, JR.
The Building Committee of the Levy
Court will meet at New Castle to-mor-
row, for the purpose of examining the
plans to be submitted for the new county
buildings. Among the plans to be SUBJ
mitted is one by e. l.. Rice, Jr., of this
city, which, it is said, will be the only
Delaware plan submitted, and if the
committee should decide in his favor it
would be quite triumph for Delaware.
Mr.. Rice's plans are set forth in seven
drawings, accompanied by full and
complete description of the several parts
and elevations Of the building.
Drawing No. represents the base
ment plan. This story is proposed to |
have clear height of feet, and is to be |
constructed of stone of large dimensions
and to contain a prison of ten cells, |
boiler room, fuel, and engineers and |
fireman's room, and four cellars for stor-
age or such purposes as may be required. |
The prison cells are arranged on the |
south side of the building, upon large
and full lighted and ventilated corridor,
and backing against the solid base to the |
fire-proOf vault (above). The whole
system of cells to be under the eye Of
single keeper or warden at one and the
same time. They are placed far enough
from the street to allow of air, light and
ventilation, a1d at the same time pre-
vent any outside communication with
the prisoners contained therein.
Each cell is supplied with water and
water closet systems. The stairs lead
l rfI fItr tr. In. -
strictly private, from the prison to the
Court room floor. The doorway for
teams to enter with fuel or other mater
ials is of much Importance, and will re-
suit in a saving of labor and cost to the
county. The boiler room is finely stu
ated for steam heating.
Drawing No. represents the first
floor, which has clear height of 14a or
lb feet, and is 7 feet above the paving
line of the building, the approach being
by broad and easy stone steps into the
respective vestibules, these opening again
into the corridors. The offices are stu
ated at convenient and regular positions,
and are fully lighted and ventilated.
Each office is provided with large fire
proof vault (besides being itself fire
proof, and with wash-stands. The toi-
let rooms are at the respective ends OF
the north and south corridors. From
three of the corridors the main stairs
lead to the Court room floor.
These stairways are to be broken
flights and artistically finished, so much
: so as to make them feature ofthe build
ing. They are of easy and rapid ascent
The ceilings of the corridors and office.
e to be appropriately and handsomely
D panelled, and adorned with cast cOrni
ces. A wainscoat ofhard wood, of hand
Y some design, to band the entire foor
:, which is to be lald in tile, with consis
q tent and handsome border.
Behind the judicial bench is th'
: Judges parlor, fitted up with all th'
:. needed conveniences. To the left /.
S male and female witness rooms, also fit
y ted up with conveniences. To the righ
s is the Attorney Generals room. Thi!
room is direct in its connection with the
Y grand jury, witnesses and grand jur.
|, room. To the right is the entrance tt
y the jury lobby, as also the prison corri
dor and stairway. Upon the jury corri-
dor are placed three fine rooms, for peti
juries. Upon this floor are situated par
G lors for the legal profession and the pub
s. lie, also water closets and urinals.
al Drawing No. represents the cour
h room floor. This story is to be 10 feet il
g, the clear, with court room ~ feet iD clea
l. height, and is approached by the befOr
y mentioned flight of stairs, all meetin
/, upon large and commodious landing
te The court room is situated in the MOTT
le part of the building, with the judicia
" bench in the east end of the room.
Mt has fine and large audience room, wit
pc raised seats capable of seating 49S pei
of sons with comfort, and seven hundre
,g crowded outside OF banister bars. TIL
ne seats are arranged in straight lines. Th
of court room is entered by two large doors
n giving ample facilities for filling an
or emptying the room. There will be ais
seats for witnesses, prisoners, empanelle
and unempanelled jurors, clerks and RI
porters. The bar proper is ample to az
,al commodate all the members of the legs
as profession.
ed The walls and ceilings Of the cou
en- room to be handsomely decorated al
ne finished in cast plaster, cornices, pane
M and enrichments, as also the parlors al
he corridors. Each room and hallway
an have handsome hardwood wainscotiI
ed around it.
nj The floors of the public hall and pa
he lors to be laid Ill tile; the court roo
he and other rooms to be wood, with ca
int pet or mating to prevent sound.
he Drawings Nos. 4 and 6show front al
ho side elevation. The basement is elevate
'"e seven feet above the ground, 80 as
:. give ample light and air to the cellal
IN and Is faced with granite, with "bs
IN ter" face. The superstructure Is brio
BILE stone. trimmed, the pllasters thrown
at intervals break up the dead face.
The roof is maLsard, and the tow
carries up from from front centre, ca
ped with curb dome. The cornic'
10 plinths, capitals, belt courses, sills a
;o., window heads to be wrought stone. Z
Oh cornice of tower is ssurmounted witt
md bronze statute Of Justice, with draw
ay. sword, while the recess of pedime
the contains the open book with the lege
= In "Lex" Qaw,) thrown across it.
"a Drawing No. 6 represents . perspe
'h tive view of the building from Eleven
OF and M Market streets, and gives gene
i'm idea of the form and character OF
ele- building.
veil Drawing No. Z; presents an alterni
on plan in Gothic, suitable to the tic
plans described above.
s The dimensions are: 126 by 78 feet
oou plan, AZ feet to cornice Of main bnildil
10 los feet to base of flag staff on tow
}. The estimated cost Is 900, leaving
balance Of Sc, 900 from the amount apl
priated. for furniture and ineidentals