The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1881-02-06


AUSTIN, Feb, 8, 1881.
Accompanied by several members of the
Legislature, this afternoon, I visited the au.
preme cour. rooms, where are placed on ex-
blbiton, the plans. etc, for the new capitol
building. There are hltogether about dozen
of these ind nearly oil q them in their
front elevation being some thres or four feet
in length and width respectively. The cost, rs
estimated, ranges from 81, 100000 1851 $780,
600, as advertised for Three of tho views
are OF most elegant and unique design, and
either one will produce structure
EQUAL TO ANY CAPITOL
building in the United States, except tho one
at Washington
One Of the designs is strictly classic in
principle, and indeed so fer as exterior is
regarded, is modelled upon the ssyerest rule
that ignores oil super1uous ornsmenlation.
The other one, of not so large proportions,
is characterized by that spriChtlier style Of
architecture now so prevalent in the newer
cities, such as Chicago, etc, with mansMd
root, towers, domes, minsrets and turrets.
The first is suggestive of simplicity, grandeur
and durability; the second falls upon the eye
as a thing of beauty, taste and elegance. 20
make proper selection will be no easy task
for even board of experts, which assume
will be appointed.
1t will be remembered that this capitol
building, it is proposed, is TO be used
for all the necessary government
departments. There we are to have the sem
ate and the house Of representatives, the
treasury Office, the secretary of state the
comptroller, the supreme and appellate
courts, the library, commissioner Of insur-
ance, geologist, portrait gallery, committee
rooms, officials offices, superintendent Of
education, etc., etc.
The plans ar5 all supposed to be drawn
with due regard TO acoustics, light, venLila-
ton, health, provision against fire, heating,
etc. The heating is intended TO be by steam,
and the lighting by gas, aud possibly cleo
trcity. Its estimated that the building can be
COMPLETED WITHIN FOUR YEARS
from the date of commencement. The board
Of statehouse commissioners have
an immense responsibility resting upon
them in the selection, for their work is to
be the subject of the criticism Of the country
and Of generation Of their own citizens.
AS illustrative of the general plans, will
outline one Of them TO you, The basement
rooms are designed for storage and for
the placing of the steam heating pipes, and
for such other purposes as convenience may
dictate. The halls for the
SENATE AND THE MOUSE
are located in the extreme ends of the build
ing and on the second floor, running up to
the fourth story, and the frescoed ceilings
whereof will be ornsmented with the most ele-
giant of designs. Cloak rooms and lobby, clerk
and committee rooms, refreshment rooms,
etc, will all be on this same floor. Around
the legislative halls will DO the visitors gal
leries, on q level with the third floor, and
here will DO also ladies' retiring rooms, with
basins, dressing cases, ETC., etc.
THE SUPREME COURTS
will be on the third floor, and twenty six feet
high, with pilasters enriched with stuoco,
composite caps and entsblture, and panneled
ceiling. On this floor, too, will be the offices
Of the judges, the CLERKS, the law library.
On tho second floor will be the
GOVERNORS RECEPTION ROOMS
for public occasions This is intended 10 be
of most exquisite finish aud perfect model
Of architectural taste.
THE LIBRARY
is located in the wing of the centre building
occupying all the space of the wing. The
room is % feet high, under the plan l saw
and am now speaking Of and will be two
stories high, with alcoves for books, etc
The librarians room is connected with it.
while on the opposite side is designed the
room for the portraits of the illustrious men
of Texas. its governors, etc. The interior
finish is to be handsome in the extreme, and
above is TO be p skylight, etc.
THE sTAIRwAYs,
the corridors, the galleries, the vestibules
the Hobbies, etc., arc sll TO be arranged as to
position, convenience, comfort, ETC., in the
most approved modes.
l sincerely trust favorable action will be
taken at the earliest moment. 1t il the
erection Of such buildings that will tend tc
unity The sentiment ofthe different portions
of this state, aud thus gradually instl iptC
the minds of all that Texas is to remais one
aud indivisible. The capital of the United
States would long since have been removed
from Washington, were it not for the costly
and magnificent public structures there, and
of which any nation might well be proud