1870.] OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. 791

the Legislature, but this expectation owing to circumstances
not foreseen at that time, was not realized ; and on the 7th
of May, 1869, the Building Committee knew that the amount
of the appropriation in their hands was exhausted, and the
Mansion far from completion, nevertheless they directed the
work to be carried on with dispatch in order, if possible, to
have it completed by the Jst October, 1869. But no one who
had carefully examined the matter can for one moment doubt
that the gentlemen who consituted the Building Committee
acted from beginning to end, with the most perfect good faith,
and were actuated solely by an earnest desire to secure for
the State a building which, in their judgment, would be suita-
ble for a Governor's Mansion. And in order to accomplish,
this result, the members of the Building Committee for
nearly two years, and without any pay, gave a great deal of
time in directing and superintending this work, and while
there may be a difference of opinion as to the suitableness of
the Governor's Mansion, which the Building Committee has
had erected, it should be borne in mind that the last Legis-
lature selected the square upon which the Governor's Man-
sion has been erected, thereby at once consuming nearly one-
third of the entire amount appropriated, and ordered and
directed the erection of a Mansion to be in keeping with the
large public buildings in the immediate vicinity. Your Com-
mittee beg leave to add that it is justice to those who have
had charge of the work, to say, they have discharged every
duty entrusted to them by the direction of the Building Com-
mittee, skilfully and honestly.

As your Committee is fully satisfied that the various
mechanics and others are justly and equitably entitled to the
compensation which they claim for the labor which they have
done, and for the materials they have furnished in the erec-
tion of the Governor's Mansion, enclosing and improving the
grounds surrounding the same; and moreover, as the State,
through its Building Committee, has accepted the Mansion
and improvements, and is now in possession thereof, we beg
leave respectfully to refer to you the accompanying bill in
order that the necessary appropriation may be made in pay-
ment of the same.

N. BROWNE,

Char'n of the Senate Committee.
ALFRED SPATES.

JOHN R. BLAKE,
Char'n of House Committee.
WM. WHITE,
W. T. MARKLAND,
JOHN H. COOPER.