The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-03-03
.The Capitol Competition.

itol must not be underestimate.
Special consideration and interest
must be manifested 10 secure a sue
cessful issue of all questions likely
TO be involved therein. A building
must be shortly commenced COM
mensurate with the growing inn
portance and influence of the State
] OF Texas. To secure this result. and
in part to contribute to the success
OF this important undertaking. it
may be stated in continuation of
previous communication. That in
selecting a suitable design, which
is the first step to be taken in this
amount of consideration and parti-
cular attention should be paid to
the varied forms of all, even merito-
rious designs. Unbiased opinions,
both competent and practical, are
necessary to secure final Judgment
in favor of the best and most suitable
place for all purposes in all its parts.
Any design for State Capitol build
ing or for any other purpose, must
present in a marked degree
the. following essential elements,
which go to make up q perfect
structure. Such structure must be
Of the most suitable form, or ar
rangement of plan. 1t must be safe
| ly and durably constructed, having
both labor and material of the most
| approved kind. 1t must be orna-
mented with such taste as this To-
cation, and climate and as q sense of
the beautiful and economy shall die
tate.
The arrangement OF plan that is
found mo tsuitable for State Capt.
tOl is usually distinguished by five
main portions, which constitute a
cruciform shape; centre projections
prevail. They are treated with tri-
umphal arch-formed entrances. or
otherwise.
These central portions, connect
wit curtains, or intermediate parts
~ the other portions, which form
the cXtremities or wings. These
| curtains at times enclose open courts
for light. and direct ventilation.
| Strong currents of air are natural
| 10 this arrangement.
The curtains or intermediates, are
formed to obstruct sounds, pro-
| cGeding from street traffic, and TO
cast cool shade over the import
ant parts located within them.
A direct passage of air is thus Sc
cured through the windows and
doors of each office and department.;
and access to all parts is gained by
open sheltered arcaded galleries.
These intermediates are other
| wise mere connections between the
| wings and centres.
AS previously stated the best
plans, arranged to secure direct ae-
cess from all portions of the build
| ing without inconvenience or inter
ruptiOn TO a constant and direct pas
sage.
Plans should provide all neces-
and expedite the business of each
Experimentation interruption or
noisy transit.
Each department should have its
full - complement .of offices and
rooms, and should be located close
to and in regular contiguity with
the departments and rooms necessa-
rally needing direct communica-
ton and passage between each other.
In some plans this feature is lost
sight of entirely or partially. The
| actual purpose of the building is
overlooked and the building dis
jOinted, distorted and disson-
ected in its facts, for the
purpose Of assimulating la .gni-
tude, and imposing upon, the
rnskilled and apparently effective
looking exterior, which would fail
of presentment in the actual work,
except as a distortion of form and
a Disagreement of the whole build
ing
There are other plans which do
not take into consideration the
special nature of the site and the
proper form 10 secure the simplest |
and best mode of ventilation and
light.
The arrangement Of the various
stories tor the best location of the
departments is another Important
consideration. In this particular
most plans have the basement and
first story arranged somewhatalIke. |
They provide for the Governor
and for the state officials and principle |
offices upon the first floor. Commu-
nicatlon between these departments
is secured by corridor, running
east and west, and crossing north |
and south alike at the rotunda or
central portion of the building. |
Il is desirable that stairway
should be located at this poini |
as well as in the wings. -"SOme plans
also provide elevators centrally To-
Gated" There are many other es-
sential features to be considered III |
all these plans, which would cause |
this communication to be too lengthy |
if considered here in full.
The central location and ampli- |
tude-of the stairways, is important |
for ready access, and easy ascent |
from floor to floor. The legislative
halls, superior courts, and libraries |
and the requisite Offices with all |
modern conYeniences and of suffi-
cient size, must be placed in the |
second and third floors. Supreme |
Judges usually being men of adj
vanced years, they and their depart |
ments need the accommodation Of |
elevators which secures in the third |
floor their position in point of con-
venience equal to any other. The |
handling of bulky packages and pa
pers to and from the pOstOffice /
rooms, and other departments must |
also require this cheap and modern
convenience for transportation and
handling a. well as for the bene-
Git of tho general public and
the general assembly. The loca-
ton of The superior courts and of |
the legislative halls, must be |
such as to secure the easiest and |
readiest means of access to the
judges rooms, law library and Off
GERS of the court: and TO the COM
mittee rooms, clerks and attendants
on the Legislative assembly; and es-
pecially for securing q strict priva-
.cy where needed by any member or
members of the assembly when inn
portant business engages his or
their attention.
Important committee rooms must |
be located of easy access, and so
must be the engrossing room, post
Office rooms and enrolling rooms,
of both houses. Easy cOmmunica-
ton must be secured for the Cover
nor and his staff; and the principal |
off ers ofstate, in their dates, when
called upon by the assembly.
In fact, the Importance of the best
departmental location. providing
for the future and not merely for |
to-day. cannot be TOO we'll assumed. |
both for comfort in tile summer and 7