The Conway log cabin., 1900-12-04
m. N.w sta.e csoitol.

cNerclScS. W hen the great coh7 course of people had completed the line of march and gathered around l the foundation of the new structure, with barred heads they stood while cy-Gov. James P. Eagle invoked di- vine blessing. Addresses were deliv- cred by Gov. Dan W. Jones, Hon. John D. Kimbell, of Hot Springs, author of the state capitol act; Hon. Greenfield Quarles, of Helena, and Hon. Geo. w. Williams, of Pulaski county. Hon. H. H. Myers, grand master of the Masonic grand lodge of Arkansas, and Gov. Jones wield- ed the trowels in spreading the mortar for the cornerstone, which was swung into position without hitch by means of a derrick.
 The bill providing for the con struction of the new state capitol was introduced in the senate on Feb ruarv g. 1899. On March 20 it passed the senate by vote of l9 to 8. April IA it passed the house by vote of AS to 35, and, within a few hours afterward received the approval of the governor.
 The act provides for a board of state capitol commissioners, to be composed of the governor and six electors of the state, one from each congressional district. The board appointed by the governor consists of the following gentlemen: J. M. I.evesque, of Cross county, Chas. c. Newman, of Jefferson. A. H. Carrigan, of IIempstead, George W. Murphy, of Pulaski, George w. Donaghey, of Faulkner, and R. M. Hancock, of Baxter. The law di- rected that the board should pro- cecd at once to secure suitable plans for building commensurate with the present needs of the state and "for the ages to come"
 It was also authorized to con struct building at a cost not to ex aced $1,0O0, 1000, to-locate it on the oenitcntiary grounds, which occupy prominent hill in the western DOT
 lion of Little Rock, and to remove he penitentiary to some point in Pulaski county to be selected by the pcnitentiary board. Fifty thousand dollars was appropriated and placed at the disposal of the board
 X few months after the adjourn nent of the legislature, work on the foundations were begun and completed about three weeks ago Nearly all the work was done by eonvicts. and represents an expendi ture, if performed by free labor, of over $2Q0,000 The amount actual ly spent was $46,000, leaving bal anee of the appropriation in' the treasury of $4,000. The founda- ton walls are l65x440 feet. They extend to a depthsof 20 feet and are four feet in width at the top.
 The building as designed will be of the Ionic ordcr of architccture with first, second and attic floors basement and endorsement. I; will be 167x437 feet, with large central dome, 2as feet high, and with two smaller and interior domes on either wing The centra dome is to be surmounted by 6 statue of Victory, with four smaller emblematic figures about the base two at each end, and over the front or main entrance, group of six representing Agriculture, Manu factures, Mining. Commerce, Art and Science.
 A broad flight of steps will lead up to the first floor, where will be located the supreme courtroom and justices chambers in one wing, and the governors apartments in the other. The sec ond will be the legislative floor, and the senate and representatives halls are to be either wing
 The attic story is to be devoted to galleries opening upon the cham bcrs, also rooms for the accommo dalton of newspaper men, telegraph and telephone rooms, etc. The su- preme court and state libraries will be located in the rear of either wing, extending up through three stories, a height of sixty feet, with six gal leries reached by convenient stair ways. On the ground or basement floor will be located the general state officers and in the lower base ment the heat and light plants.