The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1897-09-09

building the author OF one OF the eight
designs reported by the board OF ex-
perts as exhibiting the best talent. To
do otherwise would. In my Judgment.
be an act Of bad faith on the part of
the commissioners and the common
wealth represented by them. Third.
that the commissioners possess the
power. after the selection of such archi-
tect. TO require him to make such re-
vision and alterations Of the design he
submitted as will meet the views Of
the commissioners and bring 1t within
the Appropriation made by the act of
assembly"
Certain Schemfn9 Commissioners.
An editorial in the Philadelphia Press
Of last Friday explains the situation in
a nutshell:
THE capitol commission failed again
yesterday to select an architect, though
every favorable condition was present
for doing so under the agreement made
by the commission itself when II be-
| came bound. as did all the competing
architects, to submit to the selection
OF one Of the eight presented by the ex-
perts.
THE situation with respect to this
matter seems to be much misunder-
stood, due in large degree to the fact
. that the important sessions Of the COM
mission have been held in secret. and
much misinformation has been given
out by interested parties. 1t has become
very apparent to all who have kept a
close watch Of the matter that some
of the commissioners are determined
that the agreement entered into shall
be broken by those who are acting for
the commonwealth and that an archi-
tect shall be selected as a pure matter
of favoritism and in accordance with
the conditions made, and binding upon
all parties, to insure entire impartiality
In the choice. This Is something that
public opinion Is not likely to tolerate
THE commission has unfortunately
and inexcusably allowed itself to be
delayed in its work by the unprofes-
sional action of certain architects who
have by their course revealed the fact
that they are not among the successful
eight. How they got information Of
their failure can be easily explained by
some Of the commissioners, who have
for some time shown a settled purpose
to make a choice Of some favorite In
violation Of their own agreement and
program under which plans were In
vited. This Is one of the unfortunate
results Of the secret meetings Of the
commission. The public ought to be
put In possession OF all the facts.
Attorney General Mccormick has
thrown much light on the matter and
rendered valuable public service by
his plain Interpretation Of the terms of
the agreement which all are bound in
honor to respect-the competing archi-
the commission. The attempt to undo
this agreement to permit selection by
favoritism-for that, in plain terms, Is
what IL intended-is nothing less than
disgraceful. 1t much reflects upon ths
state which thus lightly repudiates its
contracts.
THE complete facts In this matter
cannot be much longer withheld and
obscured. Every meeting OF the COM
mission serves still further to reveal
the hidden and unjustifiable purpose
Of some Of its members, and they must
expect to be held to full responsible
ity."
Lawsuits in Sight.
II the commissioners for the building
OF the new capitol. who take orders
from Senator Quay, persist in their
course Of determining to employ
contractor and an architect favor by
the machine. the result will be no end
of litigation, trouble and expense for
the commonwealth. The commission
ers are under solemn agreement to
treat all competing architects fairly,
and II they discriminate In favor Of
Senator Quays friends or anybody
else every architect will institute suit.
and an endless course Of litigation and
injunction will follow, with the result
that no new capitol will be seen for
years to come.
This Is the scandal that Is surround
Ing the building commission at this
time. 1t happily may be averted. 1t
ought to be, II the interests Of the peo-
pie are consulted. II the present diuy-
dallying system about adopting plans
and delaying action in the interests OF
one man. or set OF men, is persisted In
the people will know just where to
place the blame. for the statements az
set forth above are founded upon fact.