The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-06-22
Correspondence Of the New York Express
WASHINGTON, June Is, Is
TTo p0feof nH,~> L..,yJ:cr hH.J.-.. 49,

WASHINGTON, June Is, 1S49.
TIE Patent Office buIding-Modern Vandalism
The extension OF the Patent Office building authorized
by Congress- IS in progress, and every person of
taste in the metropolis is disguised with the deliberate
vandalism about 10 be perpeated in the erection of the
wings OF the "noblest edhce of them ALL" Who has
not admired the imposing form of that building as it now
grandeur OF lis outline and both advantageousy con-
trastng with the figure and scky hue of s
more pretending marble .neighbor, the General Post
Ohce! Now, what think you is to be the style of the
Forthcoming completion II is intended TO construct the
wings OF white marble and cover the present
succo Of white maste - This plan IS actually S ordered
apd will be carried out at once, unless general indignant
emonslrance from the people arrest the outrage Can
place and the power that confer the privilege of ordering
such desecraton' for it is nothing less than dissertation
10 turn the finest and most classic ed6ce OF the meopo.
lis into a moDgrel mass OF sandstone, marble, and
succo the composite order of architecture, truly
rs useless to express ignorance of where lies the
must beaT the onors and Inc
from it. AT present looks suspiciously like JOB,
and as if those authorizing the aforesaid place of con-
|structon were in the hands of incompetent and
mercenary to be regretted that works of this sort
executed here in accordance with the fixed
principles of taste in architecture
There is an evident want OF we-quahed architect
20 guide the plan and execution OF the works authorized
10y Congress Cannot something be done 10 stop this last
display of bad taste and irregular counsel' Will not
their national edifces, and insist that proper consul
'aon with persons qualified to advise in such mat
terS be held before Inc Work OF barbarISm
menced? Will not the architects OF the country make
stir in the affair for the sake of their great pro-
fession that has already covered our soil with monu-
menis worthy of the Old World | make this earnest
appeal because there appears amd all The d'ssailsiac
ton kere) bold and we'll sustained attempt TO arrest
the threatened outrage by those who must possess
some influence the proper authorizes; The press
here wholly and strangely silent ana nlnk me fatal
ease with which this coming act OF barbarism sto be ex
ecuted poends future evil TO other government works
Who knows what public building may not next be VIC
tmizeds Who knows that the noble columns Of the
Treasury may not be converted into series OF
males by some patriots suggesting their being
painted with tie alternate red and white OF our national
sfr,ors, Nav the vicious taste about TO dlshgure the
Patent Office has already storRed and taken the gateays
of the Capitol Their gray, sober forms are already con-
yer,ed into figures of ghasty cheheir quiet gentlity
gone, and there they stand looking very snob6isa and
,rtspas,y For this last piece Of pugorty, the new
lCommissoner of Public Buildings alone be respon
sibe The fine bronze statue OF Jefferson in front OF
the White House, will be, suppose the next subject for
| The same brush These denominations might be etfaced
by better TASTE but not with the poor Patent Once.
whose construction is meant for all time: Lei the
people them interfere in its behalf before is too late
You may hear from me again on this SUBJECT