The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-04-13


no longer needed, for as much or
more than it will cost now, and it
can be fitted up for use in very
short time, and thereby the cost
of renting may be saved.
l have no hesitation in recon-
mending this as the cheapest and
most practical plan for supplying
halls and offices during the time
that the new capitol is being built
This being done all of the materials
in the houses on the Capitol Square
that are to be removed, could be
advertised and sold, and be at once
removed, so as to be no longer an
obstruction in the erection of the
new capitol and being sold now,
while numerous buildings are be-
ing erected, and to be shortly here
after erected, the materials would
likely sell for something more than
if they have were removed at the
expense of the state, and were then
sold.
THE NEW CAPITOL.
The capitol board and the COM
missioners have acted harmonious
ly together, in everything relating
to their duties, as required of them
by the several laws for the erec-
ton of the new capitol. To show
their solicitude and arduous labors
on that subject, it is only necess ary
to mention the fact, that after the
preliminary specifications and work
ing plans of the new capitol had
been submitted to them by the
architect, Mr.. E. +. Myers, of De-
troit, Michigan, who had been en-
ployed to prepare them, they held a
continuous session of four weeks
examining every item of the same,
in connection with, and by the aid
of the architect, until they were
satisfied that everything had been
provided for, including the form
and terms of contract, that would
secure to the state large, commo-
dious and magnificent building, with
all of the necessary modern appll-
ances, for a capitol. The distinctive
features in their work are, that there
are substantially no discretions left,
as to the materials used, and work
to be done, and that any alterations
therein are to be provided for by a
new contract, without invalidating
the one first made. The contract
has been taken to build the house,
according to the plans and
specifications, for the three
millions of acres of lands
which were set apart for that pur-
pose, by Mr.. Matthias Schnell, who
has associated with him In the un-
dertaking a number of responsible
capitalists, that secures the due eX-
ecution of the work.
A most important matter, still to
be attended to, is to secure thor
oughly competent supervision OF
this work in its progress, so that the
plan and specifications of the build
ing shall be performed according
to the contract.
The law allows only fifteen hun
dred dollars per year for superin-
tendent, who is required to be u
skIllful architect. That is not more
than half enough to pay skillful
architect to attend strictly to his
duties every day, as is required by
the law.
Nor could we have engaged one,
as we have done, since the work was
commenced, except upon the expec-
tation that a higher salary would
be given, when the importance of 1t
should be fully appreciated. 1t is
of the first Importance, that the su-
perintendent should look to no
other source than to his salary from
the state, for compensation for the
exertion of his skill, firmness, integ-
rity, and constant attention to this
business. If a more liberal salary
can secure this, it will be great
economy in the end. The compen-
sation of the commissioners is fixed
bv law al five hundred dollars
per year for each of them. The COM
missioners have done q great deal of
necessary work, besides that re-
quired of them by law, partly be-
cause there was no superintendent
appointed by the capitol board
during the most of the time since
the law went into operation. They
have been paid their salary and no
more, except during one month and
a half, when they were employed by
the board to examine the rock quar-
ries and select specimens of mate
rials for the building. During that
time one hundred dollars per month
was paid to each of them. Their
services have been worth much more
to the state than the amount of
money that has been paid to them.
The law requires the commissioners
to inspect the work on the first
Monday of every month while the
work progresses. 1t would cer-
tainly be better to require them to
do it on Monday of every week, so
as to keep in their minds a full
knowledge of everything being
done; and in that event their COM
pensation should be double what is
now allowed them.
The legislature appropriated by
the act of 1879 the sum of six thou
sand dollars to carry out Its pro-
visions in the event the contract was
made to build the house for the
land. But very small amount OF
that ($3.44) has been used. The en-
tire amount of money, with that ex-
ception, that has been expended
about the new capitol in any way
whatever up to the present time
has been derived from half of the
proceeds of the $4,000 acres of land
set apart for that purpose by the act
of 1879, and from the appropriation
of the sum of $4,000 per annum for
two years out of the general rev.
enues, by the act approved first of
April, 1881. which amount the con-
tractor is required, by the contract,
to refund to the treasury, in pur-
suance to the law. Of this amount
there still remains on hand, in the
treasury unexpended, the sum of
$3629 O9. An itimized report OF its
expenditure up to the present time
will be made to the legislature.
Thus have the lands in the most
remote part of the state been made
available TO secure a contract for
the building of a magnificent capi-
tol, and to defray the incidental ex-
penses in the accomplishment of
that object so far. 1t is respectfully
recommended that the legislature
will, from this time on, furnish such
ample means as will insure, with
certainty, the execution of the con-
tract, and the ultimate completion
of the building.
LUNATIC ASYLUM.
A subject to which your attention
is invited is tn take such action as
may be necessary for supplying
water and for making other neces
sary improvements to the lunatic
asylum and to other public build
ings at the seat of government, and
to make such additional sppropria-