The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-03-10
Tho state Capitol Competition.

important consideration is that OF
the building in its constructive or
structural character.
To secure q good building in that
respect, it Is necessary to obtain and
apply in its erection, for each specific
purpose, the best material 10 be OBJ
aimed, and known to possess thos
properties, that viii secure the pro-
lection of the building against all
the elements ascertained 10 be at
variance with Its lasting nature 10
prevent the disintegrating of its
parts and 70 preserve its strength
and beauty.
To advance the interests of the
State of Texas and its cap
ital city, the material for va
rious purposes can be found
in the surrounding neighborhood
to enter largely into the struc-
ture. 1t has been fully demonstrated
by the building commissioners, who
have charge of the matter of inves-
tigating the nature of the various
specimens of clays and rocks, which
from time to time have been placed
before them for selection from this
neighborhood.
That we have the material to Sc
cure the best lines, cements, con-
cretes, mortars and foundation
rocks, for such a heavy structure,
which possess in an extraordinary
degree the elements of tenacity,
strength and durability for every
purpose.
We have only to secure the means
of producing these materials in
larger quantities to have them not
only in use for the present building of
the State Capitol, but for the benefit
Of all future private as well as pub
lie buildings within the state, and
for expectation. That we can pro-
duce the hydraulic lines and cement
equal to any production of this or
a-y other country, is beyond II
doubt.
Enterprising men, when Opportu
nifty serves, will take hold and Sc
cure this great manufacturing in
dustry, and the state OF Texas will
supply her own wants, as well as
that of other sections of the country
which now obtain their supplies of
hydraulic cements from England.
New York and Kentucky, and their
supplies of plaster from the gypsum
formations Of Michigan and France.
1t has been stated by. investiga-
tors of this subject that a lime,
equal 10 the lime of Tiel,
which of French origin and is now
imported into this country for the
purpose of forming a mastic or plas-
ter, possessing lasting properties, Sc
cure against the disintegraitng eff
fects of atmospheric action, and
which contains in all extraordinary
degree properties indestructible by
fire. This mastic or plaster is used
with proportions of other ingredi-
ents, such as plaster of paris, submit
ted to certain processes, cast into
forms or blocks or applied as NOR
tar. for the purpose of building fire
proof partitions, walls, floors, domcs
and roofs. Not only have we the
sometimes for ordinary use, but the
water-limes, equal TO the blue las oil
England and her celebrated cements;
and for interior finish we can have
the extraordinary qualifications OF
Keenes' London, England, white
furnishing cements.
Besides the actual strength re-
quired in the construction of the
building in all its parts,it is especially
important that the stone and brick
entering largelyin into the composition
of the structure, shall approximate
the durability and strength OF the
best known limestones, when sub.
jected to like influences, weights
and strains. AS in the case OF the
lines, cements and concretes, so with
those materials; they can be oh.
tanned within few miles of the CITY
of Austin, and in other parts of the
state.
Within easy distance quantity
of limestone and marble abOunds in
varied and beautiful colors and
shapes, that will not only secure To- the
State of Texas a durable building
but one that can be successfully
adorned from the wealth of her
own rich geological resources
The display of designs in the SUI
preme Court room indicates beyond
a doubt, that most of the competi-
tors. if not all, have not overlooked
the importance of obtaining struc-
ture, that shall possess, in a marked
degree, fire proof construction
largely sought to be obtained i'll
erecting q work of this magnitude
and Importance. Practical, and disas.
trous experience, hand in hand with
science, has proven the best of ma
terials to be used for this purpose
and the mode of its application TO
secure fhe greatest resistance against
destruction by fire.
Untramelled by restrictions or
patented rights" nature alone
| furnishes material, and privileges
alike to all for this purpose We
have only to take advantage of her
supplies in the State of Texas to Sc
cure the best results. Iron has to
enter largely into the construction
of floors, ceilings, roofs and domes.
Material of a combustible nature
must be eschewed, and avoided as
much as practicable, where other
material can be substituted with
equal advantage. Especially in all
of the ceilings, roofs and partitions,
Under no condition should a parti-
Gle of wood or other combustiblc
material enter into any of these
parts of the building, not even laths
for plastering. 1t is desirable 10 Sc
cure a plan upon which the partition
walls for the several stories, and for
the general arrangement of eacll
floor, shall rest without the aid of
such expedients as supporting
beams and columns the building at
every point should be constructed
to sustain each part from the
ground up.
For the purpose of obtaining a
shape that might or might mol salts
fy good taste after obtained, ii
should have for its support solid
foundation; it should not overload
or overhang its supports to any
extent to cause any insecurity, nor
should it be supported by tricks OF
construction by propping, and brac-
ing, and snoring upon stilt-like col
umns, and gauZy frame work of
struts and braces. Nor would it be
proper to attempt to build dome
of marble and iron, exerting a pres
sure of, say from twenty to thirty
thousand pounds to the square foot
upon few feet of roof trusses and
beams, braced against slender iron
columns, to support its immense
weight, hundreds of feet above its
practicable base. Such a mass would
require the artIfice of supportcred-
tied to sustain Mahomet's coffin in