Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1905-01-20
Under Malign Influence.

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he-n under fell lamentations since its
l'"'ndation was laid, which began the
long line Of blunders and mistakes by
being placed foot or two smaller in
length than the contract called for, but
which, like the qusrter-inch on a per.
sons nose, may lead to worry, just as
the cramped quarters in the Repre-.
sentatives' hall makes the proper
proportions that much the more
noticeable and desirable. Then the
change from Chuckanut 10 Tenino
stone, which the contractor had given
bonds to furnish, led to repeated and
humiliating failures in application Of
acids to make the color agree with the
tint of the older building. Then some
OF the acid was spilled upon the large
plate-glass windows and cut in another
stain which had to be removed by q
powerful RESONANT discovered only by
persistent tests. Then work stopped
because the contractor wanted to sub.
stitute wood for iron in the roof tru.ses.
Then it was found that two rooms in
the building had no doors, or indeed
any other sort of openings, for ingress
er-egress. Then, behold! the doors in
the foundation walls had to be en-.
larged to admit the engines and heat.
ing and lighting machinery. Then
there was change OF plan to admit
enough Of the " school" desks for the
membership of the Representatives
hall. Then it was found that the dy-
namo installed was not OF the proper
form OF current, and had TO be ex.
changed at an extra" cost of $500.
And the artesian wells driven spouted
water which corroded all the metal
it came in contact with, and the city
water had to be substituted. And the
archisect and the contractor quarreled
some more, and both put in bills for
outrageous extras, and much worri.
ment was felt over the fact that it
looked as if two years more than con.
tract time for completion (Oct., 1902
would not find the building ready for
the present Legislature and now we
find it with a copper-colored southern
elevation, q streaked white. and.grey
eastern exposure, and the remainder OF
the annex walls several shades lighter
than the Chuckanut walls and growing
daily lighter by air bleaching effects.
Still later, We find that the acoustic
properties in the Representatives bah
are simply horrible.
The genus loci who has placed .
spell upon the members of the lower
house. must belong 10 the band of evil
spirits who have 90 far brought so
much discomfort upon workmen and
material, and blocked progress at each
step. The ~eices Of some Of the mem.
bers who are ethereal in appearance
sound % If they were talking down
rain-barrel," while the articulation of
Others, stalwart and rotund in person,
resemble in tone the twitter OF birds, or
the squeaking Of mice, while still Others
betray by moving lips and swaying
hands that they are trying TO pose 90
statesmen while their efforts are being
literally lost on the lambent air.
As an apt accompaniment to this
chapter Of mishaps, the Olympian re-
ports that dogs made an effort to un-
veil the Rogers monument, q Craven
image supposed to resemble the man
who suggested this abortion OF State.
house, the other night, and had we'll
nigh torn tho sheeting from the block
Of marble. What nexti