The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1889-01-17

had given the work in its prog ressive
stages such careful attention as their
respective duties would permit, a
just confidence was felt in the salts
factory character of the building. The
attention of the incoming board, how
ever, was soon called by the Superin-
tendent and commissioners to defect
in the original plans and specifications
for the dome work, which in their
Judgment would impose weight
upon the building beyond the point of
its safe carrying capacity. AS the
board mode no pretensions to archi-
tectural skill or ability, as a precau-
tionary measure, they determined
that the best interests of the State
could be subserved by calling to
their aid competent advisers
upon whose Judgment and
final decision, in conjunction with
that OF the superintendent and COM
missioners, the people could more
safely rely. Accordingly they secured
the services of Messrs. Clayton, Heiner
and Harrod, who were men of well es-
tablished regulations as experienced
architects and experts. In addi-
ton to the duty of providing
for the alleged trouble con-
nected with the dome, they were COM
missioned and charged to make as
complete and thorough inspection of
the workmanship, plans and specifi-
cations of the entire building as was
possible in its existing state of compile
ton, and by reference to their report
twill be observed that after suggesting
the necessary remedy for the dome
structure, and after thorough exam
ination of the building, they conclude
by saying: cit is our opinion that the
building throughout complies with
the plans, specifications and contracts,
evincing the intelligent and conscien-
tious care of those in charge of the
work, and when completed will serve
as worthy capitol of great State"
In full compliance with every detail
suggested the building was then ad-
vanced to completion, and in May,
1888, the State government occupied
it, and the closing sessions of the
Twentieth Legislature were held in
their appropriate halls. On the goth
of September, 1888, the Capital Com
missioners made their final report, in
which they pronounced the building
completed according to contract and
recommended its acceptance. But as
there were well recognized defects in
the roof, and some other defects were
believed to exist which were consid-
cred departures from the contract, and
the board believing that the State was
to perfect building in every
they declined to receive it
until these matters were more salts
factorily adjusted.
1t is but due the commissioners and
the superintendent to say that they
did not believe that a perfect roof
could be constructed of copper in this
climate on so large an area, because of
the great expansion power of the cop
per, and this opinion was shared by the
as is evidenced by the
records. Their report as to the salts
factory completion of the building was
based upon What they deemed
a perfect compliance with the terms of
the contract on the part of the con-
tractors. TO ohviate the difficulty
and bring the matter to an amicable
and fair settlement, Colonel Abner
Taylor, on the part of the contractors,
that the Capital Board should
select such competent and disinter-
ested architects as they were willing
to entrust with a decision of the mat
tiers in controversy, and he would
stand pledged to make good any and
all defects which might be pointed out
in any part of the work. This propo-
sition was so eminently liberal and
fair that it could not be declined upon
any reasonable grounds appearing to
the board. They therefore commune
Gated with the Supervising Architect
of the United States with a view of
the services of a suitable
person to make the inspection, and as
the Attorney General was called to
Washington on other business, he was
to confer in person with Mr..
Freret, the United States Supervising
and lay the whole matter
before him. The result was the en-
ployment of Mr.. E. G. Miller, Mr..
Freret's assistant. After q thorough
and complete inspection by Mr.. Miller,
and all his recommendation in every
particular had been fully complied
with to his entire satisfaction and
under his personal supervision, and he
the building perfect and
complete, and advised its prompt &C
ceptance, the board was no longer
able.to urge any valid objection against
an acquiescence in the decision. Your
strictest scrutiny is urged and the full
est inspection of all the reports and
everything connected with the build
ing respectfully suggested.