The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-02-26

Ma, ,..1 .5,..t. =. =. >. 60, -.
pense, in the neighborhood of $4,000.
had Il splendid steel ceiling in the main
lobby, which the contractors took
and converted TO their own use, where
by the State lost in the neighborhood
OF $1,000.
The plans and specifications required
the contractors TO cut Il circular open
ing into the ceiling for the inner dome.
When the ceiling was cut, and il was
thoroughly examined, it was found to
be galvanized iron, in a bad condition
and difficult to work into shape, eS-
pccially as it contained ceiling lights
no longer of use. The contractors said
II would require special worlmen and
considerable loss Of time TO patch it
Up, and would not then be as satis-
factory as new ceiling, which could
be gotten in less time, and enable them
TO be ready for the meeting of the
Legislature. although the new ceiling
would cost them more. After full in
vestigation Of all the facts and con-
ditionS, l decided that il was 10
the interest of the State to accept the
proposed change. and L approved the
ceiling they used, which harmOHizcs
perfectly with the design of the cell
ing under the balcony around the main
lobby, which was placed there under
Mr.. Niernsee's supervision. As both
ceilings are in the same lobby and are
seen 1T the same time, harmony is es-
Stltlal. NtlJncr the COfllcp nor cove
mouldingS In this lobby were intcrfered
with, but the new ceiling was used only
in the field or body of the ceiling
through which the dome is cut The
contractors thought they ought 10 have
extra for this new ceiling, but | would
not allow il, and the State got the
new ceilings without cost.
This item shows the fearful mistake
the Investigating committee made I'm
not examining further into the real
facts instead of giving so much weight
TO that minority report. They would
have the public believe that ii was a
steel ceiling" costing in the neighbor-
hood of $4,000. when the records in the
secretary of states Office show that all
the ceilings ana corniccS. steel beams,
and skylights in the rotunda, or main
lobby. and The ceiling over the senate
lobby together, cost only $I,S9S. on the
2d of May. 1852. Any we'll informed
man will know that the cornicc actual
ly cost much more than the ceiling
The public must in charity put this
blundcr of the committee down 10
neglect and ignorance, or convict them
OF deliberate misrepresentation in
making the statement that ION this
item the State lost in the neighbor
hood of $4,000"
Let the public guess why MIR. Hunt
advanced the idea that the contractors
removed this ceiling that they might
! ublSt lIlto IOSltlOll iNt ldtSc steel hON
girders that support tile dome. The
fact is, these heavy steel beams and
girdcrs We're raised from the outside
wall and not through the main lobby.
/ But not content with trying to arouse
public Indignation over the alleged loss
/ 10 the State, they attempt to injme
character by charging that "thc con-
I tractors bodily took and carried away
and converted Ia their own use this
/ valuable ana beautiful part of the old
! building" The cold fact is, and they
either knew il, or could have learned il
/ by reasonable. fair and Impartial in
qury, that this old ceiling that was
| removed from the rotund~ lobby was
never sold or used by the o.% tors,
but was given to Mr. Garrunke, ii he
would remove ii from the grounds
ana lie In turn gave il 10 DR. Babcock
on the same condition. and this val
uable aud beautiful" this splendid
steel ceiling now lies in a rubbish
heap i'll the back yard of the State lu
matte asylum. n silent but unimpeach-
able witness Of the outrageous libel
which this investigating committee has
/ spread upon the records of the legisla
| ture.
Fourth, That by the omission Of two