The record-union., 1892-12-20
CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT.
Something Concerning the New EIec-
trio Light System.
The Secretary of States Reasons for
Substituting Electricity for
Gas Illumination.

In his biennial report to the Governor,
just printed, Secretary OF State Waite
says in relation to some of the improve
nlents made by him as Superintendent Of
the State Capitol:
The Capitol of the State, which cost
more than 100000, has no means Of
ventilation Tor most of the rooms, except
| through fire chimnevs, doors and
| windows. 1t is a regret that its thick
walls had not been provided with venti
lating hues. l have had sanitary en-
gIneers examine the building, to learn
what modern science and skill could do
to remedy the detect The result is un-
satisfactory. Believing, as | do. that bad
ar conduces to bad legislation; that
( healthy blood makes healthy brain, and
that the mental and physical condition of
/ the individual shows itself III his work,
and hnding no adequate means at COM
mand to remedy the vicious atmosphere
OF the halls of legislation, l have sought
10 solve the problem Of ventilation in
/ some degree 10y the substitution OF mean
descent electric lights tor gas.
~ hen 1t is understood that a gas jet
which burns four feet Of gas per hour
consumes as much oxygen as the lungs Of
seven men; when by actual observation
II IS found that the gas Jets OF the Capitol,
though marked TO burn four feet each per
hour, come very near consuming seven
leeJ instead, anu when il Is known that
/ the Assembly chamber contains E27 gas
burners, It IS an easy calculation to arrive
at the startling conclusion that the sub
sututlon OF lncrndescent electric lamps
4 for gas lights IN the chamber is equiva-
lent TO tho removal OF :, 100 men from the
nall IN the effect upon the healthfulness
OF It's breathing atmosphere.
Acting upon these facts, l proceeded
to nave the Capitol wired and supplied
with the best modern inventions to light
all the rooms by electricity.
!. After much study and examination.
the work was given to the General LIec-
trio Company, composed OF the famous
/ Ellison and Thomson custom COmpau-
/ MES combined. The work has been pros
4 Ccuted to completion, and l have the as
surance that it is the masterpiece OF the
/ company. 70 leave nothing neglected, 10
/ insure Il good job, placed the whole ul-
! der the upcrIntendence OF James q.
/ Pearson oil sacramento. The wires and
all the materials and inventions used are
( Of the best ami most modern character
am the work is such that any part OF the
wiring can he removed and supplied
! wiki new without any injury to the
1 building, ana without loss OF time. The
| building Is supplied with 100 mean
/ descent lights Of siXteen-caudle power
each, and the wires and apparatus are
/ calculated to furnish 500 additional lamps
/ when required.
The difficulties, in consequence of
4 massive brick walls and tire-pr0of floors
( to pcrtoratc, were considerable, but were
successfully overcome, and the whole
work has been done at an expense of
about $1,000. The Capitol Of California
IS thus en- rGpPort with the progressive
! spirit OF the age.
The Introduction Of the electric-lght-
ing power called for the working over Of
the chandeliers and brackets of the Capt.
! tol. Al have been reuOdeled Tor a COM
uination OF electric ana gas lights by The
reputable Grm OF Thomas Day Il Co. Of
san Francisco.
In the supreme Court chambers the
Old chandeliers were inelegant and badly
placed. New ones have been substituted
The cheap and clumsy fixture in the
Governors private Office has been re-
placed by one OF rich design. The whole
cost of lemodeling and rebronzing the
fixtures OF the building and new fix lures
does not exceed 81 600.
The project was, for time, entertained
/ of supplying the Capitol with a complete
/ electrical plant. The want Of SPACE in
the basement to place he machinery,
/ but mere than that, the disagreeable buzz
Zing that would result, unpleasant to in
! tellectual workers, decided the question
/ IN some degree There was not Sufii-
cient room, without expensive changes
in the State Printing Office to accommo-
/ date the necessary machinery. To have
recourse to the agricultural Pavilion
would require an independent engineer
and fireman. 1t Was found, as uuess
/ of economy, that the electrical power
could be more cheaply purchased Of the
/ Capital Gas Company than manufact-
/ uring it with an Independent plant. l
/ therefore contracted with that company.
/ verbally, in July last 10 supply the Capt.
| tol with either gas or electricity, as re-
/ quired for Illuminating purposes, at re-
| dnrnl 1.nfnS -