The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-02-24

sons, is also contemplated by law, anC
the advisory nature Of the bushes
to be performed by experts, make
it especially necessary that their ap
pointment and selection shall b,
made with impartiality and Will
great caution. Such person or per
sons shall be totally unbiased; moi
shall they be in favor of any par
ticalsr person or contracting firms
plans or designs. Such experts must
have practical knowledge of the
building art in its most advanced
and modern sense, and they
should thoroughly understand
the special construction of each
building as suggested and
contemplated by each particular
design in all its parts. They must
be acquainted with the strength and
durable nature of the proposed ma.
terial, to be employed in the struc.
ture, and in the analyzation and cal
culation of the various strains to
which each part will be subjected;
also as to the amount the erection
of the building may be reasonably
expected to cost when contracted
for. These are matters which both
the experts and the commissioners
will be expected to advise upon.
In the range and practice of the art
of building, these qualifications it is
known, are rarely found combined
in a single individual, and therefore,
to select such a person-fr from the same
community in part of this state, or
any part of the county in which
competitor has influence and has
practiced his profession, might pro-
badly prejudice the judgment. for
some special style of. design or plan.
The designs submitted are presumed
to be over unknown signatures, but
it appears to be well known whence
and from whom they all come, for
the characteristic work Of an archi-
tect, like that of literary author,
tells its own tale. The thirteen sets
of plans submitted, excepting that
noted one from Hog-Eye, which oc-
cupies the honored place over the
great Fireplace in the hall of justice,
are all known by visitors, and the
merits of the plans of "Pexan"
"Tuebor" "San Jacinto" "Pay as you
go" or "Architect" are known of
most persons at all informed. many
possessing, no doubt, an individual
ity, strongly marked ;" for no two
competitors present their ideas in a
similar manner. In these prellmi-
nary drawings, for they must all be
considered as such, the idea rather
than the reality is sought. No build
ing will be painted or highly colored;
no building will be lightly tinted or
deeply shaded, except by the pure
white limestone Of these hills about
Austin, and by the shades and
shadows of the day and night time.
The experienced and practiced ar
chitect amt builder, versed in the
details and work of his business,
will be required to develop out of
these masses of ideas a practical
form to build up structure, which
will blend with harmony the utili-
tartan elements, contained in the dis
position Of the general plans, with
che beauties of that particular archi-
tectural form and decorative
element, which will be. found
most suitable, beautiful and abid-
abiding. Tho designs now under
consideration have been received
from Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky.
and Tennessee, as well as from sew
eral places in our own state. The,
selection of an expert or. experts can
therefore, because ofthis knowledge
of place. be conducted with care
aud the Governor will, as he always
does, keep clear of any undue infu=
ences. Whether he selects, advice
from among the master minds of the
great Eastern cities, or from out of
young and vigorous and growing
Texas, or from both: we may feel
sure hat the decision Unsecured by
no undue influence or sinister sug-
gestion; and yet the STATESMAN does
not intend to convey the idea that
such influences; directly or indirect
ly, may not be attempted. tE.s 80