The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1885-03-11
DECEMBER IL, Issl.
The Granite Proposition

This is q hard subject, and IT will
bear good deal Of pounding ere It is
pounded TO powder. 1t seems very
nearly settled, however, that We are
to have granite instead of Oatmanvllle
lime rock. Already are they exhibit
ing the changes in style and fitting,
which the change in the material
necessitates. The change renders a
sweeping substitution necessary in
every detail of the vast structure. To
start with we are asked to put up
100000. How much more TO pre-
serve the granite rythm throughout is
not given, but it is only tair infer
encc that at least that much more will
be required. Now, we would be will
ling to take 81 100000 and obligate
ourselves to put up house which
would amply supply all the require
ments and fully satisfy the exacting
people of the state. They ease the
proposition little by proposing to
take convict labor in lieu of money.
What does it matter If the state pays
the increased cost in money, or mon
ey's equivalent in any other way. 1t
seems as broad as it is long to us.
The contract to build the state house
out of particular sort of rock has
been accepted. The forfeits are suf.
icient, and il is the business of the
contractors to furnish the material
called for in the specifications
II they cannot find that in suf
ficient quantities, by permission
of the legislature they may substitute
Burnet granite or any other suitable
material, but at their own expense
not at the expense of the state, els,
what is a contract worth The SIMPLE
fact is 1t is all bosh about the failur,
of the Oatmanville quarries. The in
fluences about the syndicate have dc
termincd that there is "gobble" il
sight in this Burnet suggestion, an,
they propose TO toll ii into their net
here is already an enormous prof
in their contract; perhaps seven o
eight millions, and they would ad,
still another million or more to thei
, gains. This is all very well, if tn
people care to enrich the contractor
and the building commission an
further. But they do not. Texa
has other use for her money than t
pile it up in the Golfers Of the Chicag
syndicate or the capitol commission.
The legislature would do yer
foolish thing TO permit this substitu
ton to be made at the expense of tn
state. If these gentlemen wish to fol
felt their contract, and the land
which constitute the consideration
whyt let them do IL, and the state, b
the showing of the commission, ca
go on and complete it for S70O,00C
Would this not be far better? Is no
this the course which a private in
dividual would pursue under III
} circumstances? 1t is none of tn
states business II these Chicag,
gentlemen have put their feet into II
We are not furnishing balm at tn
public expense for bruised and broker
contractors and spectators. Texa
r has something else TO do. Some othe
usa for har nnnav
IL was thought by the reflectin,
last summer that the presentation of
fine horse and buggy to the clerk o
the commission and the liberal dis
tribution of beautifully polishe,
blocks OF Burnet granite mean
something. Some even went so ia
as to name the exact meaning of thcs,
extraordinary actions. II is aston
ishing-. how transparent a mystery
becomes after il is revealcd-all cal
see what it meant now-but the mos
astounding thing connected with II
all is that the legislature is walking
right into the beautifully laid snare
and with It's eyes wide open, at that
If this wickednoss is consummated
there viii be day of reckoning
which will warm the wax in the ears
of the members for the balance of the
term Of their natural lives, and which
will very promptly write fms anent
their political ambitions.
When we elect to use state aid in
the service of struggling business am
bltion let us choose our beneficiarles
outside of Chicago, at lie asst.
what Might he Done.