CREATION

The Capitol Commission was created in 1909 when the Utah Legislature enacted four Capitol Building bills approved by Governor William Spry March 11, 1909. The first bill, chapter 64, created a Capitol Commission consisting of seven members to oversee the construction of the capitol building (Laws of Utah, chapter 64, p. 106). The other three bills, chapters 65, 66, and 67 provided funds to meet the cost of the building.

FUNCTIONS

The commission was authorized, empowered, and directed to cause a suitable design, with plans and specifications, to be prepared for the erection of a State Capitol upon the Capitol grounds in Salt Lake City. The commission was charged to provide a design to meet the future requirements of the state, and to provide for growth as the necessities of the state may require.

ADMINISTRATION

The officers of the commission consisted of a president, a vice-president, a superintendent of buildings and grounds, and a secretary. The Governor acted as president, the Secretary of State as vice-president, with the superintendent and secretary elected by the commission from among the members appointed by the Governor. Five members of the commission constituted the necessary quorum for the transaction of business.

ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY

Members of the commission were Governor William Spry, president of the commission; Secretary of State C.S. Tingey, vice-president; Attorney General A. R. Barnes; and four others appointed by the Governor: John Dern, C.E. Loose, M.S. Browning, and John Henry Smith.