The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-05-19
The New CapItoi.

The New Capitol.
The following is n general description
OF the new Capitol, the plans OF which
were submitted by Mr.. f. f. Myers, a
distinguished architect of Detroit, Michf-
gan.
STYLE OF Architecture.
As COMFORTING best with the grandeur
OF building OF this character the classic
STYLE OF architecture has been chosen.
The outline Is sufficiently broken 10 give
dignity and stateliness and to afford
pleasing contrasts of light and shade,
without impairment OF the unity OF the
design, which Is strictly classic IN princi-
pie. II is pleasing to note that IL avoids
all supernuous ornamentatIon, and more
espeeially~does II ignore all such as are
liable to decay or be destroyed by the
elements. Great care has been taken 20
reject anything which may look well
while new but become incrusted with
dirt in the course OF time, and mar the
beauties OF the building and become an
object OF offense. The design has no use
less towers, mInarets or turrets, which,
while expensive, are OF but little use.
They may illustrate or enliven a badly
proportioned design; they may lead the
eye away from violations OF harmony, or
prove momentary attraction to.the un-
uncultured. but they can never af-
ford continued pleasure or secure
the appreciation OF students OF art
| and good taste; hence the architect has
studiously avoided having any such use
less APPENDICES, and evidently recognizes
that In architecture simplicity aud gran
deur best comport together, and that the
most imposing effects are obtained where
the well known canons of classic art in
all its severity and durability are COM
bined. Statellness and strength are hap
PLY suggestive of power, and produce
impressions that meretricious ornaments
ton, can never attain. The length of
building Is $40 feet; extreme length with
porticos, 568; depth, 2SS; heighth of dome
81. The arrangement OF the offices
throughout Is all that can be desired.
They have direct light as well as sunlight
upon all windows during portion.o the
| day. .
VENTILATION
has been carefully made, and fresh air
will be broughtinto the building perpetual
ly by means of provided passages, and the
foul airbe constantly removed from every
department and conveyed by ducts built
in the corridor floors to ventilating shafts
through which it will escape. The build
ing is designed to be heated with steam,
by both direct and indirect radiation.
Great attention has been paid to axcous-
ties, which has always been one OF the
most difficult problems connected with
the construction of legislative halls. The
halls Ofthe Senate and House OF Represen-
tatives are situated in the extreme ends OF
the building on the second floor and will
be elegantly fitted up with all the modern
improvements known to the art.
THE OFFICES f
of the Governor will be on the second
floor, and In all of their appointments
will be equal to any In any state in the
Tnion. The Adjutant Generals Office
will be located on this floor. and
in connection with 1t will be
a large museum for the ex-
hibitiOn of the trophies of war. such 3
| battle-fiags, arms, ETC., ETC., and for the
arrangement of the various arms of SER
vice designed for the exhibition of pro-
| jectiles and large ordnance. The Comp
| troller will be on this floor and have
| twenty-five rooms at his disposal,
fitted up In elegant and convenient
style. The Treasury department is
well provided for, and the. arrangement
of the offices complete In every particu-
lar. The specie vault Is provided with
/ n double set of entrance doors, and is
| lined on the inside and made perfectly
burglar-proof. There is n separate vault
/ for the Treasurer's books. This vault is
/ so arranged In the inside OF the Treas
urer's vault, intended TO be non-accessi-
BILE to the clerks, and lined on the inside
with four thicknesses of half-inch metal
two of which will be chrome steel; the
| doors are double, of the same thickness
/ OF me tai, each door to have chronometer
hme-locks. II is designed for the storage
/ of money, bonds and other valuable pa
| pers belonging to the state. In the wing
of the centre building, and occupying all
the space of the wing, is located the State
Library. The room Is twenty-five feet
4 n aSs,as 70. honrs Pr,ya,s stairs and a.
vs,es ara arranaad 10 the slcoves sIso NJ
Fasor sre arran s ~ sn ne nSo'eS' S'so "
commune up W 'ne IA" library
SUPREME AND APPELLATE COURT ROOMS.
i The Supreme and Appellate Court
rooms are on the third floor; the ceilings
l of these rooms will be. twenty-six feet
4 high; the pilasters shown on plans will
| have enriched stuccO composite caps and
entabliture; the ceiling win be panneled.
The offices OF the clerks, of these courts
i are placed In rear of the court rooms, and
/ adjoin the law library. From the state
library to the law library will be circu-
lar iron stair case for the convenience OF
!. the librarian. The private rooms of the
j SupremeJudges are also placed on this
lhoor, but directly in front OF the build
Il ing, giving them very, pleasant quarters,
also d, large room for consultation. ON
\ each side Of the. rotnnda. near the dome,
!. WIN be iocsted,the grand staircases, and
i In the main corridor Will be the elevator
4 which Will run to the fourth floor. Al
i Ssnsse and Honss ofRenrese and
IL n !. A.