The commissioners all accepted the appointment and at once entered upon the discharge of their duties, by holding their first meeting on May 13th, 1893. The biennial reports of the commissioners made to the governor of the state relate in great detail the operations of the Board in the performance of its duties. It is not within the purpose of this paper to repeat the story of the work which their reports so faithfully set forth.

The requirements for the selection of plans for the new building and of an architect, as provided in the original act of 1893, were found to be altogether too rigorous and impracticable. The financial scheme too was greatly impaired by the diminishing assessments of the property within the state, which, instead of increasing yearly as was anticipated, were so seriously affected by the wide spread financial depression from which the whole country suffered, that it was very evident the tax provided for in the law would not furnish the amount of money appropriated for the building within the time limited.

All these difficulties in the original act were remedied by subsequent legislation in 1895, 1897 and 1899. By these amendments the commissioners were given greater liberty in the choice of an architect, and the selection of plans, and were permitted to issue their certificates in anticipation of future revenues, as might be necessary, to furnish the funds as their work progressed.

In the meantime, as the country recovered from the ef fects of the financial troubles, the prices of labor and of all kinds of materials advanced very rapidly. If the commissioners had been free to proceed with their work at the time they assumed their duties, the new capitol as originally planned could have been built within the sum appropriated by the act, as the commissioners themselves very clearly show in their second report to the governor.

THE ARCHITECT AND THE NEW CAPITOL.

Upon the invitation of the commissioners, architects from all over the United States, many of them of the most distinguished reputation, submitted plans and drawings, forty-one in all, for the new capitol, and all anonymously. These were exhibited in public for two weeks, as the law required. After a most critical examination by the members of the Board, assisted by Mr. Wheelwright, a distinguished architect of Boston, and an almost unanimous expression by the general 'public, the plans offered by Mr. Cass Gilbert, of St. Paul, were chosen, although at the time he was not known as the author, and he was selected as the architect. A better selection could not have been made. Mr. Gilbert had lived in St. Paul from childhood. His ability, skill, and artistic taste were well known, and his integrity, an important element in an architect's character, was his priceless possession. The new capitol building (shown in Plate VII) is the pride of every citizen. It will remain Mr. Gilbert's most enduring monument, and will proclaim his name among the great architects of all the ages.

The plans and designs submitted by Mr. Gilbert, and accepted by the commissioners, were for a building of the most stately and dignified character, well befitting the official home of a prosperous and cultured people. The architecture is the Italian Renaissance. It commands admiration at once by its classic simplicity, and, surmounted by a superb and majestic dome, recalls to the beholder those celebrated structures of Europe that have been the study of lovers of the beautiful in architecture, since the days the great masters created them. As Dante on his famous seat sat for hours lost in contemplation of the perfection of the beautiful cathedral of Florence, so may we and our children for generations to come sit and study and learn what is most beautiful and classic in art in our admiration of Mr. Gilbert's great creation.

The extreme length of the building is 432 feet 10 inches. The width through the central portico is 228 feet 3 inches. The extreme height of the dome is 220 feet. In the interior ample provision is made for the two houses of the legislature and their committees; for the supreme court, the governor,

and all officers of the state. Special attention has been given to the heating, lighting, and ventilating systems, everything throughout being of the most complete and substantial character. The building is as nearly absolutely fireproof as human ingenuity can make it.

The commissioners proceeded at once to select a site for the building within the limits prescribed by the law. They encountered many vexatious and unreasonable obstructions. The property they desired to purchase became at once very valuable in the minds of its owners, and it was only after the most patient and perplexing efforts that they were finally able to secure the commanding location the capitol now occupies. The grounds embrace an area of nearly eight acres and cost $367,161.98. The site is a most admirable one. The elevation is 199 feet above low water mark, and 88 feet above the site of the old capitol. The view from the lantern of the capitol dome, extending for miles over the surrounding country, and compassing the two great cities, presents the most magnificent panorama to be found anywhere within the state. Being remote from the business center of the city, the beauty of the capacious grounds and the noble building itself are the conspicuous features of the landscape, while it is readily accessible in a few minutes from any part of the city by the numerous street car lines.

Following the selection and purchase of the capitol site and the adoption of the plans and designs of Mr. Gilbert, the active work of construction began at once. The contract for the excavation and foundation was awarded to Mr. George J. Grant, of St. Paul. Ground was broken on March 6th, 1896, and the first stone was laid on June 23rd of the same year. The foundation was completed on November 24th, 1896.

In the performance of their duties, the commissioners adhered rigidly to the terms of the law under which they were

*In securing the present capitol grounds, the commissioners were very ably assisted by Hon. Henry M Rice, Hon. Alexander Ramsey, and Mr. H. S. Fairchild. Their efforts with the owners of the various pieces of real estate, and their final success in obtaining them at something near their real value, place the state under great obligation to these gentle

men.