The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-22
Shabby State House Steps VIII
Be Rebuilt.
Cost Expected to Be in Neigh
bOrhOod of $4,000.
GOLD LEAF ON DOME.
Thinks 1t Should Compare FaY-
orabIy With Others.
Whole East Wing Also Requires
Attention.

At the next meeting of the execu-
tive council of the state, to be held
March 2s, the plans Of State Architect
Stanton for the reconstruction Of the
north and south steps win be submit
ted. and an advertisement for bids on
this s1O,0Oos job will be authorized.
The council viii also take steps to
make the other state house improve
ments authorized by the last legisla-
ture. These amount to $1,4oo and are
divided as follows:
Painting exterior of all windows
and doors NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. $3.50
Replacing defective and decayed
stools and sashes .............-- 20
No appropriation was made by the
last legislature for painting the roof
and dome of the building. but the
state architect says that this work is
very necessary, and the next legisla-
ture will probably make provision for
it.
It is proposed that the big copper
dome be painted with aluminium paint,
so that instead Of presenting its pres
emit greenish-brown appearance it will
shine like silver.
Il would like to see the dome Gov
cred with gold leaf, like the domes of
some other state capitol buildings
said State Architect Stanton today.
but I'm afraid that the legislature
would take the same view of it that an
old farmer did when it was proposed
that the town put a 500 gilt eagle on
top of the hag-pole. I don't know
what you fellers think about it. he
said. but it is my idee that L would
rather have five golden eagles in my
pocket than one gilt eagle on top of q
7ag-pole.' The state hasn't reached
the gold-leaf stage of ethical culture
yet"
The contract for rebuilding the north
and south approaches to the state
house will be one of the important
contracts auth orized by the last legis-
lature. It involves tearing out a con-
siderable portion of the arches, and re-
placing defective stone.
VIII Take All Summer.
TT will take four or five months to
complete the job said State Architect
Stanton today. It expect work will be
in progress during the summer, and
( that the job will be completed by fall.
It viii be unnecessary to disturb the
big pillars which support the portico,
for they rise from an Independent
foundation, inside Of the defective arch
ways.
THE whole trouble with the arch
ways was in the method of construc-
ton. The material was all right to
start with But the stones in the arch
were not protected from moisture
from above The rain percolated be-
tween the stones, and the freezing and
thaWfng caused the stones in the arch
to crack and break.
/ In recOnStructing the arches we
will use false work underneath. strip
the stones from the top of the arch.
and then take out such stones from
4 the arch as are defective. The stones
viii be replaced with the same sort of
! limestone used in the original con
/ struction. After the arch is completed
/ it will be covered on top with a water
proof mixture of some sort; something
which will keep the water from leak
/ ing through. This will prevent all
4 further trouble with the arches"
Should Reflnish East Win.
/ lone thing which the next legisla ture
to make provision for fixing up that
east wing in the basement and first
/ floor, to correspond with the rest of the
state house. The floors of the corridors
/ need to be replaced, and the doors re-
into the various offices are solid wood
any light into the hall. The doors should
have large windows and the transoms
should be deep and wide. allowing plen-
ridors- With sucn ar arrangement ii
would be unnecessary to keep the cleo
trio lights burning In the corridors al
all hours Of the day