The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-24
SEATTLE, SATURDAY, AUG. 81.
THE STATE CAPITOL.

For many reasons IL is unfortunate that
the capitol commissioners have found 1t
necessary to call again for bids for the
construction of .the new state building.
IT, when the new bids are opened In NO
yember, IL Is found advisable to accept
any one of them. the work cannot be eX-
pected To be commenced until the early
part OF 1896 This would mean the com
pietion of the structure much later than
January, 1895 tho time originally set by
the commission: In fact, 1t is now probable
that the building cannot be made ready to
be turned over to the state much before
1863
This delay In TO be regretted. principally
because the state Is sorely in need of
state capitol. The dog kennel now used
for legislative purposes has long since out
lived its usefulness. 1t Is small, poorly
arranged. badly ventilated and wholly in
adequate to meet the demands of the pres
ent time. IL had been hoped that the Fifth
legislature. which will assemble in Janu-
airy. 1897. would have been able TO use the
new building for its sessions. and that the
majority of the state officers would have
found new quarters provided for them by
the summer OF that year. All these hopes
are completely shattered, however. by the
necessity which has arisen for calling for
new bids from contractors.
Careful calculation has convinced the
commission that the capitol ought to be
built for sum easily within the limit OF
appropriation. Were II TO be built now,
with tho present ruling prices Tor labor
and material. there is no doubt these cal
cuiations would be found 20 be correct
For that reason it is unfortunate that adj
vantage cannot be taken of existing prices
and conditions. for II is difficult to tell
how very considerably present estimates
may be upset By changes brought about
through returning prosperity and uni
versal revival OF building operations.
IL il 70 be hoped there will he more
general competition for tho work. but the
law mas been unfortunately framed In SO
many particulars that there is reason 90
fear reluctance on the part OF contract
orS 70 offer TO undertake the work. The
question OF dlsposing Of the capitol war
rants. based as they are solely upon an
fnGehnitc quantity OF ianu. appears 10 ne
difficult OF solution. Moreover. the bond
required IS excessive and precludcs the
possibility Of very large number Of
builders competing. \ mistake. too. was
probably made In providing that a con
tract should be let for the entire sIruct-
ure. There are very few contractors
financially able to undertake piece 90
work tho cost OF which viii approach a
million dollars. and upon 50 large an nm
dertaklnE tho margin necessarily allowed
viii mako a total which Il is 10 hc feared
Will exceed the ilnllt allowed ny the law.
Had the law authorized the calling for
bids for different parts o. the building.
probably a good many would have hcen
put In and the further progress Of the
work not 50 seriously .nterfcred With. As
It is. the difficulties encountered seem 20
he 81 pcrplexing that the prospect Is far
from encouraging for tho completion OF
tho work in the limo set This IS - Ne
regretted. as the universal opinion IS that
the state needs capitol and needs Il
badly.