Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1905-02-08
Madison, Feb. l.

A capitol presenting strikingly beau
tiful imposing lines externally and
said by those familiar with the inter
Tor details to be wonderfully complete
Iol the varied purposes required of a
state house is certainly represented
in the design of Cass Gilbert of New
York, which formally has been decid-
ed by the capitol commission as the
most meritorious of the three plans
submitted
The proposed structure is purely
classic in style The glorio lines of
the present dome are carefully re-
tained-no loyal Wisconsin citizen
would or could sanction any other!-
and the scheme of construction is so
devised that the edifice may be built,
one complete section at a time. the
whole united at the final stage, in such
a way that there need be no interfer-
ence whatever with the routine of
business in the present building while
the separate sections are going UP.
The DONE is many feet higher than
the old one. to comport with the pro-
jected building which, in a general
way, may be said to cover about twice
the area Of the building now on the
site. In fact, the proposed structure,
which is designed to have its main
front squarely facing Monona avenue,
that is, not set diagonally in the
uark like the present capitol but in
the center with the four fronts paral-
lei with the four surrounding streets
will extend to point even beyond the
fountain, its imposing steps reaching
nearly to the park entrance. AS the
park contains an area of some IA
acres, there would remain of lawn to
suitably set off the structure upwards
of 10 acres, or about two-thirds of the
entire space.
The building completed would cost
some 100000, though estimates run
as high as 100000 900, much depending
upon both the material used and the
interior finish In the commissions
report submitted to both houses of the
legislature last evening no suggestion
is made regarding these details.
Those are matters for future determi-
nation.
Nor does the commission discuss in
ternal arrangements, yet it is under
stood that there is planned a great ro-
tunda in the center; grand stair
case near by; straight corridor ex-
tending through on the first floor in
one division from end to end, the
stairway interrupting the vista in the
other; several glass covered light
wells by means of which every state
office would be illumined both from
the inner and outer sides; legislative
chambers located generally as in the
building before the fire; two elevators,
from top to bottom, one opening in
the basement upon carriage drive,
through which fuel also may be hauled
directly into the coal vaults; the exec
utive offices relatively in the same
corner as now, with the secretary of
states and attorney generals and the
others, grouped as near by as may be;
the supreme court and library in the
opposite end up stairs, and plenty of
committee rooms on the same floor.
A new capitol may be built just as
fast as the legislature desires, but it is
assumed that the best and wisest
scheme of construction might entail,
an expenditure of some 100000 or
100000 a year. thus extending build
ing operations over term of perhaps
eight or ten years, and the time for
raising the necessary funds cores
pondingly. The plan of course con
templates the ultimate and gradual
razing completely of the present state
house.
COMMISSIONS REPORT.
In its report to the Legislature the
commission deals only with the meth
DDS pursued in the selection of plans,
and goes into this subject exhaustive
ly, the absolute fairness displayed be-
ing Clearly apparent. First the law
Of 1862 creating The commission is
quoted, and the commission. after
careful consideration. conclrded that
the act contemplated important exter-
nal additions to the present building.
not merely internal changes and so it
set about to employ consulting
architect to study the problem and to
prepare a so-calIed program for the
completion" setting forth the nature
Of the building desired. floor space
wanted, and all such details as are
necessary to enable the competing
architects to understand the character
of the desired structure. This work
was well forwarded when the capital
fire occurred February %, 1904. thus
changing the phases of the problem
very materially. The commission
studied the law thoroughly under
which it was acting and concluded 10
incorporate in the program a request
for floor plans. not only Of the addi-