Daily Kennebec journal., 1897-01-11

to''i.AoAi u yS"A dSO HAS Il years eXpe-
rience at the Capitef as the private
iecretary of GovernoS Bodwell, Marble,
Rurleigh, and Cleaves, had given him
4 most intimate Knowledge of its
luties, and a comprehensive under
tanding of the many changes and i'm
roVementS needed. He entered upon
he office with the energy and the
aithful attention to detail character
site of his whole private and public
ife, with the result that the first year
f his regime has demonstrated his
'minent fitness fQl. the position.
Everywhere now in the big building
here is order, system and neatness,
}erfected precaution for safety, con-
enience and attraetiEeness such as it
las never known before
Throughout the whole building there
as been general and thorough i'm
'rovements during the year. The
lectric lighting System has been
ompletely changed, There is no longer
he confused and dangerous mass of
Tres that formerly filled the dome.
The wires now enter the building in
our sections and the former serious
ianger of fire from that source is now
'utirely removed. The Western Union
and Postal telegraph wires now enter
The building in two cables, instead of
.he former unsafe and unsightly man.
ncr. The lighting system has been ex-
tended and Sc more incandescents are
to he Put at once in the hall of the
tiouSe.
Among the ~ employees of the build
ng there is now system and organiza-
tiun, and each is directly responsible
~ Superintendent Stevens. Each has
ais regular hours on duty and regular
lours off fer meals and the hours are
arranged So that at no time, day or
aight are there less than three en-
3ioyes in the Duiidingl Beginning, this
month, they all Wear neat blue uni
forms with gold buttons and braid
Nhen on duty Ne Smoking is allowed
when they are on duty Each has his
own particular part pf the building to
look after. and own. work to do.
Since Col. Stevens became supeIin-
tcndent the Capitol has not only been
connected with the city fire alarm sys-
TEN, but a local system has been put
in with signals on each of the five
toors. Each day at 10 A. NJ, the big
song is tested. On each floor there is
hose and apparatus to extinguish fire.
md the men are all thoroughly drilled |
to meet the emergency that a fire |
would create. The Capitol fire alarm
system and the men, as firemen, are
all in charge of Elbridge Pedder.
Just to the right of the rotunda a |
pleasant and convenient office has been |
built as headquarters for the superin- |
tendent. In this Office, by the way, |
are fine large portraits of ex-Governors |
and Cleaves and Gov. Powers,
the only pictures of the last two named |
Of these distinguished gentlemen that |
as yet adorn the Capitol. A needed |
that all members Of the |
Senate will appreciate is the large oak
cabinet that is to be built in the cor
ridor, near the Senate chamber, with
locked apartments for each members !
hat, coat, rubbers, etc. The mail car
riers and members of the House are
rejoicing over more cOmmOdiOus
postoffice for which arrangements are
being made. The addition of the large
and thoroughly equipped restaurant
in it's attractive quarters is greatly ap-
preciated by all, and with Caterer L.
B. Viewer in charge there is nothing
more to be desired.
Outside the building, among other
are pipes and facilities
for rs little sprinklers to keep the /
grass green on lawn and terrace, in
stead of the two that vainly tried to
make their presence felt before These
are only a few of the many changes
and improvements that the first year
of Col. Stevens's superintendency has |