The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-21
THE VIRGINIA CAPITOL
SOME FdCTs CONNECTLD UIIH I'M
LRECTION or THE BUILDfAG.
The Plans Drawn from - Model Of the
Maison 0uaree Of Nisnes-iiow iho
Public square Wa, Acquired.


are known, appear to be very appropu-
ate.
Strange TO say. 90 connected hist0ri 3D.
/ account OF 10 seems 10 exist. Mr.. JfIef-
son gives the following account OF The
model sent 10y him % tuc directors OF ils
construction.
IL was written TO IN 1,,J Cbcing then IN
Paris. by directors appointed 90 super
intend the building OF "a Capitol in Rich
mOnd, 10 advise them as 10 plan.
thinking IL favorable opportunity OF in-
| PRODUCING into the state an example vi
architecture 10 the classic style OF anti
Qulty, ana the Malson QuAec OF Nlsmcs,
an ancient Roman Temple. being c0nsid-
| cred as The most perfect model eAlslus
| of what may De called cubic architecture,
4 applied 10 81. Clerssaut. who bad
! published drawings OF the antiQlitica ol
/ Nismes, 10 have ne model ot tne hulln-
! ing made in StuccO. only changing tho
order from COrinthian to Ionic on Gee
! count of the difficulty Of COrinthian Cap.-
| tolls. j yielded with reluctance 10 the
| the modern Capitol OF ScamOzzi 10 the
! more noble capital Ct antiquity TO apapb
| the exterior 10 our use, ! drew q plan TOT
! the interior. with the apartments nccea-
| sary for legislative. executive. ana JUDI
| ciary purposes 8ud accommodated them
| in their size and distribution 90 the form
| and dimensions OF the building. lheae
were forwarded 10 the directors 10 I..3.
| some variations not for the better me
| most important OF which, however, ad-
| NIT Of future correction.
no DESCRIPTION OF THE PLAN.
1t IS remarkable that there is no writ
ten or printed description of the plan of
the Capitol To the public archives. oucn
| q description was required or tne oiIfc
tors by the General Assembly. but h i
/ exists il Is unknown 10 those VINO snoAu
/ be its custodian Nor is there 100 these
! archives any statement OF the measure
| mcnts and proportions or me DLiiHili5'
| parts OF history which should be enroll
ed and preserved amongst the records Oh
There is i'm the state Library model IN
! StuccO very handsome, supposed 10 n5
/ the one sent by Mr. Jefferson as no"-i
/ for tho Capitol Of Virginia. lt contains
! no inscriptiOn nor as there any written
! account i'm the Library or Public Archives
/ establishing IT'S identity with tue lIriia
/ sault model. 10 not only diners from tl9
! Capitol. but II differs also Do some par
! tlculars from the description given ~
/ Mr. jefferson, Of the model sent by Nun ~
! the directors. There is however, scarcely
/ rocm 10 doubt that this IS tho CleIlfHa"i1
! model. Tradition and the opinion or l.u.
/ entities 10 most weAht confirm lll- . .'ei'
! PROVIDING FOR ITS ERhCIION.
The acts and proceedings OF lne ~
! Assembly providing FOR the erection e4 tlo
/ GanItol Of the state az Richmond. are
most important, and interesting parts o1
- In The the wear l778. the General Assembly
/ then Sitting I'm the ancient city OF "",
! Uamsburg. apprehendlng an 4ntasiol va
/ the State and an attacN or L'1 f.,,.
! and FOL ether reasons, pIpLl'1" D..
/ Tor the removal of the seat or eoFei HIiiv..
] 80 Iichn,oud and the erection there Oh
/ tho Canital OF the state. For me D~
/ ,ommodation OF all The depai tiN -li'7 U'
the government. six squares q"
! rounded 10y streets, Meif pl If +fe
]
! .i,,, to contain the public bullilhA7 tli.'
/ after 10 be erected ana I'VE me-
/ of distinction were appoll' t.o,rrrflv
/ tors Of Public buildings. 80 iolafe
| the Directors were required ' - a.-
/ tboeo eouarcs on ShOckoe lili "i" t.
/ thcrized fo conform their l0calo+ ~ -'
/ irreerlarities of the ground a., t.r...,-
/ This authority accounts loi ''r- f.,..f.
| lar shane of the square. Ihe luN''. .o
| a., ond near Richmond were oHeil.' ~
a. LA ana the proceeds appropriated
| 80 az ravrnent for these squares anu t'I
| t,,u1froe 70 be erected thereon, Out peli',
/ ,,,hn1i, Inadequate for this purpose anu
! tho finances OF the State being mur" e'-
barrassed. az the instance or mo "ii D.,
I tbev were authorized 10 proNiue ioo''7
| the Capitol for the three dep'i
/ oo,.ornmeut. the original purpose Law
| been to adopt the CaWtoi aio"'
ns. Of the General Assembly
( mis- change OF purpose BOO The use OF
| Tho Capitol necessitated the cons u.'io"
| ~ a basement to- contain the o.i''
/ Gated In IL until the erection OF '.'
| 1 thr.r, building those of the AuoiIu.'
/ second Auditor and Treasurer. IN,o
/ advised departure from lhe ino"0'
greatly impaired the beauty OF 'li'
| ou1 brought much reprOach ON lhe o-i
/ tors. and is one Of the impofl aH'
tions no doubt. alluded TO of Nll' ',,
| som as admitting of correction ana Mili.'
/ 1, eunnosod would be- made without ""
ls,, since These offices have been i'...
/ Oh I'm the Library buildine. the Iel"i" ~
tha model and the unity of design ''N'"
be easily accomplished
THE CONVERSION LAID.
The cornerstone or the O"pl'ol W 49,
On the 18th day OF August l.o'. The zen
sral Assembly met for the first time lh
/ the CAPITOL i'm the City Of Richmond on
the 10Th dav Of October. liSg. the CapiloI
mon being in am unfinished state. ie-
viouelv 10 the 10th Of December. low
e2j 7ei had been appropriated TO build me
| Capitol: and the further sam OF ~ ~
| was considered necessary 90 complete Ut.
Authorizations were made 10y the General
Assembly I'm 1890 and 1892 and nnally' on
the 10th Of December 1925 five thou7aHu
dollars were granted the directors iol
/ the purpose of altering the roof, Whlch
ing the building.
Various and conflicting accounts are
Fiven of the ownership of the grounds
| embraced in the Capitol Square. ana Dee
| fore the separation OF West Virginia. one
/ branch OF the General Assembly for rea-
sons not stated. ON tho ioth day OF March
! 1SN adopted a resolution requesting me
Attorney General TO enquire into the
title by which the State holds the puhhc
grounds of the seat of government ana
procure the original title papers OF
comics thereof and file the same with me
Secretary Of the Commonwealth Tot pre-
eervation. No such original papers or
comics are known or believed 10 have oeen
filed I'm the Office OF the Secretary OF tNe
Commonwealth.
events occurred soon after the adoption
Of this resolution. which. IL is presumed.
prevented the Attorney General from
making the investigation. And WINE
there never was reason 10 doubt the title
Of the Commonwealth, an investigation
would have furnished a series Of authoil-
tative historical facts.
THE TITLES TRANSFERRED.
The General Assembly OF ll9 which
decreed the erection OF the Capitol CONE
posed in a great degree OF men conspic-
nous for their ability and learning knew
well the value Of a clear title 10 the pub
lie grounds and tho grand public elince
which they were about 10 erect; and. ace
cordincly in the act providing for tho
ACQUISITION of these grounds. they
enacted that after valuation the
right and property OF the said owners
and tenants in the said lots or land shall