Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-03-30
THE NEW CAPITOL.
The Reasons Why II VIII Not BE Com
p!eted This Year Interview with Gov
Hubbard. who Explains the Situation
Fullv
Minneapolis Tribune, 29th. |

| that the whole should be embodied In tn,
form Of a communication. On the 10ti
inst. the governor addressed note to MIR
Burlington, reminding him OF the letter Of
the l4th ult. and requesting him to furnish
the information called for as early as possible
In response to this Mr.. Burlington came tC
the governors office with his papers to give
verbal statement or explanation of the est
mates, but on being informed that the cover
nor desired detailed written statement which
could be placed on record, he prepared his es
innate accordingly and enclosed 1t to the gov.
ernor as follows:
MInNEAroLls, March a, lSSl.-Gen L.F. Hub
bare, Governor. st. Paul. DEAR SIn; In snswe,
10 yours Of February the 18th enclosed YOU viii
please ind IN estimate Of the new state capitol In
cuding the entire cost. These estimates have been
obtained from contractors and builders The pres
emit contracts let and the foundations put In last
amount to about 100000. The balance Of est.
mate 10 yet to be let. Very respectfully submitted
L. 8. BURLINGTON,
Sup. Arch't. Per B.
On applying for permission to copy the es.
Inmates, the clerk stated that he was instructed
public. This, he said, was S345,000. Remem.
bering that the total cost of the building had
been placed much lower when the legislature
had the capitol appropriation bills under dis
cussion, and also that the last appropriation
forbade an expenditure ON the building OF
more than was appropriated. the reporter
concluded that there was more to be learned
than appeared on the surface, and straight
way took himself to the governors Office.
"Governor," said the reporter, "your clerk
has shown me the total of estimates for the
new capitol. and the correspondence calling
on Mr.. Burlington for detailed estimates IN
writing, but will not permit me to COPY the
details, which think would be interesting to
the public"
Governor.-I instructed him not to give the
details to the reporters, because although some
contracts are made, others will have to be let
hereafter, and it might operate against the
fit of the architects estimates.
Reporter-Well, then, governor, may ask
you few questions about the building ofyour
capitol? have taken notes of your letters
calling for the estimates and copy of the
architects reply, with his footing of the total
cost, and would like to know little more
about it,
Gov.--I shall lie pleased to listen.
Rep.-Is it probable that the new capitol
will be finished this season?
G0y.-The appropriations made for the
purpose are not sufficient to complete the
building, hence do not see how It can be
done.
Reptile architects estimates, I see
amount to S245, OC0. What is the amount Of
the appropriations?
Gov. The total amount available for con-
struction and furnishing is $164,OOO.
Rep.-This would show adefciency OF SOL, )
600.
Gov.-More than that. The act of the
extra session, appropfiatipg S10O, 900, provides
that this amount with the former appropria.
tions shall finish and furnish the building.
Rep.-What amount will be required to
furnish the building?
Gov.-I have had no close estimates made
for the furnishing, as have been made for the
furnishing, but ami of the opinion it will re-
CURE fully S25 600 to furnish the building In
a complete manner.
kep.--There would heein then TO he def
cheney Of about $4,000.
Goy.--About that amount.
Rep Il suppose then that you will expend
the appropriations and let them go as far as
they will towards the completion Of the build
ing.
Gov--Such action might he allowable
under some circumstances, but in this case it
II not.
Rep.--Why?
Gov-The act of the extra session making
the list appropriation prohibits it.
Rep.-In what ways
Govt provides the amounts hereby and
heretofore appropriated shall be SO expended
as to complete the building in all respects, and
any violation of the provision Is made mis-
deReanor. / will refer you to the act itself,
which, perhaps, In this connection, it will be
well to publish if 1t is your purpose to print
this interview. Here Is the act. It is short
one which you can copy In few minutes:
capitol building and mako the san nearly fire.
proof as practicable:
Be it Enacted, etc. SECTION 1. There is hereby
appropriated out Of the money in the state treasury
til" sum CT one hundred thousand dollars $500
or 30 much thereof az may be necessary, to be OK.
pended under direction Of the governor, to dnieh
nearly fire-proof as possible; provided that the
amount hereby and heretofore appropriated for this
purpose. shall be- so expended as to to complete said
building In all respects. and that no contracts shall
be m ade in excess Of such appropriation, and any
violstlon Of this provision shall be misdemeanor.
Sec. Q. This act shall take effect and be In force
from and after its passage.
Approved hov. Is 1881. =.
Rep.-It is your purpose, governor to pros
ecute the work at all this ,eason?
Gov.--Yos. | have concluded to have the
existing contracts carried out, and such
further work done as will put the building in
condition % protect it from damage by the
clements.
: Req TO what stage OF progress will this
bring the building?
Govt will put 1t under roof.
Rep.-But not in condition go that even q
part Of it can be occupied?
Gov.-No. If felt authorized under the
law to use the entire appropriation without
completing the building in all respects,
would (eaving parts of it in en- incomplete
state) put the building in condition to he
occupied by the state officers and the legislature
next winter; but as that would be direct vi
olatlon of the terms of the law, of course 1T is
impossible.
Rep-How did it happen that the legislature
made this Insufficient appropriation, and a.
the same time placed such restrictions upon
its expenditure?
Gov.-That is matter of which was NOT
personally cogniEant, and hence can give you
no information regarding It.
Rep.-Could you not modify the plans so az
tmake q less expensive building7
Gov.-That is impracticable. The founda
tion is already In and contracts made for the
superstructure to such an extent, with ma
terial largely on the ground, that any change
that would materially lessen the cost could
not ". II be made. AS / have already said
parts of the building could be left unfinished
NOTABLY the tower and other expensive parts
--.but that would not complete the building
in all respects, as the law requires, within
the appropriation.
Rep.-How far do the existing contracts ex
tend?
Gov.-They provide for erections of th'
walls and principal partitions, and for tn,
roof and stating, but not fo' the guttcripe
and other lesser details of the roof.