The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-01-31
WORK ON THE STATE CAPITOL
What Was Accomplished by the Con-
tractors During Last Season.
Annual Report of the COmmissiOnerS-Wh
the Expenditure Thus Far Has Been
and the Total Cost viii Be.

/ y
mitted to the Governor their report for the
quarter ending with last December 1t com
prises general statement of the proceedings of
| the board during the last year and contains
considerable information of interest regarding
the construction of the building. The difficult
ties of the last year caused by the contractors
abandoning their work are reviewed. The
reletting of the contract appeared an inevitable
necessity, and, therefore, most of the work of the
| Commissioners and the supervising architect was
devoted to the plans and specifications of the
building. In giving an explanation of the
proceedings the report says that believing it to be
| the intention of the law that the 100000 APP
propriated should be expended in the construe-
ton of the house, the board recognized the
duty of perfeeting the plans to the
extent but not beyond the limit, of
their means, and employed their time in making
such Improvements as seemed useful and proper,
and, in the language of the law, ''in keeping with
the dignity of the State"
If the contractors had continued to progress
with their work satisfactorily, many of the alter
ations in the plans would have been postponed to
the time of their actual construction, but, under
the circumstances, to avoid giving any pretext
bond, the board were advised by the Attorney
general that all contemplated changes in the
building should be made before the existing con
tract should be declared abandoned. This, of
course, involved the necessity of a thorough and
critical examination in detail of every part of the
unfinished building
The Commissioners state there is reasona-
BILE hope, at least, that, Notwithstanding the
many obstacles that have been encountered, the
State Capitol, with all the desirable improve
ments necessary to its completeness, will yet be
built within the original limit fixed by law
The changes made in the original plans are
enumerated as follows
First-In the carpenter and Joiner work pro-
viding wooden wainscoting in the first story of
fees and changing the finish of the doors,
frames, caslRgs and windows. Also, changing
the wood finish of the Senate chamber and that
of the House of Representatives, and library and
Supreme Court rooms, and in other parts of the
building, specifying thirty-one changes, and add
ing to the original cost of the building the sum
of $37, 212 90
Second-In the plastering, stucco, and plugging
work of the corridors ceilings, and interior fin
ish of the legislative halls library. Supreme
Court rooms, and the rooms of the Speaker and
Lieutenant governor, by which the original cost
Of the building is increased 81, 226 90.
Third-ln the cut-stone work in the basement
steps, also that in the main cornice, and in the
base of the pavilions and portico floors, and
ceilings of pediments; also, IN that OF the dome
and dome columns, also changes in the grand stair
case, the roof trusses. purlins and sheeting of
the main building. corridors, paviions and
dome also changes from wood to marble in the
wainscoting of the corridors, and other changes
enumerated in seventy-two items in the report
of the architect, by which the original contract
price has been increased 81 704 IA
FOurth-In the copper, lead slate and plumb
ing work, changes were made increasing the
original cost to the amount of $4,000.
Hla a6d 70 fha nff In h17flI
amount to $780, 1929. The entire cost, if com
pleted according to the present contract will be:
Original contract, s., 500 621. 65: additions
count of changes made prior to 1888, 1921, 1884 81;
additions for changes during 1883, 800, l42. SO;
for extra concrete in the northwest corner of the
foundation, 81, 95S. 90, making total of 81, 1885,,
1876. To this sum should be added for hard
ware, glass. marble mantels, tling steam heat
ing, and vault doors, estimated at 1922, 944 80,
making the total cost of the building, when com
pleted, 81, $50, 052 81.
This will leave for future contingencies the
sum of $l43, 947.49, which, it is believed by the
Commissioners will be ample to complete the
work. including all changes, notifications, and
additions. 1t is believed by the board, however,
that in the future but few changes will be
deemed advisable.
Kanmacher & Denig the contractors, have
given to Columbus r. Cummings, one of the
surities on their bond, the power of attorney to
carry on the work, and e. F. Goble, another of
of the sureties, has been appointed general
manager. NOrK was resumed IN september
and was prosecuted with satisfactory diligence
until the cold weather of December came on
large force of stonecutters are now preparing
and brick is accommodating for the early re-
sgmption of work in the spring.
The ananal ronQrt of Adolph Scherrer the
supervising architect filed with the report of
the Commissioners, states THAT the second story
of the buildiiSfgs IS entirefy 49fe. Most Of
tne beams and girders for the
third story floor are in place:
the inside brick walls are brought up one scat
fold, and most of the outside walls are finished
two scaffolds high During the winter months
the workmen have been proceeding with the set
ting of granite, limestone and marble required
for the inside finish of the third story, and with
the setting of the iron beams and Orders. The
contractors are securing means to construct the
cut-stone piers, so as not to cause any delays
next season. The stone-cutters and carvers are
now at work. The mills and planners are in
operation. If able to procure the necessary ma
terial from the quarries, the prospects for the
work of next season are very satisfactory.
''At least onehalf of the building ought to be
enclosed in 1884, Mr. Scherrer says. "and the
other half brought up TO level ready for the
roof"
He suggests to the Commissioners the i'm
portance of procuring materials for the inclos
ure of the building so that there will be no delay
in the work. Up to this time, Mr. Scherrer says,
the contractors have diligently fulfilled their
obligations.
He makes the following estimate for the con-
tinuance of work during 1884 and 1888, contem-
plating the inclosure of the building exclusive
of the dome:
For 1s8l-Mason and cutstone work, $139, 91s
brick work, ST., 62O.5O wrought and cast-iron
work $G3 Gl2; copper lead, and Stating $25, 9949 81
carpenter and joiner work, $32, $40; total, $780,,
9S3.4l.
Expenditures for 1S85-Mason and cut-stone
work. $l43. 598; brick work. $50 2l6-S0; wrought
and cast-iron work; 1913, ga. go copper, lead and
Stating, SIG. 976; carpenter and joiner work, $lS
SD; plastering and stucco work, So, 720 50; gran
ite marble, and thing, $27,6l5.4O drains, sewers,
and plumbing, 81 5l3; steam-heating .apparr....
al2 our vault ucor-,- rz.4,v, lo'a., T523, 696.60
The total amount needed for the Two years. &C
cording to the estimate is $G33, 522. Oh.
John Pendergast, the superintendent of work
for the State. also submits a report of what was