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

The copper and tile roof on the GOV
ernment building in Augusta leaked
! from time to time and gave the officers
considerable trouble.
Respectfully
(SigneD r.. G. Brown Il SON.
Per 7. c. Brown.
General Contractors, Augusta, Ga.
THE GOVERNMENT EXPERT.
No doubt the public is curious to
know something more OF Mr.. Hunt,
upon whom the committee seems con-
tent to rest for the support of its nu-
merous criticisms of designs. plans and
work, with the single exception of the
plumbing.
! had understood, until last week.
that the name OF this witness was H.
Fl. Hunt. and that he was a govern
ment architect, as Committeeman Pat
terson announced in the house. and |
made diligent inquiry in Washington
as to identity and standing.
In the limited time at my disposal
since Thursday. | have inquired as 10
the work position. etc. of Mr.. S. S.
Hunt. resulting in the following in
formation:
Before going to Washington. Mr..
Hunt enjoyed the reputation Of being
a good mechanic.
Inc was tllS NlItCtOlS i'I
1903 contains his name as q contractor.
The congressional directory does not
show any such Office as "superintend-
ent of constructing of the United States
capitol." The last congressional direc-
tory shows as connected with the Office
superintendent of the capitol:
Superintendent, Elliott Woods, Con-
grcssional hotel.
Chief clerk. George Fl. Williams, 2lO
=. street.
Chief electrical engineer, Christian P.
Gilem, 642 East Capitol street.
Clerk, John Welch, 80 North Caro-
lima avenue. S. Z.
w. b. Fitzpatrick wires:
"Architect says neither S. S. Hunt
nor H. II. Hunt, superintendent of con-
struction capitol. Never heard of such
Hunt
j. *. Taylor. the supervising archi-
tcct OF the United States government,
wires:
office has no knowledge of S. S.
Hunt in connection with any Of its
work.
Paul ]. Pelz of Washington. one Of
the three architects (and the only sur
viro1) who designed the famous con-
gressiOnal library. says that his name
is not in the government Blue l'cok:
that he neither knows S. S. Hunt as
a builder. contractor or architect. and
that if he had been OF prominGn'e in
either capacity. he would have Known
him.
VIII South CarolinianS endorse the
libeluus report of this investigating
committee, cOnfcsSedly based on the
opinion of this witness, in the face OF
the opinions of Nicholas Ittner of At
lanta. j. l.. Burgess Of Savannah,
Charles +. Mckenzie of Augusta, j. T..
Parrish Of Lynchburg, G. II. Hadlow
of Jacksonville. and r.. c. Brown OF
Augusta?
The following extracts from the rec
ords of the Capitol commission will no
doubt prove interesting to the public:
Upon motion of Mr.. Derhaln:
"Resolved. That when the work on
the State house is finished, prior TO
accepting the same, the architect shall
notify the governor, who shall call
the commission together. who with
the architect shall inspect the work,
and if the same is satisfactory the cer-
tificate shall issue"
Columbia. s. c., May %. 1902.
Hon. NJ b. McSwceney, Chairman
State House Commission:
Dear Sir--I wish to report that Nc
Twain. Cnkcfer Co.. contractors, have
completed the work as outlined by me
on the State house. That is. the spir-
it, intent and meaning Of the plans,
specifications and mOdifiCa tons Of the
same and are entitled to the final pay
mcnt.
Frank T. Milburn.
P. S. This report to be filed when
the commission are satisfied with the
work rs done.
"Resolved, That it appears to the
commission for the completion Of the
state house that the work is satiSfac-
tory and that the contract has been
substantially performed.
Whcrcupon Mr.. Marshall made the
following motion as n substitute:
Resolved. That in the opinion Of this
commission the work done under the
contract To complete the State house
mas not been performed by the con-
tractors according to the plans. spcci-
iicalinna and contract. and therefore
the work done Is not satisfactory to
the commission
\ roll call having been demanded up
on the question Of the adoption of Mr..
Marshall'S substitute. the substitute
was rejected by Il vote of : 10 |. as fol-
lows:
Voting yes-Marshall-1.
Those voting nO-McSwceney, Jen-
ningS, Mower. Johnson, Wilson, Bel
Iingcr. Dcrham--1.
CONCLUSION.
I have tried to briefly and calmly
show the public the plain facts connect
ed with the State house work. with
out rrsorting To rant and cheap clap
trap about bamboozlinr. etc.
! have no desire to conceal anything
from the public and | court the fullest
investigation. feeling sure OF IL COM
.Dlete vindication from the cruel at
Jack which has been made upon my
character for the first time.
Very respectfully.
Frank p Milburn..
4 PREACHER WITH 4 RECORD.