The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1904-02-24

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That the public may fully understand
this matter, I. wish to call attention to
the fact, that when called to this work
found a partially completed building,
much valuable stone and marble on
! hand, and an appropriation wholly and
admittedly insufficient to complete the
building as originally designed. When
made the plans, it was to utilize all
the very expensive columns then, lying
on the ground, and considered fit for
use, that largely induced me to pro-
vide for two inner columns on the front
portico. 1t turned out with this work,
as is generally the case in remodeling
old, or partially completed buildings,
that many notifications and changes
became necessary, and were made with
the consent and approval of the COM
mission, as rule Col. Marshall being
the only one dissenting. In hoisting
these massive columns into position,
one Of them broke by its own weight
when being lremoVed from its position
ion the ground. An examination set
tied beyond question that there was q
defect in the stone, which then showed
an old crack about two thirds Of the
wny through. 1t was generally be-
lieved and conceded that the loss fell
uEon the State. The matter was
IepOl lSU. WIS VI Tie
ion, and am still, that it was then best
to omit the two inner columns, because
there would be more floor space, be-
cause the architectural features would
be just as good, because with slight
changes (omitting a wood truss and
substituting steel trussed perlins) the
strength Of the structure would not
be impaired in the least; because it
would save much time In completing
the work, and because 1t would save
rather than cost the State anything.
The contractors offered to furnish
new column for $4,000, necessitating
several months delay; or, piece the
broken column for $500, causing a de-
lay Of one month, or change the plans
ard omit the two columns, causing no
delay, and deduct from the contract
price $500, which it was shown by an
itenlized statement would be saved to
the contractors by the change. With
all this information before the COM
mission, after full consideration, it de-
cided, by vote of to 3, to change
the original plan and omit the two
columns, thus saving to the State $500,
without detrment to. the work, and
giving these columns to the State for
monumental purposes.
Mr.. Hunt talks about "the stone lin
tel and brick work on top Of these coll
urnns." The specifications never called
for any such thing And yet this will
ing witness, unable to condemn the
srfficiency of the "bracing and anchor
ing" goes out Of his way to suggest
carelessness in "a great portion Of the
construction throughout this building"
Again, this government witness
says the two massive square pillars.
under the portico now perform no
duty at ALL" Any sane person can see
for himself that these piers, originally
constructed principally to support the
two inner columns, since the change
support much of the portico. And it
was to get such a witness that the in
vestigating committee passed over so
many southern architects and con-
fractions of known ability and integ-
rity. ~,
Fifth. That the new leaf work on
the capitals Is not as fine as the old.
It being impracticable to get the
stone for this new work from the old
quarry, stone was selected which
matched it exactly. and the same ac-
cepted with the bid Of the contractors,
the only slight difference, and which
is not appreciahle, in the work on the
capitals, is due to the fact that the
Pncolet granite is trille softer and
therefore not SUSCEPTIBLE to quite SO
high finish.
Sixth. That Intel stones should ex-
tend from columns at the rear Of the
portico to corresponding front columns,
where there are sheet iron boxes paint
ed to resemble granite.
That Is just according to the plans
and specifications, first-clasS galvan-
lied iron being used, which was as
COED rs could be afforded with the ap-
Topration, and answers every pur-
pose.
In reference to the glass floor which,
leaks in rainy weather, beg to say it
does leak, and regret it,. in my eff
fort to give all the light possible to
the offices and passageways below, I
selected this style Of floor light, which
Is suitable for the place. Unfortunately
there is but little fall, and yet gave
it. all | possibly could to connect with
the granite work and the height OF the
second floor doorway entering the lob
by. This is no fault Of mine;
| i: is one Of the troubles en-
countered in remodeling or adding to
a building. The chief trouble, how
ever, with the Dortico floor Is that
TO accommodate the Legislature, 1t was
laid just before the meeting OF that
body and was walked on and abused
rial set sufficiently The natural con-
sequence was that 1t was damaged and
still presents, Il bad appearance. An
inspection of the rear portico floor
which was not so used and abused, will
! Hubstantiate this contention. --
AS to the ceiling Of the portico. I do
not know Of any material more suit
able for such ceilings. 1t is made from
The same class of material that was
removed BY the contractors from the
main lobby, although not the same de-
sign. | wonder if the gentlemen Of the
Investigating committee know that the
oOrtico ceiling in the main entrance
70 the United States capitol at Wash
|. .ington was common plastering, and
that leaks from the roof caused some
of 1t to fall.
Seventh. That the roof is tar and
gravel" roof. unsuitable. and leaks
badly.
II is not tar and gravel roof, but
| IS OF the very finest quality Of asphalt
and crushed quartz, and there Is no
doubt about its answering the purpose
! for at least ten years. is the roof con-
| tractors gave 4 guarantee for ten years
against leaks and material Wear and
! tear This same class Of roofing is on
the following buildings in the city OF
Washington, d. c.:
| Atlantic Coast Line office building,
Southern Railway office building. Iowa
department house Raleigh hotel. Bliss
department house. United States Cen
sus building, government printing
tt,.,I m