The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1890-12-18

and to light up tn, dome and The
grounds, 1T will be necessary only to
have such additional wiring done az
may be required for the purpose. and
attach to the wires, as they are now
arranged, another dynamo, engine and
boiler OF like capacity as those now in
use.
The electric plant has been in oper-
alton nearly one year, and gives salts,
iaction 10 all respects, and has demon
strated that it is much cheaner for
the state to furnish her own light than
to supply it by contract.
In response to the advertisements
OF the board inviting proposals to sup
ply the Capitol with light by contract
only two proposals were made, one Nv
the Austin Gaslight and Coal COM
pany, the other By the Austin Water,
Light and Power company.
The proposition OF the gaslight
company was not satisfactory, because
it was believed the capacity of their
plant was not sufficient to supply the
required light.
The Austin Water, Light and Power
company made the following propo-
sition:
ave herein propose furnishing the
current for lighting the capitol build
ing at the rate of nine CO.. mills per
hour for 16 candle power mean
descent lamp, the state to furnish the
convertors and our company to furnish
the meters"
This proposal was not accepted, b.
cause in the opinion of the board the
light for the capitol could be furnished
at less cost.
At the above rate of 9 mills per hour
for each 16.candle power lamp, sup
posing that light would be furnished
Tor ten hours each night, the cost to
the State per mouth for $50 16-randle
power lamps would be $l755. Having
her own plant in position the cost tc
the State per month for running $50
l6-candle power lamps ten hours each
night is as follows, viz:
For extra coal (allowing pounds
per nourl ......................$2 34 on
For extra fireman ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 80 90
For oil and waste Recommendations. 20 60
Total cost per month. 294 40
Or about l mills per hour for 10
candle power incandescent lamp, as
against 9 mills per hour proposed by
the Water, Light and Power company,
a difference in favor Of the state in
one year largely more than sufficient
to pay the entire cost of the plant.
Fixtures suitable for the building
are expensiv and, as before stated,
the two halls of the legislature only
have been supplied.
The other fixtures throughout the
capitol are of the cheapest temporary
character.
ARTEsIAN WELL.
After arranging for substantial
fence around the capitol grounds and
providing for wiring the building and
for fixtures as far as possible, and to
purchase IN electric plant, the next
most important work on the line OF
improving the grounds was, in the es
timation of the board, to provide for
an adj quate supply of water for heat
ing the bull ing, running the dynamo
and elevator, and for the protection of
the trees, shrubbery, and grass on the
grounds.
Facts from many sources were pre-
scented to the board showing the water
might be had by digging an artesian
we'll.
SO fully was the board convinced OF
the importance and feasibility of this
plan that proposals were invited for
digging an artesian we'll in the capitol
grounds.
The rates offered by the bidders were
so high that the board, after investi-
CATION, concluded it was cheaper to
buy well boring outfit and dig the
well than to have it dug by contract.
In pursuance OF this conclusion a we'll
outfit was purchased and experienced
men employed to conduct the work.
The result has proven the wisdom of
this plan.
nine .. $3.50 10
For salary of well engineers . 1,l52 80
For labor. ............ 1884 43
tools ,'o,',,,,.................. 1852 70
For telegraphing ........... 1j.45
Total S. SOP 81
~ coal for steam. ................. 1900 90
Total cost. $9,702 81
After completing the work the
State had on hand in machln-
cry, tools, pipe and derrick.... $4,722 IS
Leaving net cost of we l........ $4,979 50
For the above expenditure two wells
have been dug, one 1850 feet and the
other 1860 feet deep, which furnish
supply of water sufficient for all pres
ent requirements in and around the
building, and for irrigating the capitol
grounds.
The water is now being used, and
since the stream from the artesian
we'll has been connected with the
building the expense of purchasing
water from the city water company
has ceased.
The amount paid to the city water
company last year for water for the
o,n;tol huildinp and hoiler-hollse was