The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-09-14
The Reporters Fired Out and the
Meeting Private.
OFFICIAL Action Deferred Until Next
Week.
The Debris Being cleared Away.

Yesterday at 10 O'Clock the capitol
board met, and after a personal inspection
of the Modern Ruins, at the head of
the Avenue, went into executive session
with the doors closed ind the keyholes
chinked-that is, so far as reporters were
concerned. A request was made that
representatives of the press be admitted,
in consideration of the fact that a ques-
ton was to be brought up which affects
the whole people IF the state, but that
request was peremptorially declined in
one eloquent monosylable from the pres
ident of the board. Reporters have way
Of finding out things, despite any and every
obstacle which may be Iuthlessly thrown
in their way aud, while at this particu-
lar meeting nothing was done which any
member of the board could possibly
wish to conceal, the air of secresy assum-
ed by some would lead an innocent to
believe preparations Were in progress for
a toltftepdSh sOtree, at which only select
guests could be present. This remark is
not uttered in the shape of IA charge, but
really we can see no good reason why all
this seCresy should be so studiouslY pre-
served, when qu, siions like the one under
consideration yesterday, one in which
justice to and frank dealing with the state
and people demand SHOULD be open and
above board, are involved. One mem
Der of the board at least, we are glad to
say, takes the same view as the STATES.
MAN, and To the others we would res
pectfully suggest that good meaning men
very often, through thoughtless acts,
place themselves in an unenviable light.
The following official communications
We're placed before the board 4:
AUSTIN, Sept. 8, 1882.
Gov. O. NJ. Roperts, President Capitol Board,
Austin, Texas
DEAR SR-The enclosed communica-
ton from Mr.. l. j. Duhamel, superin-
tendent of construction, is respectfully re-
ferred TO your honorable body for such
action rs in its judgment may be deemed
proper. Respectfully, Jos. LEE.
N. l.. NORTON.
Capitol Building Commissioners.
AUSTIN, Sept. s, 1882.
Messrs. Lee and Norton, Capitol Building Com
missiOners
GENTS wish to report TO you an ac-
cident which has occurred to the tempo
rary capitol, in so much that parts of the
north and west walls have fallen, and
that this was caused entirely by the
storm which prevailed at that time. The
walls of this building, owing to the linn
tied time for the execution of the same,
have been rapidly put in place,
and with the rains we have had
lately were in green state, the mortar
not having set and dried to give that sta
bility to the walls which it would
have done when thoroughly set. The
roof of the building was so far ad-
vanced rs to cause all the rain to flow
directly on the top of the walls, which
became so thoroughly saturated as to
separate the parts composing them, and
the roof itself being exposed entirely
above and below to the great wind that
prevailed caused such a vibration as to
accelerate the destruction by water.
The contractor has resumed work and
is clearing away the debris preparatory
TO reconstruction.
Should any damage occur further than
that which Is in immediate connection
with the break mentioned above, will
report the same as soon as discovered.
Very respectfully, L. j. DUuAMEL,
Superintendent.
After some discussion, or rather an in
terchange of ideas, in which the reporter
was not interested (y), the following res
olutiOn was adopted
"hes0tced, That the board shall select
three persons, who understand the build.
ing business, to examine the temporary
capitol and report to this board what
causes led to the falling of the walls, and
what is the condition of the walls and
other parts of the building now standing,
and generally to consult with the board
as to what is best to be done in regard to
the construction OF the proposed build
ing"
In accordance with the above Messrs.
], H. Kampmann, of San Antonio John
Hendrickson, of Bolton, and J. Larmour,
state architect at Huntsville, were select
ed and each telegraphed and asked to be
here by next Monday morning. This
ends the matter, so far as any official ac-
ton is concerned, until the verdict of
these experts is given. Meantime, Mr..
Smith, the contractor, has resumed
work, clearing away the debris prepare
tory 10 rebuilding the fallen walls.