The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1879-01-14

awarded for the amount appropriated.
Under act number 81 OF 1877, for
electrician work and other improve
OF which has been expended ss.ssS o.
Leaving balance of.............s 4eS 10
Being 10 per cent. on the contract
for the electric lighting and snnuncia-
tor work, which amount will be due
and paid to the contractors upon the
full completion and acceptance Of their
contract.
Under act No. iS5 OF lsIT. for inn
pIoyement OF grounds and fur
OF which has been expended. so'yss IS
Leaving a balance OF. ........t 25s 81
| The aggregate OF balance 10 this date
| being. ........ ............ .......t A,aOl ~
OF which il is estimated that nearly
81, 900 will remain in the state treasury
after every obligation incurred by this
board shall have been paid.
The commission has aimed TO erect
capitol worthy Of the dignity Of the
state, massive aud elegant-void of all
trivial ornamentations aud pleasing in
appearance, Of enduring material, sub
stantial in construction and perfect in
workmanship. And while earnestly
endeavoring to accomplish this, that
We have not been unmindful of the in
| junction OF the Legislature TO make no
expenditure exceeding the appropria-
tion is attested by the following instru-
ment executed by the contractors on
the day Of completion and acceptance
| OF the building:
Received of the board Of building
commissioners of the state OF Michi-
gan, voucher No. 70, bearing even date
herewith. for the sum of Sl3G, $40. 20
being in full settlement OF all demands
arising in any manner under n contract
made on the 18th day OF July, A. D..
1872, with said board OF state building
commissioners for the erection and
completion OF a capitol for said state.
1t being expressly agreed and under
stood that all demands for extra labor
and materials. as well as for all changes
made in the work for the entire COM
pletion of the contract, are fully ad-
lusted. Signed,
n. OSBORN & Co.
LANSING, Mich, Sep. 26, 1878.
No change has occurred in the COM
position OF the board since its organiz-
alton in 1871, except in its president,
the law providing that the governor
shall be a member OF the board and
er sIfciO its presiding officer. The
work commenced under his Excellency
Gov. Henry +. Baldwin, who, having
devoted much attention to the examin-
alton OF the construction and arrange
ment Of public buildings at home and
abroad, was admirably qualified for
the important position, and greatly
aided the board by his counsel.
He was succeeded in 1873 by Gov.
John J. Bagley, who, for -four years
was president OF the board, his practi-
cal knowledge OF the work then pro-
crossing being of great value.
In January, 1877. he was succeeded
by the present able executive, Coy.
Chss. NJ. Croswell. under whose al.
ministration the work has progressed
TO completion.
The commission has been fortunate
in the selection and employment Of as
sistauts, as well as in awarding con-
tracts. The secretary, Mr.. Allen l..
BouIs, has discharged the duties. from
the organization of the board. with
rare ability and faithfulness. The re-
cords. book and files furnish full and
complete history and showing Of the
transactions and expenditures OF the
board, and are regarded as n model Of
completeness aud accuracy.
Mr.. Oliver Marble was appointed as
sistant superintendent, 10 take effect
February |, 1873. and, in the absence
II Mr.. Myers (architect and superin.
teudent). was in charge Of the work nm
til August 81, 1878, the condition Of
the work at that time no longer requir-
ing his services. His intelligence aud
former experience rendered him capa
bic and efficient for that position
The firm Of n. Osborn X Co, Of
Rochester, n. Y, the contractors for
the erection and completion Of the
bnilding, was we'll constituted TO or
ganize aud carry steadily forward TO
completion a work Of the character and
magnitude Of this building, for in the
| firm was represented mechanical skill
aud intelligence Of high order They
have executed their contract faithfully
and satisfactorily. IN workmanship ard
material
Mr.. Samuel j. Creswell. OF Philadel-
| phla, as sub-contractor, furnished all
X
His work is Of a most superior charac-
ter. and in its production he has zeal
ously carried ont the desire OF the
/ board.
The Walworth manufacturing com
/ pany, Of Boston, was awarded the con-
tract for steam heating and ventilation.
/ The work was properly and intelligent
\ ly performed, and has thus far accom-
! pllshed all that was anticipated.
The electric lighting aud annunciator
work was done by the Western electric
manufacturing company, Of Chicago,
and as far as completed, is quite per.
/ feet and successful in it's operation.
The several contracts for fitting up
the library, Legislative halls, supreme
/ court aud justice rooms. military de-
/ partment, etc, have all been complet-
ed in conformity with drawings and
specifications.
The grading, draining, laying out
and Identifying the grounds have been
done under the supervision Of Mr.
Adam Oliver, a landscape gardner Of
kalanazoo. He has discharged his
duties intelligently and acceptsbly.
The almost entire freedom from acci.
dents resulting in either loss OF life or
property IL q cause Of great thankful
ness. Notwithstanding the building
was IN course Of construction for more
than sir years, and during this period
hundreds Of men employed, no scci-
deut occurred causing loss of life or
limb, nor any resulting in loss or sscri-
fee Of property worthy Of notice.
The beard has, since its organization
held 147 meeting. of which l03 we're
regular, aud "A special. occupying in
all 2js days. The commission have
never failed TO have a quorum in at
tendance at its regular monthly meet
ings, and ia no case since the com
mencement Of the work has any con-
tractor or other persons having claims
against the State on account Of the
construction OF the capitol been
obliged to wait a single day on account
of the neglect or failure of the board
TO meet and act upon their claims. BY
this will be observed that uninterrupt-
ed health has been vo1chsafed 10 each
member 81 the board.
During ell these years Of watching
and waiting, Of toll and anxiety, the
commission has been greatly cheered.
encouraged and gratihod 10y the many
evidences Of confidence sprobation that
have come 10 them from time 10 timo
from ell portions Of the State. but fnd
their greatest qualification aud the
If.f.nnF .ruuarr tr. a..