The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1888-09-27
THE NEW CAPITOL.
Meeting of the Board Yesterday
TO Consider the Middle.
Last and Final Report of the
Commissioners-A Fair Prop
osition From the
Contractor.

The Capitol board held a meeting
yesterday at IL o'clock with Governor
Ross, Treasurer Lubbock, Comptroller
Mccall, Land Commissioners Hall and
Attorney-genersl Hogg present.
Col. Abner Taylor, General Walker, and
Commissioners Lee and McLaurin were
also present.
Governor Ross asked if the secretary
had any communications to read when the
following report, the last and final one of
| the capitol commissioners was read.
OFFICE OF CAPITOL COMMISSIONERS,
AUSTIN, Tex, September 20, 1883.
To His Excelency, L. S. Ross, Governor OF Texas
Sir-In obedience to the law creating
this commission requiring printed re-
port and history of our work and pro
ceedings to be furnished to the next regu-
lar ses sion of the Legislature, we res Eect-
fully submit the following report,
prepared from the records
of this Office by the secre-
tary, believing the same to be correct
history of oar official acts since the publ
cation of our last report made to your
excellency at the called session of the
Twentieth Legislature.
of our labors, to strictly comply with the
requirements of the law, and this and our
former reports, together with the capitol
building as erected and completed, we
think fully attest the fact that
the requirements of the law
have been complied with, and
effort on the part of this commission has
ben wanting to present any essential
omission either in its general design or
construction which would add to its ex-
cellency.
The general results in some few in
stances have not been as satisfactory to
US as we desired, owing to imperfections
in the original plans and specifications,
which we were unable to have corrected,
as your excellency is well aware of the
difficulty we had in having any alterations
made from the original plans.
The history of the building will show
that we had but S1,500,000 as an available
fund for its erection aud mpletion. We
now present the state of Texas a state
house in magnitude, stability, convenience
and elegance of finish not excelled by any
state capitol in the United States
containing many of the most useful,
modern appliances aud coAveniences
known to the building art, and one
which, by the records of this commission,
cost in material and labor alone, $3,744,-
$1,000.
A building in size and accommodations
ample to supply the necessary demands
of every department of the state
government, executive, legislative
and judicial, containing 264 apart
mt nE \. nb
is designed for occupancy, being arranged
to be thoroughly heated, lighted aud
ventilated.
With this report our connection with
the capitol construction ceases. We will
have discharged, by its publication, the
only remaining duty imposed upon us
by the law and the contract, but,ipasmuch
as you may desire some time to examine
the building, We stand ready to aid you
in any matter, connected with our former
duties as commissioners, that you may
deem expedient.
The history and the result of oar labors
are respectfully submitted to your ex-
cellency and through you to the people of
Texas, and their posterity for a fair and
impartial Judgment. Respectfully,
JOSEPH LEE,
NJ. H. McLAUR1N,
Capitol Building Commissioners.
The following letter from Colonel
Taylor was also received:
AUSTIN, Tex, September 20, 1888.
To his BxcelleRcy Gov L. s. Ross. Chairman of
the Capitol Board:
Sir-Being DESTROYS of arriving at an
early and satisfactory settlement Of my
contract with the state for the eonstruc-
ton of the state capitol building, deem
it would not be out of place for me to
offer the following suggestions:
l believe that l have erected for the
state the best and most complete capitol
building in America, and that the work
and material in it are first-class in every
res pect, and that it has been constructed
in accordance with the contract; there.
fore, in order to satisfy every objection
and satisfy every person connected with
the building that l am correct in my
estimate of il, l would be very glad If
the board would have competent experts
to make thorough examination of the
building, and, in order TO defray the
expenses of such experts, am willing to
deposit with the state treasurer a suffi.
cient amount of money for that purpose
if such an arrangement is deemed ad-
yisable and is acceptable to the board.
Very respectfully yours,
ABNER TAYLOR.
Auorney-general Hogg moved that the
board adjourn, but it was not seconded.
Mr.. Hall moved that the report OF the
commissioners be received, but subse-
quently withdrew it upon suggestion of
Attorney general Hogg.
Judge Lee made brief but forcible
speech, giving his construction of the law
and explaining the report of the com
missloners. He also took occasion to
severely criticlse General Hogg and used
some very caQstic language while doing
so.
Attorney-general Hogg replied with
equal vigor, and again suggested that the
board adjourn.
Col Taylor said he hoped the board
would not adjourned until he could say
something. He had nothing to do with
private quarres of the state officers and
it seemed to him that the board certainly
ought to take some action to settle with
him. All he wanted was square honora-
BILE dealing.
The board certainly had the ability to
treat of business proposition in bust
ness way. He was not pressing a settle
ment Had not askad for lnDd oart;6