New-York tribune., 1895-12-07
PRICE THREE CENTS.
TO FINISH THE CAPITOL
PLANS OUTLINED BY COMMISSIONERS
RUSSELL.
THEY HAVE BEEN ADOPTED By TIE cAPIToLcox
MIssioN-rHE WALLS OF THE TOWER MUST
RE MADE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. or SOME
nE, TILE WORK ALREADY DONE.

MssioN-rHE WALLS OF THE TOWER MUST
BE MADE LIGHTER-cRITIcISM OF SOME
OF THE WORK ALREADY DONE
Albany, Dec c. commissioner Russell OF Syra
cuse. who IS the architect on the commission
appointed to supervise the construction ana CONF
| pletion of the new Capitol. submitted a report
! at the meeting Of the commission heid mere To-
day. The other members present were Lieuten'
ant-Governor Saxton, chairman; SupeTih'ehue"'
! Aldrldge OF the State Department of Pubic
Works and state Engineer Campbell W Adams
The report was adopted, and Capitol Commis-
sioner Perry was directed to prepare plans ior the
completion Of the building in accordance with
the recommendation OF Commissioner Russens
report an abstract Of which follows:
II is the purpose of the Legislature that the COM
pletion OF the Capitol be ACCOMPLISHED al the earle
possible period and that IL shGuld 6e done 90 20 ts a
appropriation for TINS purpos. Dg ncrna-
nentiy erected ard has become an architectural or
structural feature should remain unmolested @ t@ns.
the results OF the efforts Of the distinguished p,P-
fesslonal talent that has thus far been respohslDs
! FOR whatever OF merit or demert their WORK may
| TO mark the periods in the almost iHtormnaDIe ll
not interesting history Of this stupendou5 uayeay
or civic and monumental art, when shan pear t.sti-
| nony long as IL can conveniently stand on us
foundations 20 The patient endurance ana Sei-'i'-
The unfinished parts of the captoI ere sl,ua,sa ts
tower the eastern approach and terraces the eas''
west, norih ara sol III ,orte.'
north and south vostbules corridors western stair
case. and the interior finishing OF various Sta's
official departments. ,.. .. ,r,-
The Commissioner of the new Capitol mas pre-
sented US for approval plan 70: the co:np,ee.on
of the tower This plan, h9s,i upon tne iat9ag ,,ag
that NJ more weight can be added To me iounrassD,
on which the tower, as constructed 70 its present.
twcnty-six fec, IN height OF tie comPe,ed granite
masonry al he top, and from that pGnt M erec"ns =
sheet copper and cast-bronze architectural aa3rn,
maj In wsiV 10
removad thus finishing the tower without addition
OF weight the foundation, and IN ms manner ms3er1
/ attempt 10 consummate AMI satisfy arcnltectlIat
ana aesthetic continent This method OF procedure
may be Of doubtful expedisncy ven,greios an.
liable perhaps, to severe criticism as a cheap and
unsubs,antiai treatment Of the crowrlng feature OF
an imposing mass We extensive and elaborate gran
ite structure. which. when competel, represents ~
expenditure the sum OF some thirty millions %
dollars The Commissioners estimate for ths one
part OF the completion Of the Capitol is upward OK
1t would SEEM then, that Il the adoption OF thi:
plan should be decided as being aazlruous i aho no
doubtful in its results. and that the feeling ior mo
erection and completion OF grand toweS IS I'M
remove entire the present tower 10 its lowest foun,
dacn ard from that point ersef on on Or Driaa h91
| all requirements. This would involve large eX-
pendture, 49,. .,o oso,, ,o,,,d.-
tIons reinforced and broadened 80 that the grand
may be rsc5 ePeei b az TTSr
ton We have obtained in that direction declares 's
IN Proposition Of Telueing the weight and
tsinabie ony by removing certain amount from
stated that R the ,Ss was o of @ the s6%e ass Ss
way? Suppose that two feet be taken from tho
he Was would W still be seven feet in thickness and
OF unquestonei stability and vertical strengtn ano
sSi'tI and soors. This would permit the erection Of a
The Of the entre tower Is now r IN sonsIsa rSYga
unnshed se ~ ,e Thed ns wGrE % the
| These cou:d be replaced with comparatively lgnt
%srS Srs Tsa1@st IN Ts rRSn might
pense in execution but that Is no noVe be prsent ln
temporary S't covering and much Of the masonry
Sf S6e 13s tEwes aS enpsbaa Which sha not
competitive architectural exterior feature ana nnisn
s efor nisne nsng in the parts adjoining This BE-
the only reasonable and consistent % ccgFis is a,,s we
Ing circumstances carry this part OF the "orA on 70
eree.ed res The Of Capitol has
e s @ ssPd deeeTe
sons. moves the destruction from foundation to
facade ~ and the erection Of structure PROJECTING
some thirty feet from the main eastern wa OF tns
upward and finishing with broad sabe. similar in
nh and ar the onpos & G
1t is needless to repeat the opinion Already given
as are to the poeS Of wson to satisfy
caprice Of unsatisiied fancy The eastern facade
talent the State could command az the tine It wa;
built and il must indeed demand a holiness ana
! aelf-suficency acquired only by close STUDY ana
extensive experience. supplementing acHnowedg ~
genius, that would commit the effort or sich taent
| 10 igromnious destruction and oblivion. II may he
suggested that the prominence and presumption
| which have been given TO the design and arrange
| mont OF the stern approach were inspired by the
eynectaon OF some other creation than the present
facade Accepting such suggestion as a fact. wou:d
| IL not be better TO stop at It's completion than 10
assume the needless task of remodeliing. recon-
structing and changing he entire architectural
character and effect OF the Capitol itself?
CaDi' Of has prepared design for the eastern por-
cornplete the connection OF the approach with the
| gInerstructura OF the Capitol. II is commendable
| for rs simplicity and dignity. This portico, with
A proper treatment OF the unfinished cornice and
baiustra le of the intermediate gallery above. would
SEEM under all the circumstances, 10 meet al. the
demands this part Of the work requires.
The plans presented for our approval by the Coin'
missioner Of the Capltoi fer all OF the rera. n.
ing parts OF the work TO be completed by contract
are appropriately designed: the several portlcos
and the Interior fnishings are or comparatively
minor Importance. and present no compeE or exc
traordlnary conditions to excuse hes.tancy or de-
Law; these plans should be approved
The western staircase : OF such nature ana -
50 far advanced toward completion that, without
! doubt Il must be completed By days work. Much
of ecora ton and ornamcntat.on Is yet 10 be done
Continued appropriation Is ;he only requisite to
reach the end.