The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1883-02-08
THE EXECUTIVE MANSION.

The legislature is contemplating an
appropriation for the improvement OF
the executive mansion, and unless the
proper caution be takenin expanding
money for such purpose any sum so
appropriated will absolutely be
thrown away. The mansion was
built twenty-seven years ago, and 1t
has already done the service
usually expected of houses. The
state could well afford to
rebuild it, but this not being a neces-
sity, 1t should provide for such reno
walton as viii make the house suita-
BILE for the purpose contemplated, for
probably twenty-seven years longer
The proposition is to appropriate for
ty-five hundred dollars for renovating
and reiitting the mansion, when in
reality il will take that sum TO pro-
vide It with proper furniture when
renovated. To patch up IS not the
point. There should be complete
oyerhauling of the building. inyolv-
ing the removal of the old and the
addition OF new roof, fresh plastering
over air chambers in the walls to pro-
tect the house from dampness In the
future. new windows and new
blinds and floors relaid; in fact,
"A renewal of almost every thing
about the house, excepting the walls,
is needed. The house was built at Il
time when good work was not done
in Austin, and since 1t so happens
that the walls are substantial and
solid, the money now expended on
the mansion should he of a permanent
character. To go to patching up a
deeayed old roof and putting GLACIERS
at work on rickety old windows, and
workmen to mending old blinds, is
absurd. The state is able to have the
work done in 4 decent manner, and
the legislature should not hesitate to
authorize a competent architect to
make plans and estimates for modern
izing the building, for making it a fit
residence for the governor of Texas.
On the suggestion of such an archi-
tect an appropriation should be made
covering his estimates. and then in a
few months the house might be made
habitable. AS it is, 1t is not fit for a
residence. The dampness of the
walls, the exhalations from vapory
and noxious cellars, the leaking roof,
and other notable faults, make it un-
tit for any human being to dwell in.
1t Is u noted fact that the residents of
tho mansion have through many
years been plagued with disease. AS
far back as the day of Governor
Houston it had this reputation. Dis
ease has taken hold of every family oc.
cupying it. Governor Hubbard's chill
dren became infected with miasmatic
poison in the mansion, and they died
after they left it from its effects.
Diphtheria and chills and fever pre-
vailed among the members Of Gov.
Enthusiastically rs long as they occupied
the building; and upon this to invite
Gov. Ireland To make it his residence
without thoroughly curing its defects
is most unreasonable. The STATES
MANS advice to him, in fact, with the
lights before it. would be not to take
his family into the mansion unless it
be thoroughly renovated as
We suggest. 1t was an
oversight probably OF tho retiring
governor that he did not ask the
legislature to so renOyate the building.
He was the proper person TO urge It;
not the governor who has just been
inaugurated. II will take but short
time. however, to remedy what has
been overlooked. The governor not
being the proper person to suggest
that the building be prepared for his
reception, the legislature should take
the matter under careful elaboration
and have done that which il absolutely
necessary in the premises.