Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-22

under the contract Under the superyisiou of the
architect and building superintendent work was
oelng pushee vigorously and with fair prospects
of completion by January l. 1884 whom on No
Yember 8, 1888, occarred the unforeseen disaster
~ the south wing Said wing was inclosed at
the time, the interior walls, iron work and roof
beng in position. Most of the interior work
above the basement walls, with the roof and a
portion OF the south exterior wall came down
with a sudden crash, carrying with it the forty
workuen employed on the build no at the time
OF these forty men, five were killed instantly and
eighteen wounded, One of the wounded after
several Months of suffering, died of his INJURIES
Being absent at Bayfield, on official business at
the time OF the accident, telegraphed the secre-
tary OF state to see that every proper provision
as made for the care Of killed and wounded.
This was done and has been continued under nv
direction, and the expense, amounting to IS f7409
has been paid through the Office of the superin-
tendent of public procerty.
Perhap in strictDess, this expenditure was be-
yond the law. These men thus injured we've
laboring mea. They were at work upon tue
capitol of the state when disaster, swift and I'M
expected, canle upon them. In the circumstances
felt that 1t l dld less the people of Wisconsin
would not justify me On the occurrence of the
accident, all work on the extensions stopped A
committee of experts consisting of James R.
F. Struck, OF Minneapolis, architects; and God
frey Ludwig, of Cincinnati master mechanic
was called by order of the building commission
erS and asked TO investigate the matter and re-
port as 20 the cause of the accident, Which Cuty
the committee OF experts performed submitting
their rep TT IN writing, and recommended some
changes IN the original details as necessary 60
properly strengthen the buildings Without I'M
necessary delay, the work of rebuilding was be-
gun, and Mr., W; W: Boyington architect, of
Chicago, engaged, with Instructions from the
commissioners TO direct such changes in the re-
construction as he deemed necessary for the
security and safety of the almost COMPLETED north
wing, as well as the south extension.
Pursuant to these Instructions Mr. Boylngton
directed that other and heavier iron columns be
substituted for those provided for in the contract
to extend from the basement walls to the roof
instead of from the brick piers on the second
floor; that additional columns be put in, and iron
w TX of increased strength. All without changing
the plan, which had been drawn with especiai
ref renee to the convenience and wants of the
supreme court state library and hStol zeal socie-
ty, and hid been adopted after consultation with
and upon the recommendation of the judges of
the supreme court an officers of the historical
society. Thus the extensions have been COM
pleted and accepted by the commissioners. They
are pronounced by Mr.. Boyington TO be abundant
~ safe and are practically fire-proof. The cost
OF labor and material in making the alterations
directed by Mr.. Boyington, in excess of what the
same woul have been if dom under the CON
tract, is aScertained to be S11 1859 95 which amount
baS been audited by the building commissioners,
and recommend that an appropriation be made
at an early date for the payment of the same
EXPOSITION.
In accordance with the laws of the United
States, the president appointed Hon. E. D. He-
ton, of Milwaukee, commissioner, and Hon j. M
Smith, OF Green Bay, alternate commissioner for
the state of Wisconsin to the World's Industrial
and Cotton Centennial Exposition at New Orleans,
C 'mmencing December 49, 1884. These gentle
men have had charge of collecting, preparing
and displaying exhibit of the resources and
products OF Wisconsin, and they have faithfully
and efficiently performed this work. Congress
declared that this exposition should be national
and international in its character, and appropri-
ated large sum of money to aid in the celebra-
ton. Five thousand dollars was set apart to each
state to encourage and assist them in MAXIM q
full and complete exhibition Of all the arts, man
ufactures and products Of the soil and mine with
in the state
There being no session of the legislature in this
state and no provision of law affording funds for
the purpose the commissioners raised sum of
money by subscription sufficient for the immedi-
ate needs of the undertaking This sta'e, in the
exposition, will stand the test of comparisons
with all the other states of the Union and will be
proud Of its success and greatly benefited by the
spread of knowledge concerning its resources and
the value of its products. As the benefit is to the
Ell tire state, so should the expense be borne by
the people. / would, therefore, recommend that
q sufficient sum be appropriated to defray the
disbursements OF the commission, including the
repayment of the amounts subscribed.
BANKS AND BANKING.
The business of banking is one essentially de-
pendent upon the confidence of the people, and
depositors, but which happily seldom occur
Whether safeguards may be lawfully adopted to
further secure those depositing with state and
private banks from loss, is subject worthy of
your consideration.
Thus. in discharge of the duty laid upon me by
the cOnsti fution, have brought briefly to your
attention those matters of which the public in
terest seems o demand especial mention; and l
you in every effort to promote the welfare of the
state and to meet the just expectations of the
people. whose servants we all are
JEREMIAH NJ. RUsK
Executive Chamber,
Madison, Wis, January IA, 1885.