The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-12-09
THE TEXAS CAPITOL.

The commissioners on adoption of
plans for the building of the state
Capitol offer premium of $1700 for
the accepted plan, the only premium
offered; and the time allotted, in
which competitive designs are to be
executed and submitted, has been
extended from four weeks to ten
weeks. Even this time is too short
for the proper execution of plans,
and confines competition to such
architects only as are financially
able to engage q large amount of
Office labor and brain work. But it
is hardly to be expected that this
class of architects will submit them
selves to such an enormous amount of
labor for the sake ofcompeting for a
prize of $17O0, and thereby still run
risk of having the best designs re-
jected, as the advertisement plainly
reads that the right is reserved to
reject. any and all plans. COnse-
quently from such offices we may
only expect second-handed. re-
hashed, old designs. A monumen-
tai building; as this Capitol is ex-
pected to be, should show in its
architecture the character and
spirit of a Texas people; and in
its interior arrangements it should
conform with the necessary require
ments of Texas climate, which in
many respects very widely differs
from that of other states. We must
then naturally expect that such sec
ond-handed designs from other
states cannot fill these requirements.
But aside from this, if we may ask /:
Does it become the dignity of the
largest state in the Union, with its
past glorious history and bright fu-
ture, to adopt such plans, rejected
perhaps, in other states? Texas
should be, and undoubtedly is, able
to build a structure worthy of its
future, which not only in its legisla-
tive halls, where the intelligence of
Texas is represented, but also in its
outside architecture, shall stand as a
monument AMI remind the stranger
by its imposing dignity, its orna-
ments and emblems, of past history,
and also of the spirit, tendencies and
ideas of Texas people; monu-
ment that coming generations may
point at with pride as the emblem of
their native state, the largest in the
Union. Seventeen hundred dol
lars is offered as the first
and only premium for the ac-
eepted plan. We remember that
some years past, competitive designs
for a communion bench in the cathe-
dral at Cologne were solicited. Tho
building committee offered four
prizes to architects for the best and
most meritorious designs. The cost
of the bench was not to exceed $24.-
900. The first prize was $4,000, the
second $4,000, the third and fourth
$1,000 each. This is not an excep-
tional instance, but Is custom in
Europe. How long shall talent and
art go begging IN this country? we
send millions TO Europe for produc-
tions in the fine arts, which, with
reasonable encouragement and prop
er compensation TO home talent,
could be retained at home. In monu-
mental structures In Europe the
architects fees are often as high as
ten per cent. Of the actual costs. In
this country, Of course, weget their
services q great deal cheaper; the
architect frequently offers his ser
vices so low as to be hardly able
to cover his actual expenses What
Is the RESULT This man goes in,
with the original intention of re-
sorting TO illegal measures during
the construction Of the building.
he defrauds. Unfortunately we ex-