The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-01-22

not less than $500. 0C0. More than three-fourtbs
Of this work could be completed within the
next two years if funds were available.
1t, therefore, follows that. as the law stands,
the board take no further steps toward
letting contracts until the year 1899 and then
only a small contract that can be paid out Of
the appropriation for that year, and unless
otherwise provided, the work will stand as il
IS, with nothing done towards completion for
the ensuing two years, which means a lapse Of
FULLY ten years from the present time before
the building can be finished ready for use.
Economy shows itself in every direction if
no unreasonable delay shall occur, and large
saving OF ultimate cost is apparent to our
board If we can take advantage Of present con-
ditions.
No private citizen constructs buildings in
the hating, dilatory and wasteful way that
these pubic buildings are usually handled.
We should be glad to make an exception of
this one, and to push it forward to completion
and early occupancy, believing that the best
interests Of the state are in line with our
wishes, but the existing provisions Of the act
are inelastic and inadequate for the prODer
prosecution Of the work
The board feels in duty bound to present to
you the following considerations:
The building is needed for use at an earlier
date than the above
First-Because Of. the unsafe building at
present occupied for q state capitol, the val.
liable records, documents and Libraries of the
various state departments, and Of the state
historical society, and the battle flags Of Min
nesota regiments-thOse priceless relics of
the war-are all now exposed to imminent
danger of loss by fire
On this head we call attention to the follow
ing letters from prominent architects explain
ing the insecurity Of the present capitol
Our Investigations lead US to believe that
should funds be provided so that construction
may go on at once, the saving to the state
Will not be less than $500 coo. If the state
mas ample amounts of money not needed for
current expenses now deposited in banks
with which to do the work it would seem
to be serious omission Of duty not to make
THIS saving for the DpDnla
1t is also proper for us to state that while
the plans adopted are based on very care
full estimates indicating that the capitol
can be built within the amount limited by
the act OF 1888, no architect board can be
held responsible for the construction within
such limits or, indeed, within any special
limits unless contracts be let for large Dor
tons Of the work at q time and the construc-
ton be pushed along in the usual business
parties engaged in building. No one can tell
what the prices of material and labor will
De three, SIX or ten years hence If they
advance ten per cent, or twenty per cent
the building will cost that much more than
if built now.
The board having carefully performed its
duty up to this point. desires now to perform
an equally imperative duty in calling atten-
t1cn to these facts and making plain the state
ment that II not authorized to push this work
in a business-like manner to speedy conclu-
sion, the responsibility for any excess Of
cost that may result will rest with the law
making power-the only authority which can
decide that question. Respectfully
Claiming Seabury
H w. LambertOn
Geo. A. Du Toit
&C. II. Graves.
f. q. Corss.
John De Laittre
Commissioners.