The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-22


Out OF five bids for the construction of
the new state capitol but two viii be taken
into consideration as complying with the
requirements of the law. and 1t seems
somewhat doubtful II even these are such
as to warrant either being accepted. Ac-
cording 10 Olympia dispatches, deductIng
from the 100000. tho limit placed upon
the cost OF The new building. the amount
already expended and there remains $685.
s3S.S6 for the entire work OF finishing. So
far as can be judged from the figures OF
the new bids published. none OF them come
within the amount OF money sun available
without accepting certain alternatives
What these alternatives are and how ma
terlaIly they affect the completion Of the
work according to the original designs
cannot be determined with the information
that has been made public. Sufficient is
known. however, TO lead to the conclusion
that the competition was not so lively as
might have been wished. In fact. II the
figures published are correct, Heustis and
Barrett are the only bidders coming with
IN the limit, and they on one proposition
only. with their Did. too. IS coupled stIp-
ulation that II the warrants with which
the work IS paid for fall below par, the
tlme consumed in placing the same at
their face value shan be deducted from the
time allowed for the completion OF the
building
This H. all very unsatisfactory II not dis
heartenlng. 1t is now nearly three years
since the original bill authorizing the build
ing OF tho capitol was passed. and there
have been delays and disappontments from
the start. The structure must be paid for
cut OF the proceeds Of sales OF lands grant
"a for the purpose. These lands have not
been all selected as yet. and probably VIII
not be Tor A number OF years Incompe-
tent cruisers Ia the years Immediately fol-
lowing admission 20 the Union picked ont
worthless land. and that which is OF any
value has been hard TO find. To select Land
worth the minin.um price OF $40 an acre
amidst ths thousands OF settlers who have
gone onto unsurveyed tracts. has been a
task surrounded with all manner Of de-
laws ana difficulties. There Is no telling
when Il can al De selected and fair vall-
alton put upon 4 from which O. Judge %
the real worth o; the warrants issued
aga.rs. g. Under these circumstances. Z
may be tina; mistake was made in at
tempting 10 hurry capitol construction.
Possibly e woula have been better Z the
whole matter had been postponed. and TAX
en- u7 only when the state had something
Of real tangible value as a capitol fund. and
could have gone ahead without the present
uncertainty as % the value or i;s capitol
lsnas and free from speculation as % TIE
r-ohlcna:cal WORTH % IS capitol war.
rants
Rlame Tor this unfortunate condition %
srafrs can hardly be placed on anybody's
shoulders. II is merely the outcoue %
fortuitous circumstances. The capitol law
as originally drawn was crude and cum
bersorae. filled with unusual conditions
and unnecessary requirements. The com
mission has acted under it. however. ard
10 douht would have finished their work.
lad not the question OF money er.har-
raised them. Crookedness oS architects
and their ofFicial friends resulted in furth-
er delays. A splendid plan was adopted
by the comm szion. satisfactory - every
boty except the disappointed architects
and those IN partnership with them. bat
nobody is eager % build according 10 the
accepted designs because q the uncertain
character % the pay. The credit q the
state cannot in any way be pledged %
take VI TIE capitol warrants They must
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