age are so arranged that fully ten thousand people having equal views can enjoy the regattas and scull races without obstruction. I have considered the advantages of dockage, gravel and sand pits, water conveyance to the various buildings, sewerage and ventilation. I have endeavored to keep in view in the construction of these buildings everything conducive to the attainment of a harmonious and symmetrical whole, such as will justify us in considering the University of Washington as one of the most attractive institutions in the United States. Having considered the faults and shortcomings, and studied the best results obtained in the various departments of eastern universities, I have confidence that the people of one of the youngest states in the union will have for their university a series of buildings which will furnish a model for older commonwealths. Second only in importance to the proper planning of the colleges is the consideration of the approaches to them, and of the treatment of the surroundings. If the grounds which surround the structure are out of harmony, incongruity results. To consider both the building and the site together involves a wider range of view than most architects take; to secure excellence in both, foresight and skill are required. Only a study of the art of landscape gardening can give this. A building badly placed, when it might be well placed and surrounded, is incomplete; one is apt to find the entrances placed where they will necessitate inconvenient approaches; these, in their turn, spoiling the grounds, by preventing the best arrangement of lawns and plantations. The more magnificent the architecture, the more does it need this graceful drapery of plantation for its best capacity of expression. Real landscape art is nothing if it is not broad, simple and conservative of natural beauty. The site we are dealing with is so replete with natural advantages of surface, broad water prospects, and grand mountain views, that a failure to group the buildings and grounds together in perfect harmony would be a matter for lasting regret. The approaches or driveways should lead to their objective points with directness and without superfluous flourish; they should command the most impressive views, developed here and there by judicious thinning of foliage, disclosing hidden visions of water and blue distance. Our grounds are of sufficient extent to yield distinctive landscape charThe development of these characteristics, in a fuller measure, should be accomplished by softening what is hard, clothing what is bare, filling out what is meagre, and enriching what is beautiful; all in harmony with the original type. This will exclude as incongruous what is merely novel or eccentric, and subordinate what is obviously artificial to what is natural. Then, with proper regard to the location, grouping and sky lines of the buildings; the broad and natural undulations of surface; easy grades of the driveways; simple embellishments of the water fronts; a result will be obtained, the very strength of which will lie in its natural simplicity. acter. All of which is respectfully submitted. SEATTLE, Aug. 19, 1891. WILLIAM E. BOONE, Architect for the University of Washington. ADOPTION OF PLANS, ETC.-INVITING BIDS. In order that the plans and specifications prepared by the architect should be approved and adopted by a full board, the meeting of August 20, 1891, was held in the governor's office in Olympia. The minutes of the meeting read as follows: The meeting was called to order by the president ex officio, Elisha P. Ferry. There were present: Elisha P. Ferry, John Arthur, James R. Hayden, Charles F. Leavenworth, John McReavy. The minutes of the previous meeting were read, and on motion, unanimously approved. Mr. Leavenworth moved, seconded by Mr. Hayden, that the board adopt the report, plans, drawings and specifications for the University of Washington, submitted to the board by the architect, William E. Boone, and that the board forthwith advertise for proposals for the materials and labor necessary in the construction of the main university building (spoken of in said report as the administration and belles lettres building). The motion was unanimously adopted, the following named members voting in the affirmative: John Arthur, James R. Hayden, Charles F. Leavenworth, John McReavy, Elisha P. Ferry. Mr. Arthur moved, seconded by Mr. McReavy, that the notice to contractors for the materials and labor necessary in the construction of the main university building, be published for four weeks, daily and consecutively, in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Tacoma Ledger, the Spokane Chronicle, and the Walla Walla Statesman. The motion was unanimously adopted, the following named members voting in the affirmative: John Arthur, James R. Hayden, Charles F. Leavenworth, John McReavy, Elisha P. Ferry. And it was moved and seconded that the following form of notice to contractors be adopted: NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS. Notice is given, that the Board of University Land and Building Commissioners of the State of Washington hereby invite separate sealed proposals: First, for the materials; secondly, for the labor, necessary in the construction of the main university building (to wit, the building for administration and belles lettres) on the site located therefor in section 16, township 25, north of range 4 east, in King county, Washington, in accordance with the plans, other drawings and specifications therefor, adopted by said board, and which will be found at the office of Boone & Willcox, architects, in rooms 58, 59 and 60, in the Boston block, corner Second and Columbia streets, Seattle, Washington, on and after September 1, 1891. Said proposals to be filed with the secretary of the board, James R. Hayden, in Seattle, on or before Thursday, September 24, 1891, at the hour of one o'clock p. m., at which time all proposals will be opened publicly by the board in its office, rooms 307 and 308 Butler block. Seattle. All contractors must be citizens of the State of Washington. The board has the right to reject any and all proposals. Each proposal must be accompanied by a certified check in the sum of ten thousand dollars - 2 ($10,000) to be forfeited upon the inability of the bidder to furnish satisfactory bonds. Proposals must be indorsed upon the envelope, "Sealed proposals for the building of the building of the University of Washington." ELISHA P. FERRY, Governor and President, ex officio, JOHN ARTHUR, JOHN MCREAVY, CHARLES F. LEAVENWORTH, JAMES R. HAYDEN. Board of University Land and Building Commissioners. Dated at Seattle, Wash., August 20, A. D. 1891. BIDS FOR MAIN BUILDING. September 24, 1891, the board met and opened the bids. From the minutes of the meeting we quote the following: The secretary laid before the board satisfactory proof that the invitation for proposals for the labor and materials necessary in the construction of the main university building had been duly published, daily, for four (4) weeks, consecutively, in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, the Tacoma Ledger, the Spokane Chronicle, and the Walla Walla Statesman. Thereupon, on motion, it was unanimously resolved by the board that said publication was made according to law. At 1 o'clock P. M., the secretary publicly, in presence of the several bidders and many others, opened all proposals for the labor and material necessary in the construction of the main university building, which had been filed with them, which proposals were as follows, to wit: SEATTLE, WASH., September 24, 1891. The Board of University Land and Building Commissioners: GENTLEMEN According to the plans and specifications prepared by William E. Boone, architect, I propose to furnish all material required for the sum of ( $400,399) four hundred thousand three hundred and ninetynine dollars, delivered at the building. I will take this material, delivered by myself, and set it in place for the sum of ($160,112) one hundred and sixty thousand one hundred and twelve dollars. These two bids are co-relative and must not be considered individually, and must be together rejected or accepted. This bid is for the Sucia Island stone and acme plaster. Yours truly, CHARLES H. BEBB. P. S.-The above bid is for the administration and belles lettres building. CHAS. H. BEBB. SEATTLE, WASH., Sept. 24, 1891. The Board of University Land and Building Commissioners: GENTLEMEN-According to the plans and specifications prepared by William E. Boone, architect, for the Administration and Belles Lettres building, I propose to erect the same, furnishing all the labor and material, for the sum of five hundred and thirty-nine thousand five hundred and eleven ($539,511) dollars. This bid is for the building complete, according to the specifications, and includes all labor and material taken together under one contract. Yours truly, CHARLES H. BEBB. SEATTLE, WASH., Sept. 24, 1891. To the Honorable Board of University Land and Building Commissioners of the State of Washington: I propose to furnish for the main university building, to wit: the building for administration and belles lettres, all of the required materials of their several kinds, in accordance with the plans and specifications, and delivered on the grounds or site, for the consideration of (350,000) dollars in U.S. gold coin. I also propose to perform all of the labor on the materials in construction of the above building, in accordance with the plans and specifications prepared by W. E. Boone, architect, for the consideration of (215,000) dollars, U. S. gold coin. I must have the contract on both labor and ma terials, or nothing. Yours truly, Will furnish any sandstone that the board may select. JAMES PARKE. JAMES PARKE. To the Honorable Board of University Land and Building Commissioners of the State of Washington: GENTLEMEN-We propose to furnish all the material for the university building as per plans and specifications for the sum of ($368,000) three hundred and sixty-eight thousand dollars. Will do the labor as per plans and specifications for ($111,400) one hundred eleven thousand four hundred dollars. This bid not to be separated but to be considered as one. This proposal is for Sucia Island stone. If any other stone is selected will add ten thousand dollars ($10,000) to bid as per plans and specifications prepared by W. E. Boone, architect. Respectfully submitted, LILLIS & Goss. SEATTLE, WASH., Sept. 24, 1891. Board of Regents, Administration and Belles Lettres Building, Seattle, Wash.: GENTLEMEN-We hereby propose to furnish all labor according to plans and specifications prepared by W. E. Boone, architect, for the erection of the above building for two hundred seventy-eight thousand four hundred and fifty ($278,450) dollars. This bid is accompanied by a bid for materials and is to be accepted only with material bid. It is understood that the bids of this firm are to be accepted or rejected together. Very respectfully, MALLORY, VAN FOSSEN & SPRAGUE. Board of Regents of Administration and Belles Lettres Building, Seattle, Wash.: GENTLEMEN We hereby prospose to furnish all materials according to plans and specifications prepared by W. E. Boone, architect, for the erection of the above building, using Vantine or Tenino stone, for the sum of three hundred sixty-eight thousand two hundred and thirty ($368,230) dollars. Fifteen thousand ($15,000) [dollars] to be added for Wilkeson or Pittsburg stone. This bid is accompanied by a labor bid and is to be accepted only with the labor bid. Very respectfully, MALLORY, VAN FOSSEN & SPRAGUE. To the Honorable Board of University Land and Building Commissioners: GENTLEMEN-We, the undersigned, respectfully submit the following propositions for the labor and materials necessary for the erection and completion of the state [university] to be erected in King county, State of Washington, according to plans made for the same by architects, Messrs. Boone & Wilcox. First: For all materials, ($410,000) four hundred and ten thousand dollars. Second: For all labor, ($240,000) two hundred and forty thousand dol lars. Thirdly: For all materials and labor throughout for the sum of six hundred and eighteen thousand dollars ($618,000). This proposition is conditioned that we will not take labor without we have the furnishing of all materials or "vice versa." Enclosed find certified check, $20,000. Very respectfully submitted, JNO. T. LONG & Co. P. S.- Our figures are based on blue sandstone from quarries named in specifications, or white sandstone [from] the Star quarry. For Wilkeson or Pittsburg stone, add to our figures ($20,000) twenty thousand dollars. Respectfully, JNO. T. LONG & CO. It was moved by Mr. Hayden, seconded by Mr. McReavy, that each and all of the bids just read to the board be rejected, and that the certified checks severally accompanying them be returned to the parties, respectively, enclosing the same, for the reasons: First, That each of said bids is conditional in respect to the letting of the contracts for the labor and material together to one and the same bidder; and, second, that each of said bids is, by the board, deemed too high. The motion was unanimously adopted, the following named members voting in the affirmative: James R. Hayden, Charles F. Leavenworth, John McReavy, John Arthur. The secretary thereupon delivered up all of said certified checks to the parties who, respectively, inclosed the same to him. BIDS FOR MATERIALS INVITED. The board met on the next day and took the action set forth in the following extract from the minutes of the meeting: It was moved by Mr. Leavenworth, seconded by Mr. McReavy, that the board adopt the following preamble and resolution: WHEREAS, The board has rejected each and all of the bids opened by it September 24, A. D., 1891. for the construction of the main university building, for the reasons: First, That each of said bids is conditional in respect to the letting of the contracts for the labor and material together to one and the same bidder; and, secondly, that each of said bids is by the board deemed too high; and WHEREAS, The board is satisfied, after consultation with the architect, that it will be impracticable to obtain, upon a re-advertisement for like bids, any absolute, unconditional bids by responsible contractors, for the labor separately, and for the materials separately, for said building, and is further satisfied that, if any such bids were obtained, they would be at figures too high for the work, by reason of such separation of bids; and WHEREAS, The board is satisfied, after careful consideration of the subject with the architect, that said building can be erected by the board, under the immediate control and management of the architect and superintendent of construction, William E. Boone, at a large saving of money to the state, and with greater assurance of good and substantial work, by the board's purchasing all the materials therefor, and employing the labor necessary in the construction thereof; therefore, |