The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-04-18
WASHINGTON, April is, 1850.
Enhancement of the Capitoi.

WASHINGTON, April 10, lou.
Enlargement of the Capitol.
The Committee of Public Buildings of the Senate
have had under consideration, for some days, the
subject of the enlargement Of the Capitol. The ex-
tension of the Union-the increase of our popua-
tion-the vastly increased and extending facilities
of travel, affordng the medium of cheap and
easy communication with the Federal City, thus
bringing thousands of visitors constantly in to wit
ness the debates, demand increased accommoda-
tons but, above all, the immense increase of the
public business imperatively calls for more room.
The present Senate chamber, as far as the
commodations for the public concerned, is but
little short of nuisance BY hard squeezing, some
three hundred people may be crowded into the
Pinched-up galleries, when, very often there are
three thousand turned away from the doors.
The hall of the House is sufficiently commodi-
ous--the galleries will accommodate three thousand
people Ii is a splendid chamber-large enough for
the House and the public; but it is constructed in
violation of the principles of acoustics, for there is
such confusion OF sounds from the echoes OF the
hail. that requires the strongest and cearest voice
TO be heard above the undercurrent of conversation
And il is a fact that, while in positions in the
hall man splitting his lungs TO be heard by the
Committee Of the Whole, cannot be understood by
his neighbor ten feet off, whisT4Red conversation
on the extre of the other side OF the house is dis
chamber, adapting it, far possible, TO the plin
cples of sound, and avoiding the innumerable
echoes of the present hall.
The Capitol, it now stands, has cost about
81, 225, 600 for the building alone. IL consists of
central building, and two wings, the whole length
of which is 352 feet. The architect of the public
buildings, Mr.. Robert Mills, man of genius,
taste, and long experience, has been called before
the Senate Committee, and the plans, drawings,
and explanations which he has presented are under
consideration.
He proposes to add an additional wing to the
north end of the Capitol, for the accommodation of
the Senate, and a corresponding wing to the south
end, for the accommodation OF the House. The
proportions Of each Of these wings are TO be 100 feet
north and south, 20 feet east and wes equal TO the
depth of the central building. Each Of these wings
giving addition of 100 feet TO the length OF the
Capitol north and south, they will, when COM
pleted, extend the whole length of this mag
ncent pile 10 552 feet and, with a porco at each
end. the whole length will be-equal to 600 feet.
These wings are not only intended TO embrace
the object OF new chamber for each House, but
the necessary accommodations for the people, for
committee rooms &c. and, besides, there are
many alterations proposed in the existing parts of
the building, such as the extension of the library
Of Congress, the establishment of a new library
room for the House, the Senate, &c.
The estimated cost Of these additions and alter
atoms Of the Capitol are;-
For the north, OF Senate wing. ......... s45o0oo
For the south or House wing ....... 45OOoo
Enlarging Congress library room. ........ 5000
Enlarging approaches to both Houses. 1880
The architect proposes also to extend the east
colonnade, at cost of $4,000, aud TO enlarge
CATER the style Of st. Peters at Rome) the central
dome, TO the extent Of a cost Of s3Jo,0o0. These
alterations, however, being matters of ornament
can be dispensed with but, II the government IL
TO stay here, the two wings proposed are indis-
pensabe, and the plan Of the architect preserves
the uniformity Of the edifice, while il very much
enhances its majesty and beauty.