The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-09-13

to perform. The old boar
could examine the building an
the receiving board receive it. Tn
l consideration of the roof is proper fo
this board, aud any ether defects that ma
be pointed out. This board may memo
rialize the other beard. l am opposed +
the resolutions, aud move it be laid on tn
table" The motion carried. Yeas-Ros:
Lubbock, Mccall, Hall; nays-Hogg.
Some further discussion followed
in which Mr.. Hail said: &c
1 am willing to call in experts, and if de
fects exist to have them remidied."
Mr.. Hogg called attention to the al
legged omission of heaters in his rooms
and to the veueering of pannels. He ais,
, called attention to charges in the contrac
which he considered not made according Il
law, they believe they are, but say the,
can be assailed where not signed by thu
governor. l understand that this is al
attempted delegation of authority.
An answer to Attorney-general Hogs
General Walker said, II have no intention
to resign: propose to stay here to pro
tect the interest of the state and my rep
utation; but for this 1 would have resign
three weeks ago.
The governor then asked Secretary
Dickinson to read over Attorney general
Hogg's statement which was done.
Governor Ross said: "As 1 understand
the action of the board there Is a disincli-
nation to discharge state officials who have
given bond for the faithful performance
of their duties, and against whom there is
no charge. The state is now where she
was before, and can protest herself now as
we'll as ever. AS member of the board,
| your are well aware that when we sent for
architects there was an invitation from
the board, as the reporters b. re mentioned
at the time, for any man who knew of any
defects in this building to come forward
and put his finger on them. There were
a number of charges wherein the contract
was suspected to have been violated
many of these defects were repaired.
There were other supposed violations,
which General Hardeman alleged, which
only appeared TO be faults because
General Hardeman was looking al
one contract while they were
really according to a supplemental con-
tract. There never has been any DISPOSE
ton by any member of this board to
look at and investigate any complaint
that was made. There were some anony-
nous communications, but where there
has been change from the plaus or de-
fects alleged, they have been promptly
investigated by this board.
you object, general, to the veneering,
but Colonel Myers, the architect, writes
letter saying it is better work than that
he formerly provided for. The testimony
of experts is to the same purport, that
the veneering is better than the solid oaF,
and it is only a matter of difference OF
opinion as to whether it is an injury or
benefit. So these are but matters simply
involving questions of Judgment. aim
to pour oil upon the troubled
waters. don't believe in hasty
action. The commissioners will
never do the s,tate any injustice if
know it. So this board invites all to
come before it. The state is stll safe.
The building is not yet receivel-the
controversy is not closed.
1--WE can refer TO the COL tract to find out
defects, or get somebody to advise Us as
to whether there are mater al deviations
injurious to the state, and we want you,
attorney to act with US and will
pass resolution for that purpose if
necessary, and go every letter of that
contract. We will back you up, and l
think l can speak for every member of
the board when 1 say this. 1 want to
repeat it and place this board on record
as inviting the utmost scrutiny of any
violations of the contract
"At one time, as you know, there were
requests Of citizen for US to send to
other states to bring men here who had
worked on the building to testify before
US. But there was no authority for US to
do this. We had no fluids or power. The
legislature never clothed US with such
authority. But we now extend the invita-
ton to any one to find any material fault
in the building"
General Hogg-"I think it useless to re-
fer now to the building. When you speak
of inviting the public to come here it is
not likely any one but suckers will come
and undertake to prove anything in this
capitol. If you advise the attorney
general to go into court l could only be
the judge as to whether the law had been
violated if had the facts. These COM
munications handed you through General
Hardeman show they are from men who
write we'll and c-itio ally. To undertake
to pick up a mechanic whose daily bread
depends upon employment from con-
tractors, is nonsense. We have proof |
that they will not come, though they |
might have done SO before. If this board |
expects the attorney general to act they |
will please furnish the facts"
Judge Lee-"You say there are charges,
will you announce them over your own
name."
General Hogg-"I am not an expert in
woodwork or masonry. The |
governor has stated that some of the
lintels are broken. The sewerage is not
deep enough, and experts say it is porus
and in conflict with the specifications l |
see panels of veneering taken down
because they are blackened. When l hear
all that and hear this board say the public
are invited to come here and inspect it, 1
don't understand it, and it seems to me
that this board is bucking against buzz
saw. You have men here who are inter-
ested in protecting themselves from suits.
They are in the same boat with the con-
rector and must defend themselves, and
i is only in the courts that their interests
IAN be severed"
Governor Ross--"As you know, there were
many complaints made without iuvi alton
which finally eliminated in examinations"
General Hogg to the DOME"
Governor Ross-"No, the architects cut
nto the walls. Now don't intend to be
DiacEd in the attitude of keiry cham MON |