Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-03-14

ural unit Of the State-established by
law. To divide that unit into otner
units is entirely different proposition.
Mr.. HESELTON: Will the senator
from Lincoln give the name OF the con-
tractor or architect whom he is quot
ing?
Mr.. CLARKE: The information was
obtained from architects in Portland
whom l shall quote later on, who claim
to have knowledge of the fact.
Mr.. HESELTON: Is the senator
from Lincoln reading from an editorial
of some Portland paper or from some
authority which gives these estimates?
Mr.. CLARKE: l am reading from
neither. l am reading from the official
descriptions of the building, taken
from the Inland Architect and News
Record.
The following official description of
the building is taken from the Inland
Architect and News Record under date
of October. 1903:
Description of Building.
This Capital building at Jackson,
Miss. emphasizes the advent of pros.
South. and its educational mission will
be far-reaching in its salutary effects
upon future buildings throughout the
Southern states.
The foundations are of cement con-
crete. on the concrete rests the bias"
stones of Georgia granite. and up from
the granite base rears the graceful
porticoS. colonnades and dOmeS to
height of 135 feet, carried out in the
Renaissance style with bright gray
Bedford stone from the noted old
Hoosier quarry.
The cost of the building, including
steam heating plant. power plant, fur
nture. electric and gas light fixtures
architects fees and other expenses
was S1,O93,G41. Wells Brothers Co. of
Chicago We're the general contractors
The design ard arrangement of this
Capital building was carried out by
the architect to furnish accommOda-
tons Of due dignity and convenience
for the Legislative. executive and :u-
dicial branches of the state govern
ment. The building was designed to
give architectural prominence and ex-
preston to this trinity of objects and
functions. To provide q building that
would meet these requirements and be
we'll lighted and aired from the eXter-
ior, the plan must be on the order of
wings and pavilions. The simpler and
more direct design and elegance Of pro-
| portion arc preserved a capital of all
buildings. should be strikingly massive,
grand. noble-typifying the power, hon
or. stability and superiority of the
government over all individuals. cor
porate or other institutions whatsoey-
| er in the state.
] In this design the legislative halls
are admirably placed on the same floor,
we'll separated. and at the same time
in easy communication with each other
when necessary. The principal COM
mittee rooms Of the two houses are
also convenient to each other.
| The chief executive or governors
| offices are located in the center paviI-
ion just off the rotunda, while the su-
| preme court is on the floor below. oc-
cupying the pavilion beneath the Sem
ate chamber. we'll and quietly separat-
ed from the legislative neighborhooJ
The library which is very large and
needs ample accommodations. is sym-
metrically located at the opposite end
OF the same floor. All the rooms
throughout the building are lighted
by outside windows, and very little sl,v
! hight or floor light will be needed other
than the proper dome illumination Of
| the legislative halls.
the rotunda is simple. brbad and eff
| lectiVe, and is distinctly the natural
center OF departure from all parts Of
Tie building. connecting Herewith by.
ulrcct and handsome corridors which
give fine vistas through the building
private corridors to committee rooms
nave been provided
| On the whole the design presents III.
true triple scheme for a Capitol build
ing, with the Senate and House Of
! either end and the Executive in tho
! center
The general scheme of decorations
| and finish of the interior has been
worked out in keeping with the quiet
| dignity Of the exterior. OF fireproof
| construction, steel skeleton type. with
cement concrete arches sprung between
the steel beams, on which rests and
hides all that which is SO necessary to
the safety of building, are the rich
marbles. mosaicS and Communications.
The main vestibulc is built entirely
Of blue Vermont marble on a base of
| black Belgian. The main rotunda is of
Italian marble with trimmings of let
black marble and frezes and columns
OF scagliola. leading the eye 10 the lofty
dome OF pure white in ornamental stuc-
CO work. This dome is supported at four
points on massive piers with rich mar
bic inches. designed as receptacles for
statuary. developing into massive free
| columns in the second story to the
frieZe line of the dome. The treatment
| of main corridors on this floor leading
to the east and west wings is a contin-
II a A-sJ