Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-01-09
port to the President Of the o. States.

Improvements al Tie war du1
Navy Departments, l,4e5 50
Fire Apparatus, s'o -
beg leave to refer to the accompanying re-
Dor, of the Architect for an exposition OF The
state Of the work at the Capitol and Penilentia-
~. Jail OF durable materials and workman
ship has been erected at Alexandra, and is now
ready for occupancy: but some further e1Pen"
Si,ure in and about the building would be We
~ beneficial.
/ nave the honor to remain, with the high
Is, respect, sir, your most obedien: servant,
J. ELGAR.
Report of the proceedings Of the Public Buildings
for the year 1927.
SIa: In presenting Report Of the proceed,
ings on the Capitol Of the United States, Of the
present season, Icommeace by observing, that
BY the direction Cf The Committee on Public
Buildings Of The last Congress, s,alemen, was
made Of all the unfinished work on the Capitol,
It's approaches and dependencies, and estimates
were furnished Of the probable expense of COM
pieling the same. These having been submit
ted TO the Committee, they expressed their re.
solution TO have the work, executed with
all possible despatch, and directed special ex,
ertons TO be made for collecting materials and
obtaining an additional number of wurkmcn
These views Of the Commitiee received the
sanction Of Cong,ess, and in consequence, at
the opening Of the season materials were pros
cured and Ell lrts made 10 obtain the number OF
| workmen requisite; but, notwithstanding The
enc engagement offered, only small addition
could be made OF such as were effective and
serviceable. In proceeding upon the work,
| stlenliun was directed 10 such parts as were
most essential, and which would produce &C.
| no ~lo,tn ~ I've
buildings and regulation Of the grounds. A
figh, of steps on the Yves, side leading to the
| first terrace has been completed. The scmi>
circuia, wall. with the arches for wood vaults,
capable of containing four bundled cords, with
t-~-~sS-'tU PS Iraurus upper TER
| race, over the vaults are all finished. A large
quantity Of earth has been removed from the
easleriy part of Capitol Square. 20 bring j! to
its proper graduation, and is deposited 10 part
on the Wes' side, to form The terrace AMI gla-
els; also to raise P.nnsyl, ania Avenue 10 the
right ascent, and otherwise di,posed t. bring
the contiguous public ground, into order on
the South side Of the Capitol. Broad pave
ments Of stone flags are laid on The East front
| and on the North and South ends Of the build
ing, and brick pavements of the same width
continued 10 the North and South entrances,
over he circular terrace, and along the line Of
railing borders til. terraces round the building,
and the grounds 10 the West. The garden
grounds 10 the East are enclosed by wrongnl
iron railing, coniormabr 10 that which SUR
rounds the Square. Stone piers to the North
and South entrances md to the Square, have
been ras. d TO the height to receive the railing,
bu, are not compirIed.
ConSidei adj, progress has been made in the
sculpture III the PANEL Of the East principal
door of the Ro,unda, and in the tym anum of
The pedimeut OF the port'co; and the whole Of
the work OF tn p rtico has been painted.
wher, 1t was not encountered with sc,ffolds.
A house ha, be- n built 10 accommodate the
FIRE engine and apr aratus furnished by order
OF Congress, arc every convenience is provided
for the use Of the fire company, 10 make effsc-
iual ;hcir services, which are voluntary and
gratui'ouS. A bell OF sufficien, size is placed
on the tower, to be used in necessary cases Of
alarm from fire.
In The inferior Of the building, the sculp-
ture Of the Rotunda is finished, and The walls
painted. Two warm air stoves OF he most
powerful and improved construction, have
been placed below, with apertures in The floor
Tor the admission ofwa air, to correct the
dampnrss OF the rotunda he effect of who h
cannot, howe, er, be fully felt unit the opening
IN Tue Centre sndIi Dc Closed ell ner so luiy or
by sky light. The floor OF the Represeo a.
tive Hail Ia, bern taken up and relaid, after
The space was filled sol.dly with bricks. This
VS. done with design to prevent The noise
arising from walking, and TO lessen The rever-
berati"n of sounds: the effect is fnunt TO be |
very advantageous. The alterations in the |
Senate Chamber have been effected, and pri.
va stair for The convenience Of the members |
has been contrved and executed in a Temporal
ry manner.
The above is an abstract Of all that could !
be effected during the pas, season, with the ut
most diligence and attention of the superin>
tendents and workmen. The following remain
to bring the work Oh this great national edi6ce
to close: To finish three courts in the inte>
rior Of the building the piers, gates and en-
frances on evrry1side Of the enclosure, guam
ity Of pavement al the West approach and
around the areas Of the wood vaults, Eight Of
steps on each flank Of the Western terrace, the
materials for which are provided. The build,
ing also requires general painting and repair.
i would SupppSf the M, eSSity of rpneutpr he