The Elbert County tribune., 1914-01-02

into history. caus-
ed an en- tire
change in the architectural lines Of
the dome. Originally 1t was planned
that the dome should follow a semi
sllipsoidal curve. which architects say
gives greater appearance of majesty
and stability.
The change In the design of the old
dome, or rather the replacing Of this
dome of wood covered with copper
with a dome of cast iron. was author
lied by congress in 1856. The design
Of the new dome was prepared by
Thomas u. Walker. architect. and con-
sisted of an actagonal stylobate or
base, which was to be supported by
walls of the old dome. on which was
placed a peristyle. 124 feet In diam
eter. composed OF columns 81 feet in
height.
The entablature of the peristyle was
to be 1877 feet above the basement floor
and was to be surmounted by an at
tic A feet high and 10S feet in diam
eter. From the cornice OF the attic
arose semiellipsoidal dome to
uphold a tholus, or lantern, II feet
In diameter and 30 feet high. and the
whole was to terminate in bronze fig
ure, 16 feet s inches high. and 800
seet above the basement floor.
1t was determined to leave the old
rotunda unchanged to the level of the
stone cornice, "A feet above the ro-
tunda floor. The wall was to be built
up to a point nine fet above the cor
nice. Just above the cornice Of this
frieze was a corridor encircling the ro-
tunda, composed of series of piers
and attached columns, above which
arose the dome.
The design thus outlined, Mr.. Blake
slee said. called for a semiellipsoidal
curve, which gave to the dome a rath-
er pointed attenuated appearance. fur
ther accentuated by the tholus and
statue of freedom. by which 1t was
surmounted.
Though the caprice or Indifference
of Sculptor Crawford" declared Mr..
Blakeslee. "the model of the statue
was made with utter disregard for
the measurements allowed by the ar
chitect's drawings. To meet this
change in the dimensions the archi-
tect was forced to change the profile
of the dome proper, which differs es-
sentially from the original design and
from the various notifications which
were rejected by congress. The dome
proper became semispherical, with a
diameter of So feet. The tholus was
enlarged from a diameter of II feet to
diameter of 20 feet. The figure of
freedom was increased in height to 20
feet and increased in other .dimen-
sions proportionately. requiring ped
estal 18 feet in diameter.
"The change in the architects draw
ings was made In 1859" continued
Mr.. Blakeslee. Meanwhile the exc
cution of the work had been progress
ing as rapidly as possible. The ques-
ton of the profile of the dome was al
most continually before congress dur
ing this time, yet Crawford, the sculp-
tor, worked on regardless of their dis
cussions. and apparently without
thought OF the wishes of congress. and
certainly without regard to the archi-
tectural lines of the dome.
1T would seem that a change SO
far-reaching as this would have been
brought to the attention of congress
before proceeding with the actual
working drawings. especially after SO
much consideration had been given
this particular point by congress. and
decision reached to adhere to the
first approved design which embodied
the semiellipsoidal dome
$50 far as | can ascertain, the only
intimation given to congress on this
point was In the report made by
Capt w. B. Franklin. then in charge
of the Capitol extension and dome.
Franklin reported as follows: Another
change has been made by the archi-
tect during the past year (1859). which
became necessary because the figure
of freedom and It's pedestal, designed
by Crawford for the top of the dome,
are larger in all respects than the fig
ure and pedestal drawn upon the alt
cred design. On this account he alt
cred the outline OF the lantern and the
curve of the cupola.
This is the only reference to this
important change I can find. It ID
quite safe to assume that members OF
congress did not realize how much the
design, as whole, had been altered
Upon consideration of the facts. 1t is
not difficult for the professional mind
| to comprehend the Importance of a
change involving the curvature Of the
dome proper. and necessarily the pro
portions of the entire work"