New-York tribune., 1900-04-15
MAJESTIC CAPITOL.
RHODE ISLANDS SPLENDID MARBLE
BUILDING NEAR COMPLETION.

the smallest State i'm the Union in area, and it's
entire population is about equal to that of the
city of Boston, yet this State has nearing COM
petion a State Capitol which is exceeded in cost
by the capitols of few States, and which good
Judges declare is equaed by in archi-
tectural beauty. The State House is ad
mrabIy located being placed upon the crest of
Il hill within half mile of the business centre
of the city, and in the midst of what is to be
fine park, containing seventeen acres. This is an
irregularly shaped tract of land inclOsed by
three wide streets. 1t slopes gently toward the
south, and will lend itself easily to park treat
ment The Capitol is not large as some
State buildings, but is sufficiently large for the
wants of Rhode Island 1t is 332 feet in its ex
tre,ne length and 1872 feet through the central
part of the building. containing the projecting |
Vestibules. The wings 132 feet in width.
The extreme height Of the building, from the
main platform to the top of the statue of Hope
which surmounts the dome. is 233 feet. The
platform is S6 feet above tidewater making the |
top of the structure }21 feet above the water
and rendering the building the most conspicuous
object in Providence.
The building is constructed entirely of white
marble quarried in the State of Georgia. The !
most notable feature of the building, structural |
ly considered, is the fact that its majestic dome
is built entirely of marble. This is the only |
marble dome in the United States, and it is said
that there is only other in the world-that |
which surmounts the famous TAI MahaI. in |
India. Like the Tai Mahal, the Rhode Island
Capitol also has four marble tourees The in |
terror is finished throughout in the same ma !
teral. The stairs. floors, columns arches and
balustrades all of marble. The idea of the
architects-Messrs McKim, Mead & White, of !
New-York-has evidently been to secure both !
beauty and simplicity. They have resisted all
temptation to put parti-coored marble in floors
and interior columns. The decoration of the
building, far carving is concerned. has
nevertheless been rich, yet it is all in harmony
with the main design. The Cornthian columns
either front much more elaborate than
the illustration suggests The feStoonS above
the second story windows shown in the iustra-
ton simulate the fruits of the field. On the
Smith-st. front the of of the State is
beautifully presented in relief.
While the exterior of the building is practical
ly completed barring the approaches. which are
TO consist of stately marble starcases, and the
terraces and balustrades which will surround
the entire structure, there is still considerable
work to be done on the interior before it will be |
ready for complete occupancy. AS is usually
the case in a dome structure, the chief archi-
tectural feature of the interior is a noble ro-
tunda. White marble stairs lead up to the main
platform from either side, from which there is |
the grand sweep aloft for more than one hun
dleu and ntty teet. The casual observer will be |
ignorant of the fact that there is a false dome
inside the main dome and that space of sixty
feet separates the apex of one from the other
by this treatment the staircase hading to the
cupOla is not by the spectator looking aloft |
from the main platform Artists decorating |
the interior in rich tones of blue and gold This
treatment, occasionally relieved by the white
marble columns, presents a magnificent effect. |
The wall decorations to be confined to the |
rotunda. The corridors leading through either |
wing will receive a simpler and office style of |
treatment The office walls the south side |
Of the building Will be painted a soft gray tone |
All the woodwork in the building is Of the finest |
quartered oak.
Views are shown of the Senate and House |
chambers. The walls. columns and ceilings of |
these now almost exclusively pure white |
which makes it rather difficult To secure salts
factory Illustrations. 1t is designed have the |
walls properly toned and decorated. The Senate |
Chamber will have seats for about forty. the |
seven. The House Chamber will have room for |
about one hundred desks. the present House |
consisting of seVenty-tWo members. The furni- |
ture of these chambers will be of oak. There !
IS an ingenious arrangement whereby the ser |
9ea-t at arms of either chamber, by simply |
locking two doors, retain quorum easily |
upon order OF the presiding officer of the house