The record-union., 1892-06-23
CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTS.
Those Completed, and Others That
Are Contemplated,
A Mile Of Splendid Cement Sidewalk
The Stone Steps-wIdening
Of Terraces.


ture an appropriation of SIS, 400 was made
for the purpose Of constructing granite
post-and- chain fence around the Capitol
Park; for laying a concrete or artificial
stone pavement, and for curbing the
sidewalk.
The work is now about completed and
it has cost somewhat less than Sic, 600
that is. about $500 has been saved on the
original estimate The work done is a
great improvement and protection to the
grounds, and is Of the most permanent
and substantial character.
The new pavement and fence extends
from Eleventh to Fifteenth streets, thence
from L to n, and along n to Eleventh,
joining with the old pavement and fence,
and completely surrounding and inclos-
ing the Capitol grounds of twenty-six
acres. The pavement is now the longest
and most complete boulevard of the kind
III the State, and continues without in
terruption a distance of about one mile.
The post-and-chain fence produces a
very graceful and artistic effect, while it
is OF the most permanent description.
The posts are about sixteen inches square
at the base, and are set in solid concrete
They are capped with heavy iron cast
ings, fixed to pivots drilled into the stone,
to which three-eighths glazed chain is
attached. The posts are set at intervals of
sixteen feet, and number in all something
over two hundred.
The Legislature of 1889 appropriated
ST., $50 for the completion of ten flights of
granite steps along the different APP
proaches TO the Capitol. this amount hav-
ing been estimated sufficient for the pur-
pose.
The entire sum, however, was ex-
pended upon four flights of steps, and the
preparation of some OF the material for
the others-that is to say. about one-half
the work called for by the amount appro-
priated was done.
The last Legislature made an appro-
priation OF $1,000 to complete the work,
but when bids were advertised for it was
found that the work to be completed
would require an expenditure of IS, 900,
or $4,000 more than was provided by the
appropriation. Hence the steps cannot
be completed until sufficient money is
forthcoming.
The lack of this $1,000 to complete the
steps proves peculiarly unfortunate now,
as it prevents the completion of the
walks.
There is an appropriation which would
enable the Capital Commissioners to pro-
coed in laying the concrete walks con-
templated, from the Capitol to Twelfth
street, but it is deemed not advisable or
practicable to lay these walks until the
heavy flights of steps are completed and
placed.
1t seems there is an appropriation suf-
fcient to put IN three flights of the granite
steps-at the northeast, southeast and
southwest apprOaches-and this work is
being advanced.
Secretary of State Waite called the at
tention of RECoRD-UNIoN reporter yes
terday to certain changes in the walks
which he has NlpW and which will
evidently add greatly both to the beauty
of the grounds and convenience of pedes-
TRANS.
Speaking of the present arrangement
If the walks, with relation to the ap-
proaches to the Capitol from the L and
N-street entrances, Mr.. Waite said the
driveways there are even narrower than
some OF the walks, and no provision has
been made Tor pedestrians, who in an
preaching these entrances, must follow
the drivewayss Several accidents have
occurred to people on these drives from
passing vehicles, and a number have mar
rowly escaped injury.
To remedy this serious inconvenience,
Mr.. Waite says it is intended to widen
she terraces at each side of both driyeways
enough to permit of paved walks for
pedestrians, thus leaving the driveways
exclusively 10 vehicles and horsemen.
This is most excellent suggestion, and
q greatly needed improvement.
In addition TO these changes, several of
the indirect and useless walks below the
terraces are to be obliterated and sown to
grass, as they are SO laid out as to add
neither convenience or beauty to the
grounds, and merely mar what is other
wise pleasing eXpanse of lawn.
number of these graveled walks are
seldom used, and the labor required in
keeping them in order and their edges
trimmed has hitherto added considerably
to the expense of the gardening and care
of the grounds.
Mr.. Waite says that when the improve
ments mentioned have been made the ex-
pense Of keeping the grounds in proper
repair Will have been reduced to its min
imum, and will be general saving of
more than good interest on the money
required to be expended. He hopes that
the next Legislature will provide tor the
work so nearly and satisfactorily com
pleted.
Last year the granite substructure of
the Capitol was thoroughly cleaned on it's
outward surface, the entire area of stone
gone over with an acid preparation that
did the work very effectually.
Bids for the work were advertised for
but the lowest one submitted called for
an expenditure of over SO, 900, which was
considered unreasonable Mr.. Waite
succeeded in getting the work done for
about s., 600, and to-day, after a lapse of a
year, it presents very bright and clean
exterior, although in places there are
spots of iron stain. In some cases the
stain seems to have come from the gran
lite blocks themselves, while in others it
IS the rust that works its way to the sur
face of the stone from bolts and clamps
which hold some of the abutments in
place.
Besides the iron stain considerable
cement had exuded from various inter
stices of the structure, which had hard
ened and marred the exterior of the build
ing.
Mr.. Waite has manifested great interest
and untiring zeal and industry in his
supervision of the building and grounds.