The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1882-02-02
WORLDS HIGHEST STRUCTURES:


NeU Capitol at dustin. ........ 81
New Michis an Capitol. ann. BOG "
Trinity Church, New York. %. 283 4"
Bunker Hill Monument. ...... geo 4"
Capitol at Washington. ....... ll5
Thus it will be seen that our capitol
will be the highest Of all buildings in
America, and the seventh highest in The
world
STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE
The classic style Of architecture more
COMFORTS with the grandeur Of build
ing of this character, and hence this
style has been adopted. In the design
all superflnous ornamentatiOn has been
discarded. There are no useless towers,
minarets or turrets. AS The architect
truly says, they may illustrate or enliven
a badly proportioned design; they may
lead the eye away from violations OF
harmony, or prove II m"mentary nttrac.
ton TO the uncultured, but they can
never afford continued pleasure or secure
the appreciation of students of art and
good taste. One has but to recall the
most beautiful and admired public build
| ings of the world 10 recognize the fact that,
in architecture, simplicity and grandeur
| the most imposing effects are obtained
where the well known canons of classic
art In all its severity and durability are
combined. S.ateliness and strength are
happily suggestive of power, and pro
| duce impressions that merrtrlciouS orna-
mentations can never attain. There can
be absence of trivial ornamentation with
out violation Of the canons of beauty.
CHARACTER OF BUILDING STONE.
The board had before them a variety
of building stone from which to select,
including specimens of superior blue and
red granite and many grades of marble
from Marble Falls, in Burnett county,
severable kinds of valuable sandstone
and many different qualities of lime
stone. The kind selected was beauti.
full fOssiliferous limestone, found in ex!
haustless Quantities near Austin and pro-
nounced by official experts at Washington
20 be susceptible of greater pressure
than any known building stone. This is
| the same material of which the new Fed
eral courthouse and postoffice here is
| constructed For ornamentation and ia.
terror finish various kinds of Texas mar
BILE will tie used.
| THE BASEMENT.
Upon the first or basement floor there
are tifty-one rooms, designed for the use
! of the comptroller's and treasurer's de
partments, for storage purposes and fOI
/ the placing of steam heating pipes, etc
| The engine 70 m will be located al a dis
lance outside the capitol TO comport NOR,
with safety and comfort. Where neces
sary all offices will have private vaults
| The specie vault of the treasurer will bt
provided with double set of entranc,
doors, and will be lined on the inside anc
made burglar proof, being lined will
| four thickness ;es Of half in metal, two Of
which will be chrome steel, and eacl
door to have chronometer time locks.
SECOND STORY.
The halls OF the senate and house o
Representatives are on the second floor
tho walls being forty eight feet in height
occupying two stories. They leave 1
gallery on a level with the floor above
In dimensions the senate chamber will b'
seventy-two by ssventy-six feet, sur
rounded by Hobbies, cloak rooms, wasl
rooms, closets, etc. Representative hal
Is eeventy.twO by ninety-six feet and sur
rounded by lobbies and rooms for va
riOus uses as the senate chamber. Or
this floor there are numerous oihe
rooms for officers and con mittec uses
In the front centre Is portal
gallery designed for the portraits Of the
different state officers and other dis
tinguished persoDages. On the SAINT
floor in the north center, and in direc
connection with the portrait gallery, il
located the state library, sixiy-iiye By
one hundred and twenty-five feet, two
stories in height, with galleries and al
coves for books. Private stairs and ele
vators are arranged to the alcoyes
Around the columns will be arranged
book cases for the use OF large volumes,
the cases to be three feet high, having
sliding shelves and the tops TO form tables
The alcoves OF The library will be made
of black walnut, the fronts veneerec
with French walnut. There will be ar
admirable arrangement TO dispose OF
dust in the library. Between ach tiel
of books will be hollow space two
inches wide by the length OF each alcove
They connect directly with the dus
shafts. and the dust shafts are connected
with q large exhaust fan located in til,