Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-01-15
WHAT is PROPOSED.

AS YOU are aware, the Board Of VisI-
tors do not propose to rebuild the annex
The immediate connection Of this large
building with the rotunda has always
been considered an architectural mistake,
and the recent fire demonstrated 1t TO
be. from the standpoint of prudence, an
even greater mistake; for IT was In this
building that the fire originated. and had
IL been detached from the rotunda. The
latter would not have been destroyed.
While therefore, tho restoration OF the
rotunda, according to Jefferson's design,
Is not only contemplated, but in actual
progress, II Is deemed In the highest de-
gree desirable that the place OF the annex
should be supplied by separate buildings
separate building for the schools or
law and the law library is a decided
desideratum; but as detached buildings
are thought TO be more of an actual
necessity for certain other schools. and
as IL Is probably mpracticable at the
present time to secure so many indepeDd-
ent buildings, IL Is contemplated by the
Board Of Visitors TO erect new structures.
as follows
One, for a public hall, law lecture
rooms, and lecture-rooms for such aca-
demic classes as cannot be accommo-
dated in the rotunda; another. for the
exclusive use of the schools OF physics,
and still another for the use of the
schools OF civil, mining. and mechanical
engineering.
The efficiency Of the schools OF physics
and engineering. II is believed will be
greatly enhanced by assigning separate
buildings for their use; and the danger
10 any one building from hre originating
in any other will, of course. be obviated
by the general plan Of separating the
different structures. SO far as IL may be
practicable TO do so.
IL should have been said before that
the rotunda and wings will be con-
structed of fire-proof material, and II Is
desired. If possible. TO construct the new
buildings in the same way. This. OF
course, will very greatly increase their
cost
WHAT THE NEEDS ARE.
The cost of restoring the rotunda and
wings, fire-proof, Is placed by the archi-
tects In charge of the work-McDonald
Brothers, of Louisville. Ky.-at $50, CO.,
The cost OF a fire-proof building for public
hall, law, and academic lecture-rooms IL
placed by them at something over $780,
600. The cost of the two buildings for
the schools Of physics and engineering
was estimated by them at $4,000 without
apparatus. But the professors in those
schools while they appreciate the de-
STABILITY OF such buildings as the archi-
tects estimated for. and their necessity to
TO put them fully abreast Of modern
scientific schools. express the opinion that
$4,000 will provide such buildings as are
absolutely necessary. as well as reason
ably adequate apparatus.
Hence, the following statement may be
made OF the cost Of needed buildings, APP
paratus, and books:
Rotunda and wings. $1,000
Main building for public hall, law
and academic lecture-rooms, at
least Observation-Disclosures. .......... lOO,OJ
Building and apparatus for school
of physics. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 5000
Building and apparatus for
schools OF engineering. ............ $500
Books, 10 replace those lost........ 5000
Total .................. ........... 1910. Oct
To meet this. the University has:
From insurance. .......................S S5,oOt
Cash balance Fairweather money,
about ............. ................,,.. 2V.PV
The private subscriptions TO the re-
storation fund amount, so far as
reported. to about sGQ0O0. OF
which only about 5000 has been
paid. IL will not probably be
safe 10 count on collecting more
than rs per cent OF this say. 800
lOldi .ss.ssssssss'. '''''s''''. sNeV''''
Deducting this from the amount above
shown TO be needed, the deficiency Is
$4,000
THEY WILL BE FIRE-PROOF.
The difference between the cost Of con
s,ructlon OF new buildings and the cos
OF constructing those destroyed Is &C
counted for by the fact that the new
buildings will be ire-proof. while tn
old ones were not 80. The Board o
Visitors. Il Is understood are unwilling
10 assume the responsibility OF erecting
the new buildings OF combustible material
unless directed by the Legislature. o