Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-02-15
CONGRESS.
In SENATE.


SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1851.
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Mississippi, from the Committee on Pul
lie Buildings, to which referred the resolution of Il
Senate of the 26h September last in relation TO the enarg
Of the Capitol submitted report, which ordered
be printed.
The committee, in their report ssy that they have receive
and considered plans presented by many distinguished arch
tects and after attentive study and patient investigation
in which they aided by the explanations OF each arch
tect by whom plans presented they have concluded
recommend the addition of wings attached to the north an
south ends of the Capitol, and placed at right angles
its axis.
To the requirements of Congress without lmPairln
the beauty, disturbing the harmony, diminishing the eec
of the noble structure our fathers erected problem
extreme perpexity And will be readily perceived, sa
the commee ee that there must be much greater dhculy
devisiDg plan for the enlargement OF euidhg wncl
additions were not originally contemplated, than 10 deciding
upon for entirely new edhce In the examination
the complicated question submitted to them they have beer
governed by the following considerations
ls The purpose for which Congress authorized the
lsrsemsnt of the building This being the increased accom-
mediation and better adaptation the to which the ed
fee applied those considerations have been regarded as
paramount to all others The halls Of legislation should be
well suited to speaking and hearing and be properly arranged
for lighting, heating, and ventilation. Without these equi
sites the would fail in its primary ec and archi-
tectural beauty would but sharpen reproach.
3D. To adhere closely is compatible with the objects
be attained the architectural character and site OF the or-
ginal building, both Of which in rendered
sacred by having been selected by the first President Of the
United States. After having adopted plan for the buildings
General Washington fixed its location and this was the initial
point in laying out the plan Of the city, The centre OF the
rotundo before the addition of the western projection was
made was the centre of the building and is the radatDg
point from which the and four main streets dverge
the different paris of the city. The committee therefore
deem it an important element the choice OF plan Tor the
extension of the CAPITOL that the relation to its approaches
and points of should be maintained and this second
addition The building be made restore TO the Ioundo
the central position which it had in the original design
3d. Economy, the lowest expenditure consistent with
the object proposed This consideration though last pre-
sened held be not the last argument in favor of the plan
proposed by The committee By estimates submitted to them
appears that the mode of enlagng by wings would not
one-ha Of the which would be required for the
plan Of duplicating the Capitol finished with the necessary
connexions.
Guided by these considerations the committee have adopted
the mode Of extension represented in the plan which they have
submitted which combined from various sources, and espe
ciay from the drawing submitted to them according invita-
ons publicly gven the parts 50 taken from those drawings
after notifications by the committee, having been put in the
form presented by Mr. Robert Mills, architect in the
ployment OF the Government.
This plan the requisite accommodation, in
pact and convenient form. The amount of light will be
greater than the plan OF extension by duplicating the build
ing The wings will be exposed all sides the
nal air afford the most ready Of ventilation. Both
wings will have unobstructed view the eastand the
west having also exposure to the north, and the other
the south By retiring the WINGS the heavy embankment
will be avoided which would be necessary, if they
brought up the line Of the front of the present build
ing whilst, the other hand, there would be such
vaon would be required in the duplicate pan The
park will be unmutlated, and its preserved The
of the rotundo the radang point of the
and principal Streets WILL by the proposed extension the
east become the centre of the Capitol building The defect
Of the eccentric portion Of the dome, viewed from the north
SOUTH will be iemeded and this prominent feature will
appear securely adjusted the structure instead of pressing
with painful effect side The limit which the pre-
sent building may be increased 10 LENGTH without mparng
its architectural effect is believed to be within the space
qued for accommodation but by recedng the wings is
proposed the apparent length of the building in north and
south direction will be diminished and this objection against
the plan of extension by the Of the present wings
will be overcome.
The architectural character Of the present edce though
does invite nevertheless such to admit of additions
and it is believed that they may be made not only to harmo
nize with it, but TO heghen its effect In the plan proposed
has been sudousy sought to avoid interference with the
original design The beautiful ade will be preserved
and rendered not less imposing by the stronger light and sha
dow given by the proposed projections the 'front.' which
has become the principal one will be improved by the add
ton of the porcoes of the wings the north and south will
each present the view corresponding portco; and the
wings being brought into unity with the present budDg
imposing architectural front will be offered to every line Of
approach.
The committee has not attempted settle the minute de-
tails Of the interiors they are however, assured that a the
required may be certainly furnished by the
posed wings being attached to the present building and
der every part of available in connexon with the additions
The Chamber of the Senate and the Hall Of Representatives
may be arranged in the plan proposed to afford the
cessary space for members and galleries sufficient to contain
any probable number Of vsers, and to all the fac
ties for heating ghtng ventlating, and hearing which
atanable in such Nearly the whole of the projection
of the front may be appropriated to the Congessona
Library and the oom thus exposed to the light and air
three sdes will be increased nearly threeod. Th
desired accommodations for the Supreme Court and its Off
GERS may be obtained in the basement story Of the no
wing The number of committee which will be adde
is deemed quite sufficient for any anticipated want tn
number of committees will not necessarily or probably in
crease with the Increased number Of Senators and Repesen
taives The exterior Of the present building change
from the original design by increasing the light of the prnc
pal dome and aiding Of smaller size. 1t is proposed
restore as far may be- the classic beauty and simplicity
the first pan by reducing the principal dome and removn
the others and to break the long horizontal line Of the
by elevation each wing through which the Chambe
of the Senate and Hou-e of Representatives may be lighted
and to replace the small domes by any of the various mode
of lighting from the roof without raising prominent obec
above the building.
DISCIPLINE OF THE NAVY.
Mr.. BADGER. Mr.. President, reported the other do
from the Committee on Naval Affairs bill "to enforce d
cpne and promote good conduct in the naval service of h
United States" II is bill which drawn up by boar
Of officers of the navy, assembled in this city, and which, wit
corrections received the appreciation of the Naval Con
mttee and which they hope will receive the appreciation
the Senate The Senate that Congress has bee
urged at this session by the appropriate Department to speed
action this subject.
The bill is intended to afford substitute for the corpor
punishment which abolished by of the last
II is prepared. evident from the bill ITSELF
desire and effort the part Of the officers to carry out goo
faith the wishes and views Of Congress that subject
the Senate take the bill this morning, with the prom
fhat pviu do.aip hya