The New York herald., 1844-07-18
NEW YORK. THURSDAY MORNING. JULY IS. 1914.
Correspondence of the Herald
WASHINGTON. Tuesday. July I6


Washington.
Correspondence Of the Herald
WASHINGTON, Tuesday, July l6, 1874.
The Federal Cuy-Morai, Social and Political i'd
vantages of Tasteful Public Buiidings-Negiect
ofthe last Session Of Congress Projects Of Hon.
Zadok Pratt-Bmeau of Statistics-War and
Nary Buiidings-Lia of Patents tor General
Circulation-National Monument to Washington,
&c. &c.
In the general dearth of news, incidents, rumors,
speculations, and peculations, at head quarters,
we have thought it would not be unworthy your
extensively circulated paper to make draft upon
the journal of the last session of the House OF Re-
presentatves relative to its action upon appropria-
tions proposed for the Federal metropolis.
The seat Of the national government, among
civilized countries, is properly sought to be made,
by the national authorities, the exponent of the
morals of the people-of their taste and liberaity
in architecture, benevolent institutions, and the
fine arts, and OF their general character as COM
petent and munifcent sovereignty. The people Of
the United States, in common with the citizens of
other enlightened and refined nations, are Justly
proud Of their Federal Capitol-of Its tasteful and
classic public edifces-of the beauty and skill ex-
hibited, and the muni6cence apparent, in the
adornments Of the public ways, gardens and build
ngs. These are matters OF honest and commend
able pride-a pride which, entertained in common
among all the citizens Of an extended empire, tends
most happily to consolidate the affections of the
people in the integrity and preservation OF the
Union. Again, the encouragement Of the princ.
pies of beauty and taste in the public edifices and
enclosures-0f the works OF science and OF art in
the administration OF the government-and of the
abOrs and researches OF learned and patriotic
men-contribute TO the immediate dissemination
tO tho inf o. al ~
the same distinctive evidences OF refinement, i'm.
provement, and advancement. But. enough Of
exordum
The House Of Representatives at the last ses.
sion, from erroneous conceptions OF economy and
rerenchment, were most wilfully negligent OF pro-
noting the Improvement and beauty of the fed
eral city, and their own convenience and COM
fo.t while resident within it as dispensers of the
laws OF the land A Fictitious and fictitious spirit
OF prejudice and jealousy seemed to be predomi-
nant with the dominant majority. Among the in
dividual exceptions to the general hostility, the
people Of Washington and the country will COM
mend the national spirit of Hon. z. Pratt, Chair
man of the House Committee on Public Buildings
and Grounds His numerous reports on subjects
embraced within the .purview of his appointment,
as papers OF statistical information merely, are
worthy Of general circulation through the coun-
try. Among these reports, are included
st report setting forth the advantages Of Bureau Of
Statistics and Commerce in connection with the Trea.
snry Department. with resolution recommending said
Bureau The proposition finally adopted by direct
ing the transfer OF three clerks from the General Land
Once to the details Of trade finances currency and com.
ID report recommending the conjunction of the War
and Navy buildings By central addition accc ding to
the erection of wing to the Patent Office, in furtherance
OF the original design. Not agreed to.
ton from the Patent fund Of $40 900 for the purchase OF
an ample collection Of scientific and other necessary
descriptions and drawings Of the inventions for which
patents have been granted also for other provisions
cessary to give greater efficiency to the office and more
perfect Of the models and drawings within
the extent Of the fund arising from patents and that the
committee report by bill otherwise" Not accom-
plished, we believe.
A late writer in the lntelligencer in remarking
upon this proposition, says:
"The artzans and mechanics Of the United states will
be pleased to learn that the Hon. Zadok Pratt practical
mechanic has introduced resolution in the House oi
Representatives providing for the publication and engra
wing Of all inventions patented in the Patent Office at
Washington, which now amount to thirteen thousand five
hundred and twenty and that is his intention to
have copies OF these works distributed at the erpense
the Office throughout every town in the United States
that the classes OF citizens hose genius
talent may lead them to the discovery of new Inventions
may know and have constantly at hand complete com
pend and view Of all the models and drsughts Of the
chimes for which patents have been issued since the oun
"This project is highly meritorious and businesske
and particularly when is known to be the object
which is now about sioc soo with an annual Weld Of
000 sufficient sum to purchase and distribute in the
manner collection OF scientific and other
books to be at the disposal and Of the citizens Of each
and hamlet 1t is gratifying to perceive that there
is at least in Congress to devote part
his mind and time bis brother mechanics and to the
things that are truly useful instead Of following in the
general business OF President making aud the manufac
turing OF public opinion"
Washington in the form of circular temple 100 feet
high OF successive stories supported by columns Of diff
and statues Of distinguished men national paintings and
other works of art The in the hands of the
from public subscriptions to be appropriated in aid
the work. Nothing done
5th report recommending the enclosure Of 50
of the naked wall OF l50 in front of the capital wesand
the planting therein of rees-the laying out of walks
the erection Of fountains either side and Of the afore
said National Monument in the centrethe square to ke
called Monument Parkthe costs OF the work to be paid
from the sales OF public lots within the city thus avoiding
the abstraction of single dollar from the Treasury But
this laudabs and beautiful project Of Improvement was
liberate sober second thought"
9th. report recommending from the different Execu
tive departments periodical returns of public expenditures
and public property in detail Adopted
7h. proposition to appropriate $l00O0 to paint the
dingy capital Rejected. 1t will require $4,000 two
sh motion to appropriate $4,000 to the Presidents
House and Grounds Rejected The next President can.
not be decenty installed under less than $4oOO0
9th A resolution directing the removal OF the ugly
shantee which encloses Greenoughs statue OF Washing
and the erection Of iron railing around the base
said statue Rejected Also the bill from the Senate for
the improvement of the Pennsylvania Avenue and every
other substitute for the the pary appropriation
proposed OF $500 to aid in watering said street.
Without contending for the immediate adoption
Of these several propositions of improvement, we
do contend that, without detriment to the public
economy, they would have contributed materially
to the prosperity of the National Capital and the
business of the Government-to the convenience,
comfort, pleasure and health of citizens, members
of Congress and strangers-to the insurance of re-
spect from foreign nations, and of sefrespect and
pride among the whole people as the sovereigo
proprietors of the Government estates, and to the
the Capital Of the Republic and the Republic at
large.
The beautiful public edifces erected during the
Presidency of Mr. Van Buren will mmortalize his
administration. To any further extension or i'm
provement of such buildings at Washington the
members from the west are orally opposed bur
the reasons of the signal rejection of the claims OF
the federal city by the last House OF Representa-
tives are few and simple. The ultra whg citizens
regarded the House az locoioco destructives; they
looked upon the democratic majority as majority