The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1911-04-01
they could get streams playing tn.
flames were racing toward the state


they could get streams playing til,
Flames were racing toward the state
library.
Most Costly Public Building.
More money was spent on the con-
struction of the state capitol at Albany
than on any other public building in
America. 1t was estimated when it's
construction was authorized by the leg
islature in 1863 that the building as
planned would cost $4,000 900. AS the
Sept. 80, last, the total amount expend-
cd had been nearly $4,000 900, and the
original plans had not been carried
out.
100000 Volumes In Library.
State Commissioner of Education An
drew S. Draper stated today the state
library contained 100000 volumes, 400
600 pamphlets and 100000 historical
manuscripts. Two years ago Com
missioner Draper transferred from the
state library proper to the safe in his
office on the first floor the original
emancipation proclamation, the origi-
nal of Washington's farewell address,
the original manuscript OF the state
constitution and fifteen or twenty of
the other priceless manuscripts. as
VOL as all the Washington relics.
These all have been removed from the
building to a place of safety since the
fire started.
Commissioner Draper said that most
OF the manuscripts that have been lost
were original documents and cannot
he replaced. The early Dutch records
were lost. or the books on the state
library shelves which can be dupli-
Gated in the open market today. such
duplication would cost. according to
Commissioner Draper S1,500,000. hut
he says the value Of the other books
and manuscripts, because of their be-
ing raritics. is priceless. Commission
CT Draper estimated that the loss of
documents and equipment of the state
library which could ne replaced was in
the ncighborhood OF S2.000,00O. He
has arranged to carry on the work Of
his department in the state normal
school
Next to the financial loss tho chief
effect of the fire will be inevitable de-
lay in the machinery of state govern
mcnt. Although the senate chamber
stands practically untouched and a
few thousand dollars can restore the
meeting place of the lower house. a
Legislative business can proceed in its
accustomed channels.
Both houses met in tho city hall
across short stretch of park from the
capitol building, the senate in tho
council chamber and the assembly in
the county court room. where the Joint
session also was held The burned
out department forces found tcmpor,
nry quarters where the could.
No Insurance Carried.
The state carried no Insurance. as
the capitol building had been regarded
rs fireproof. 1t was, in fact, not the
building that burned, but It's contents
i The fourth floor space in the west end
did nearly four times the service il
was originally intended for
Most precious, from tho historian s
standpoint. of the fuel the flames
found in their path were the % manu-
script folioS Of the famous official REQ,
Ords of the governors of the City OF
| New Amsterdam, covering a period
I from 1890 to 1874. These were in
course OF translation. The transla.
tions were burned with the original
Dutch documents.
In addition to these the state lost
the correspondence of Governor Geo
| Clinton. 5000 pieces In all, and the
original letters Of Sir William johnson
and Governor Daniel D.. 7'ompklns.