The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-28
OUR NEW STATE HOUSE.
Graphic Description OF Rhode Islands
Capitol by Franklin Ciarhin.
Harneria Weekly.

Harper's Weekly
Newer states and richer, having ten or
twenty or even thirty times Rhode Islands
resources, may indulge their pride in ono
great capitol, superlatively splendid.
But Rhode Island, moved, one Is
ready TO believe, by some tradi-
tionary sense OF her cavalier gem
tility, has hitherto preferred to keep
instead two capitols--one at Newport and
one at Providence-botho OF modest mien,
and most simply liveried in brown. They
are grave and dignified. Like old family
servants, they bear themselves as IL quite
confident that long years OF service had
secured them in that of which no change
IN circumstances could ever deprive them.
1t is true, however, that these capitols
are superannuated. For decade or more
they have been inadequate-not equal to
the requirements OF commonwealth
one OF the smaller cities OF which has
greater population than all Rhode
Island bad when the capitols were
built. Except for the ceremonies
OF Inauguration, and the legislative
MAY sessions" of rather knavish repu-
tation, the one at Newport has not in re-
cent years been used, while at Providence
the various State departments cannot
accommodate themselves to the limited
capacities of the old house in Benefit
street. So in 1892 the voters OF the State au-
thorzed an issue of bonds TO the amount
of 81 100000 that a now capitol might be
erected at Providence, and the old one re-
tired. Out Of many designs the commits
sioners selected at last the one submitted
by Messrs. McKim, Mead q White, of
New York.
Differing in many particulars from the
antique, the style OF work cannot be
called classic. IL represents the French
treatment of the classic, is wrought out
honestly and purely and almost better
than any other state house in the country
satisfies the aesthetic demands OF variety
and unity, without the smallest sacrifice
of character. 1t will be built of white
mar BILE, on a balustraded terrace OF pink
granite, in a park of II acres, on the crest
of one of the seven hills which give vari-
ETY. OF interest TO the City of Providence.
No architectural impression worth
experiencing is TO be had without
aid from the factor of height.
Thus the special fortune OF
this building is that it can crown Capt.
toline Hill Gt ought TO be named) as, less
majesticslly, College Hill on the east is
crowned by the university, and Christian
I'LL on the west by the cathedral. BY it
Providence will achieve noble bit of sky
line, and street vistas even more charm
ing than she has already.
Its dome at its highest point will rise
314 feet above tide water. Not only will
II be visible to every county in the State,
which is not surprising, but to parts OF
Connecticut, and all but the remoter parts
OF Massachusetts. And if, in place of a
final, or sculpture of "Hope" by Mac
monnies, it is finally decided that statue
of Roger Williams must top the dome,
the result will very nearly be that which
Rhode Islanders of generation or two ago
so much desired-which was nothing less
than that the figure of the founder OF
Providence Plantations should be raised
high enough to be seen from Boston State
House! at would be very gratifying to
Bostonians, doubtless, runs the amusing
record in Zachariah Aliens diary, "to be-
hold from afar the exalted statute Of the
man whom their forefathers oppressed,
prosecuted, and banished from their
State"
From end to end the structure will
measure 325 feet; from ground to apex OF
dome. 23i feet. On the first floor il IL
planned to have department offices and
vaults for storage. On the second story,
in one wing, will be the Senate cham ber,
an exact reproduction OF the old Senate
chamber in the Capitol at Washington,
regarded as one OF he best audience rooms
in the world; and in the opposite wing
the hall of Representatives, library, State,
reception, committee and other rooms
will be conveniently connected with each.
Light will come from above TO the halls
OF legislation (architecturally that is) +;
the rotunda will have height OF 140 feet
and diameter Of 55 feet; and one OF the
remarkable effects attained by the ar
rangement of the story will be clear
vista of full 200 feet from the hall of Rep
resentatives through the rotunda and
two statuary halls to the Senate chamber.