The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-04-22
HARRISBURG LETTER
The Passage Of the Walton Bill
Gives a Chance to Architects.
INTEREST ON STATE DEPOSITS
The Bill Which Has Passed the House
to That End Is Held UP in the Sem
ate-Far,ners support the Hamilton
D..l rptrU

to That End Is Held UP In the Sem
ate-Fariners support the Hamilton
Road Bill.
Especial Correspondence
Harrisburg, April 20.--The passage Of
the Walton capitol bill in the house, by
a vote of 149 to 80, was the chief feat
ure of the last session, This measure
was pretty thoroughly discussed and
various amendments offered before it
was permitted to become a law. Among
the changes suggested was one to limit
the total cost to s100O,00o; another to
allow four weeks instead Of two in
which to bid on plans for the new
structure, and still another to provide
for a light and heat plant. The tenn
per of the house, however, was against
any change, and the bill as originally
framed went through 1t has since
been approved by the governor, and is
now a law.
Recognizing the necessity for haste
in the matter Of perfecting plans for
the new structure, the new capitol
building commission met Professor
Laird. the architectural adviser of the
body, few days ago, and went over
the preliminaries of the building opera
tions. 1t Is their ambition to secure
the best results it is possible to accom-
plish, in order that the building to be
erected may be in keeping with the re-
quirements of the state in every way,
and in point of architecture be a credit
to Pennsylvania. Every safeguard is
being provided for to secure the rights
Of competitors at every point, and it is
thought that competition will be made
attractive to all the best architects.
The commissioners seem desirous of
offering to the architectural profession
such conditions as will bring into COM
petition architects Of the highest stand
Ing, and in this way secure to the
state the best possible service in a
fair and equitable competition. A pro-
gram will be issued in pamphlet form,
which will set forth the terms on which
the competition is to be conducted,
and all architects who so desire may
file their requests for information con-
cerning the competition with State
Treasurer B. ]. Haywood, secretary of
the commission, at Harrisburg. This
will specify in detail the requirements
of the various state departments
| and the general conditions that
may influence or govern the in
vestigation Of the problem. Stipula-
tions will also be contained concerning
the manner of judging the drawings,
the scale and maner Of rendering, and
the time and place at which they are
to be delivered.
An Opportunity for Architects.
Provisions are made that drawings
submitted in competition are to be
passed upon by board Of disinterested
experts. These will select a limited
number of the best designs, and then
the architect will be appointed by the
commissioners. The identity of the
competitor will not be taken into ac-
count in passing Judgment on the vari-
Gus designs, and it will be made q
special feature to insure results upon
the merits of the designs in competi-
tion. This program will also contain
map of the grounds, showing the
different structures as they are located
at present, the contour of the surface
various views of the hill and it's build
ings, and in this way furnish competi-
tors with all the information necessary
to thorough understanding of the
problem.
AS the extreme urgency requires ar
early beginning of the work of erection
1t is decided that the drawings to be
offered in competition are to be re-
ceived not later than July IL, and nc
extension of time whatever will be al.
lowed. The unprejudiced competition
seems to have awakened a spirit Of
great ambition among the differen
architects to compete for the prize
which they consider awaits the sue
cessful competitor. The great import
ance of the state of Pennsylvania will
be mark of special distinction to th'
member of the profession who Is sue
cessful in having his design adopted.
There is, as well, very considerable
interest developing among the promi
nent builders of the country who pro
pose to compete In the bids for tn
construction of the new building
Many of the largest contractors hav
visited the ruins, and have been get
ting all the information it Is possibl
to obtain.
the Pennsylvania Editorial association
defeated some time ago and subsequent
ly reconsidered, was called up a fey
days ago and a series of amendment
presented which practically makes
new bill and eliminates the most oh
jectionable features.
The bill as amended PASSED secon
reading. In it's present shape it pre-
vides that in all criminal prosecution
for libel the truth may be given in ev
dence to the jury, and If it shall ar
pear that the matter charged as i
| belous is substantially true, and wa
published with good motives and fC
justifiable ends, the defendant shall
: acquitted, and the jury shall have I'll
: right to determine the law and tn
facts. 1t also provides that in no cas-
can the defendant in any prosecl
tion for libel be indicted for the prin
ing or publication of the same libel L
the same individual in more than OF
l county in the state, and in trials of IL
dictment for libel the common"7ealt
shall be at liberty to stand asi,e ju
/, ors. The title has been changed
read, "An act relating to crimin
] libel"
r Farmers Urge Hamilton Road Bill
One of the remarkable features of Il
session is the rapid change of sent