#capitol construction

The great and magnificent state capitol building was yesterday dedicated with a splendor that was befitting the glory of Texas and the grandeur of that building. Representative men from all over the Union were present; our sister republic of Mexico, by specially commissioned representatives, paid tribute to the occasion; the flower of the finest militia in the land marched in the procession; the United States government had five hundred troops in line; five thousand masons were entrusted with the rite of dedication; the beauty, chivalry and manhood of Texas was at hand, represented by tens of thousands of people. It was a memorable, a glorious day. A day to be inscribed in the history of a great commonwealth. A day when the heart of every Texan swelled with feelings of exultation and pride. For Austin it was the most memorable day that will ever dawn. In the name of the state she welcomed the people of the state, she acknowledged with rejoicing the pride she took in that perfect capitol building; with exultant joy she bowed to the state the appreciation she so keenly felt at the glory of being charged with the distinction of being the capitol city of such an empire state. All Texas was wrapt up in the ceremonies of yesterday; and as the vast throng of people and the dignitaries of this and other states with the representatives of Mexico, joined in the ceremonies that crowned that state temple with the halo of a shrine consecrated to liberty, this state and nation with the nations of the earth paused to turn their eyes towards us, and Texas was tendered another chaplet of glory. One page, at least, in the history of Texas will be perpetually set apart to commemorate the events of the 16th day of May, 1888.

The state reserves 300,000 acres of land, it being 10 per cent of the capitol lands, which are to be held back until the entire completion of the building under the terms of the original contract. The state also retains 10,000 acres of land on account of the unfinished stairs and blinds, and the contractor’s bond of $250,000 is held as a guarantee of the building. On the other hand, the contractor gets a certificate for 150,000 acres of land, the amount earned up to date, and he is also relieved from all responsibility on account of the building. The state can now use and occupy her capitol.

There was rejoicing written on the face of every legislator last night, and there was cause for such rejoicing, for it was the event of a life-time to be allowed the privilege of participating as a legislator in the christening of the grandest state house in the union. Then and there was the occasion of a life-time. Who was not enthused with the idea of the grandeur and magnificence of the state as he stood in those legislative halls last night and thought of what the state was and had accomplished, and what she would yet achieve. The empire state last night had placed upon it the everlasting seal of state unity. That mammoth structure, towering to the sky and tipped with the lone star, emblematic of the single and indivisible life and being of the state, is a pledge and guarantee that in its halls and beneath its dome the children of Texas, for generations and centuries to come, will meet and rule the interests of their empire state. Last night will live in the memory of the Twentieth legislature—it will live in the history of Texas.

The citizens of Austin, who, because of the approaching festival occasion, have been especially anxious to have this matter settled, owe a debt of gratitude to those gentlemen in the legislature who especially interested themselves in securing this happy solution of a vexed question.

The great state house of Texas was opened, for the first time last night to the citizens of Austin and the public generally in compliment to the legislature of the state and in honor of San Jacinto day. It was brilliantly illuminated with electric lights and such is the intense admiration for this noble structure by the people of Austin, who have seen it built stone by stone until it has at last reared aloft its powering dome and stands completed in their midst, that when the first opportunity presented itself of going into the building, through the courtesy of the contractor, not less than 5,000 people streamed through its broad portals last night, and were pleased beyond expression with the magnificence of the interior finish of the numerous spacious apartments. The effect of the illumination upon the splendid and stately interior was dazzling and gorgeous throughout the entire building. Calcium and various other colored lights furnished gratuitously by Mr. Oscar Samostz were fired in front and on top of the building, and, together with the lights through the windows of the building and dome, the sight was an inspiriting revelation of the magnificence and beauty of this grand governmental edifice. From any point on Congress avenue, looking up at the building, all illuminated, is a brilliant and beautiful sight witnessed in but few cities even ten times the size of Austin either in the new or the old world. In three weeks from this morning a host of people, variously estimated from 50,000 to 100,000 will be in this city, coming from every county in Texas and from almost every state in the Union and representing the intelligence, wisdom, refinement and culture of the present day, are coming with the one single purpose of viewing the new capitol building of Texas, and their verdict will be the verdict of all intelligent people who have traveled the world over, that for permanency, stability, magnitude and grandeur, there is no state house in the union to compare with it.

In addition to these lights, and to add to the brilliancy of the scene, Mr. Oscar Samostz, at his own expense, will illuminate the dome and the building with colored lights at 9 o’clock sharp, both for the inside and outside. The lower story and second floor, on which are the senate chamber and hall or representatives, only will be open to visitors to night, as a large portion of the third floor and dome are freshly printed, and painters are still at work. Remember that Samostz’ colored lights will be set off at 9 o’clock sharp. Visitors will be permitted in the building from 7:30 until 11 o’clock.

Ex-State Fish Commissioner Lubbock continues to receive orders for carp. By the way, some of the fishermen report that they have caught some very fine carp of late in the Colorado.

The status, Goddess of Liberty, which is to surmount the capitol dome, has been received, and is a beautiful work of art. It will be placed in position in a few days.