The log cabin Democrat., 1907-02-14
D0NACHEY RE|TERATES CHARGES
 OF STATE CAPITOL CRAFT
Conway Man Delivers Sensational Address Before a
 Body of Legislators at Little Rock
Caldwell Drake Have Failed to Comply Any Part of Their Contract in
 Construction of the Capital.

| or eaCn ClaSS. But the only two kinds of stone figured on were Bedford and Batesville; that from Batesville was to be A grade mar ble. made my bid on my own form, specifying that would use Bedford stone.
 The majority of the state capi- tol commissioners had visited Mis- sissippi's new state capitol, built of Bedford stone, and expressed them selves delighted with it. l in- ferred from what commissioners said to me that because Batesville stone was owned by a man who lived in St. Joseph, Mo-, and that because the capitol architect also lived there, it was doubtful wheth- CT they would use Batesville stone. Certainly they told me'that because of these facts Batesville stone should not have preference over Bedford stone. But as soon as the bids were opened, and before the con- tract was awarded, as now shown on the record, they passed reso- lution favoring Batesville stone. At the time the capitol contract was let 1 asked the owner of the Batesville stone for a bid on 1t. That bid was so high that I could not use il, and I therefore did not bid on it. Then after the bids were opened and I saw that they were going to let the contract to Caldwell & Drake, giving as a reason, because that firm had bid on Batesville stone, asked the commissioners to give me few days time so that I could see where I could get quarry out of which 1 could secure the A grade marble near Batesville that was not owned by the Pfeifer Stone Co.,. :, and that I would then file bid on the use of it.
 "Caldwell & Drake also used the reinforced expanded metal system of hreproohng' in their bid, which has cheapened the cost of the capitol building many thousands of dollars, to that which the plans called for, and I asked the con- missioners to defer letting the con- tract on this bid of reinforced ex- banded metal system of freproof- ing until I could see what it was and figure on the same plane of equality with Caldwell & Drake. This was denied and the contract was then awarded to Caldwell & Drake on their highest bid of Se47, ,S46.o their lowest bid be- ing $50, 900. co less than this one"
 Senator Carlock then asked MT Donaghey: Where does Bedford stone come from"
 "It comes from Indiana" re- sponded MT. Donaghey, "and the best grade of it is better stone than the stone now being used in the upper stories of our capitol" " At this point Speaker of the House Hamiter addressed MT. Donaghey as "Mr. Speaker, and MT. Donaghey recognized him. MT. Hamiter said MT. Dona- ghey, I have known you since the time you were building Hendrix College fifteen years ago, where l went to school. I believe you are capable of discussing the subject you have in hand. I believe you are honest. I am your friend. voted for tabling the motion for the appropriation of the $500, ,ooo bill here at our last session for this building. l want these contract ors to finish this building for wha, they have contracted to do 1t for, and I will never vote for another cent for additional work or pay for them. Don't you think we ought to have state building?" asked Mir. Hamiter.
 Certainly" replied MT. Dona- ghey.
 Do you believe that it can be built for the contract price?" asked . MT. Hamiter.
 "I believe 1t could have been SC built, but do not think the pres ent contractors will ever complete it for the price they took it for, '' , replied MT. Donaghey.
 Don't you think that we can force them under their bond tc