The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1904-02-25

guarantee is given for one. year.
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) Z. c. Brown & Son,
Per T. 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-
lnerous criticisms Of designs. plans and
work with the single exception of the
plumbing.
l had understood, until last week.
that the name Of this witness was H.
H. Hunt, and that he was a govern
ment architect. 'as Committeeman Pat
terson announced in the house, and 7
made diiigent inquiry in Washington
as to identity and standing.
/ In the Limited time at my disposal
since Thursday, l have inquired as to
! 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.
The Washington city directory for
1903 contains his name as contractor
The congressional directory does not
show any such Office as "superintend-
ert 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-
gressional hotel.
Chief clerk, George H. Williams. 210
E. street.
Chief electrical engineer, Christian P.
GLEN, 642 East Capitol street
Clerk, John Welch, 80 North Caro-
lima avenue, S. E.
W. 3. Fitzpatrick wires:
Architect says neither S. S. Hunt
nor H. H. Hunt, superintendent Of con-
struction capitol. Never heard of such
Hunt
]. K. Taylor, the supervising archi-
tect Of the United States government,
wires:
"Ofice 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
vivor) who designed the famous con-
gressiona. library. says that his name
that he neither knows S. S. Hunt as
a builder, contractor or architect, and
that if he had been of prominence in
either capacity, he would have known
him.
Will South Carolinians endorse the
libelous report Of this investigating
committee, confessedly based on the
opinion of this witness, in the face. Of
the opinions Of Nicholas Ittner of At
lanta, j. E. Burgess of Savannah,
Charles F. Mckenzie Of Augusta, J. E.
Parrish of Lynchburg. G. H. Hadlow
Of Jacksonville, and T. 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.. Derham:
Resolved, That when the work on
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 GER
tifcate shall issue.
Columbia, S. c., May %, 1902.
Hon. NJ. 3. McSweeney, Chairman
State House Commission:
Dear Sir-I wish to report that Nc
Twain, Unkefer 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 notifications Of the
same. and are entitled to the final pay
ment.
Frank P. Milburn.
P. S. This report to be filed when
the commission are satisfied with the
work as 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.
Whereupon Mr.. Marshall made the
following motion as substitute:
Resolved, That in the opinion Of this
commission the work done under the
contract to complete the State house
tractors according to the plans, Speci-
fcations and contract, and therefore
the work done is not satisfactory to
the commission.
A roll call having been demanded up
on the question Of the adoption of Mr..
Marshalrs substitute, the substitute
was rejected by vote Of to l. as fol-
lows:
Voting yes-Marshall-1.
Those voting no-McSweeney, Jen-
nings, Mower, Johnson, Wilson, Bel
linger, Derham-7.
CONCLUSION.
have tried to briefly and calmly
show the public the plain facts connect
ed with the State house work, with
out resorting to rant and cheap clap
trap about bamboozling, etc.
l have no desire to conceal anything
from the public and I court the fullest
investigation, feeling sure Of a COM
plete vindication from the cruel at
tack which has been made upon my
character for the first time.
Very respectfully,
Frank P Milburn.
a PREACHER WITH A RECORD.