The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-03-30
BY Associated Press.

Albany. N. z, March 2s-Fire-
swept, smoke-stained and water
drenched. New York states magnif-
cent $4,000. 900 capitol stands tonight
q partial wreck by flames that started
IN the assembly library, burned away
the entire west wing and done damage
estimated at s5.000.eo0 before the fire
was under control. after raging more
than six hours.
The IRE is still smouldering tonight
IN the state library reading room. and
water Is pouring in from seven lines
Of hose The work of repair has
already begun, while a hundred ma
tional guardsmen stand guard over the
deserted corridors tonight and fifty
policemen patrol the streets outside to
protect the dismantled end of tho
building.
Next to the financial loss the chief
effect will be the inevitable delay in
the machinery of the state government.
a week or more may intervene before
the legislative business can proceed
and In regular channels. There is
talk tonight of q recess, and only the
constitutional requirement of taking a
daily ballot until a United States sem
ator is chosen keeps the legislators
here.
Today both houses met in the city
hall and the burned out department
forces found temporary quarters.
ORIGIN OF FIRE.
It is believed the fire was started by
fused electric push button hscominE'
electriaed It was discovered by a
night waxchulan and the atar1zl WAS
sounded at 2s46 o'clock. Before the
drenen reached the massive structure.
priceless document, books and records
stored IN the assembly library hal
Abeen destroyed and other departments
1yere threatened. The imitation oak
fceiIing Of the assembly chamber, COM
4osed OF papier mache, was partially
destroyed, as was also the famous mil
lion dollar staircase in the west wing.
On the third floor, where the flames
gained their start, the departments
wholly or partially destroyed by fire or
seriously damaged by water We're:
The state library, containing 100000
volumes, among them the most valu
able genealogical works in the Unit
ed States, together with relics, price
less documents. some of them dating
back to 1776 and irreplaceable.
The assembly and senate Libraries.
stored with thousands of volumes of
law and code books, also a number of
documents and manuscripts that can
never be replaced.
The finance committee room, in
which were stored drafts of all the ap-
preparation and other bills of the pres
ent session.
The chamber of the president pro
tenn Of the senate.
The lieutenant governors room, bad
Is damaged but not wrecked.
The senate and assembly chambers
are soaked with water that has ruined
their rich furnishings and the papier
mache ceiling OF the latter is hanging
in struggling shreds of half dissolved
p4per. This ceiling, with its handsome
adornment, is said to have cost a
great sum and, was one of the show
sights OF the capitol.
On the fourth floor in the west wing
the wrecked offices are:
Court of claims, in which many i'm
portant legal documents were on file.
The bin draughting department.
The bureau of weights and measures.
The state regents rooms.
The state prison commission.
The state educational department,
containing many valuable books of
scientific and historical interest.
On the second floor the damaged
rooms are:
The attorney generals Office.
The state excise department
On the first floor the damaged de-