The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-28

in the absence Of report from the superintendent
will state from observation how far the work has adj
yanced The exterior and most the interior wallsof
east wing have been carried TO the height Of the
over the cellar turned. The materials used thus
far are deemed to be of the best quality, and the
workmanship seems 10 combine all the requisites to
insure strength and durability. The walls above
ground on the street line outer front, are faced
with white marble, and those to the interior Of the
square with granite, both Of which are from quar-
ries in Maryland, near Baltimore, and are pro-
the country. consider their selection. although
not in keeping with the material Of the original
building, exceedingly judicious; and for the rea-
sons stated by the Hon. Zadock Pratt In report
and Grounds, in the House Of Representatives at
the Sd session of the 25th Congress- That report is
carefully prepared, upon diligent and impartial in
curry and fully nstains the views presented in the
annual report of the Secretary of the Interior
the relative fitness Of marble, granite, and sand
stone In the construction Of public edi6ces. The
foundation walls of the west wing ready for the
ton Of its main walls is still farther advanced The
time within which the contractors have stipulated
to complete their respective engagements is more
limited than is usual in such large undertakings
made, no apprehension need be felt upon this point
If means for the resumption Of work early in the
sprung be timely provided. And take this occa-
sion to say, that in my opinion the public interest
Wouiu Uc STcutly pIOulOtcO IL HI dppTOpTla-
tions for expenditures in the city Of Washington
were made in advance of the passage the general
appropriation bills. As the case now stands, at
long session Of Congress, these appropriations are
seldom if ever, made until the season for mechan-
cal operations 10 too far gone to admit Of their being
advantagcously applied.
OTHER PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
Having spoken somewhat minutcly of the recent
improvement In and about the Capitol and Prcsi-
dents house, and of the wings which are being
added to the Patent Office building, / consider Il
appropriate if not my duty, to direct the attention
of Congress to the condition of the other public
buildings in this metropolis OF these, the Trea-
sury, General Post Office, and Patent Office build
ings comparatively of recent construction.
They fre-proof, and the only buildings of their
class having any pretension to architectural taste
and proportion And of these, the Post Office is
justly regarded as the most chaste and uniform in
its constructions and is the only Of all the public
buildings Of indestructible materials. Marble and
granite were used in its construction, while sand
stone similar to that Of the Capitol and Presidents
house-but apparently of an inferior quality is the
chief material of the Treasury and Patent Office
buildings. With view TO the preservation of
these two buildings, it is indispensabiy necessary
to be done at an early day. The interior of these,
and the interior Of the Post Office building also,
with the woodwork and plastered walls and cell
ings Of all of them, might be judciousy repaired,
and clcanscd and painted at the same time. The
cost of these improvements, and of putting the
buildings generally in good condition would not,
should think, although fhave made no critical esti-
mate, exceed 8 10000. 56a
substantial, but not fire. proof except in the base
ment The Navy Department building is much
older than either of these, and by no means as
strong, or as well secured against destruction by
fire. Neither of them, however, is either secure or
commodious enough for its present use, and the
construction of other and more suitable buildings
in their stead has several times been the subject of
executive recommendation to Congress. If this is
Iv ~. Aeta
able time, 1t may properly be considered whether
1t would be judicious to authorize any repairs or
improvements upon the present buildings or their
appurtenances, other than such may be Of tenn
porary necessity. The fences Of their respective
enclosures are for the most part however, in very
decayed condition, and should be reconstructed.
In what manner this shall be done, whether of
wood or iron, Congress must OF course decide. Yet
there ia little doubt in my mind that fences iron,
although much more expensive at first than any
other, arc, in view Of their greater durability and
permanence. in the end much the cheapest.
IMPROVEMENT OF INDIANA AVENUE AND a. STREET.
The sum of 500 was appropriated by the last
nue. from Third street to the Capitol hill, and CON
structing culvert under the same" The work
thus directed to be done extends over distance of
some 400 feet and IL l60 feet in width About two
thirds Of II, commencing Mt Third street, Is over
deep rsvine, through which a stream of water
flows. To conduct this TO the 1ibcr, it's point Of
discharge, the construction Of the culvert men
toned was rendered necessary. The length of this
culvert is $50 feet from its beginning 20 the point
where il will connect with a transverse culvcrt
which must be constructed, in order.to pass the
waters Of the Tiber under the avenue, where II
crosses that stream The construction Of the cul-
vert and the great depth Of filling rendered the
improvement Of this avenue thus far heavy and
pcnsive. About four hundred feet Of the work had
been done, except the graveling, by my prede-
s 10 before my sPP1ln,ent ,ss as
S5,2l5 %. With this the culvcrt has been
tinucd, and part of the cmbankmcnt made-about
450 feet TO point near its intersection with the
Tibcr; the cost Of which, including some subsc-
quent repairs necessary 10 the preservation Of the
work. has exceeded the amount which came into
my hands, and Of coursc the appropriation. by
S422 9s. An additional appropriation Of about
10000 Is required TO this excess, and COM
peto the improvement in the manner indicated.
An appropriation of $3.50 was made Mt the
same time that for Indiana avenue, for grading
and graveling Four and a-half street, from Mary
land avenue 70 the Arsenal grounds, and tagging
the west side'' thereof This work had been far
done under the supervision OF my predecessor in
Office, as 10 be ready 10 receive the covering Of
gravel, and the tagging laid ss directed. The
balance of the appropriation left for my disburse-
ment was, consequently, $2,l01 o.. The gravel
ing was commenced by me, and advanced to the
extent Of the means at my disposal, which proved
insufficient TO cover the carriage-way in its whole
width. To complete this, Il should be com
pleted, 81 200 more will be necessary, and should
be appropriated. t
GAS LIGHTS.
Appropriations, amounting in the aggregate 10
$4,000, made at the first session of the last
Congress, for laying gas-pipc and purchasing the
necessary fixtures for lighting the Capitol and Cap
itol grounds, Pennsylvania avenue, and the Prosi
dents house, with gas. The work was so far adj
vapced towards completion, when was appointed
70 the duties Of this Office, under contract made
by my predecessor with the Washington Gas Light
Company and others, 10 leave but little TO be
done under my supervision. II Is now complctcd
and tho pipes which convey the gas were, the
act making the appropriation directs, "fully and
sufficiently tested and proved before they were
ceived" from the contractors. The cost has, how
ever, exceeded the sums appropriated, but have
not been able yet TO ascertain The precise amount
Of the excess. In my estimates furnished 10 the
Treasury Department ! have stated il at 81 800,
which will not probably cover IL. This excess has
been occasioned not by any want Of economy, but
results from the character Of the work itself, the
cost of which could not be computed with accuracy
until II completed and measured, according 20
the stipulations Of the contract A superintendent
was appointed by my predecessor and continued
by me, who inspected and directed the work dur
ing its progress and, believe, faithfully regard
cd the interest Of the Government
The several points where II was intended the gas
should be distributed have been lighted with il
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