The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-02

enon 10 the following article from the National lnlell-
gencer of the 9th instant
The ENLARGEMENT THE CAPIroI.-Several articles |
have appeared in the papers concerning this subject in
tended 10 urge hasty or premature conclusion upon a
plan for the building II is true that time time has
elapsed since the authority was gwen by law Tor be-
ginning but if shall be found that plan shall have
been adopted which will perfectly accomplish the objects
which Congress had in view in directing this enlarge.
men then II will be acknowledged by all that the time
occupied in thus investigating the subject has been well
spent The importance OF true and perfect understand
ing before beginning the foundation is so great that II
may be said relatively, that building OF that magnitude
when begun dright may be considered half done The
thorough bred and thinking architect views intellectually
the supeIstruce TO be supported by the foundation be-
fore he breaks ground Tor laying the cornerstone he
has TO view mentally (and 10 assist such view by cacu
aon and architectural poiecton) the objects TO be ae
compished in the erection oil the building and all the de-
tails requisite TO secure them and those who rush on in
considerably with the foundation without understanding
what may subsequently be required in the details OF the
building, or those who expect 10 arrive at successful re-
suit without seeing through those details from the base
to the climax, may find, when an immense amount OF
money shall have been expended, and much time spent,
that they have failed in their object and ruined their
cause.
Entertaining these views, consider that the Presi-
dent has been right in celebrating fully upon the sub
ject aud have no doubt all will be well if he will in
form himself sufficiently TO the msans, The plan, and
The system which may be necessary 10 attain the objects
in view, 10 w.t. The complete and comfortable
mediation OF the Senate and House OF Representatives
their respective halls, which they have never yet fully
enjoyed, that they may at all seasons of the year
when The snow blows, IN ram or IN sunshine-enIoy
pure and wholesome atmospheric where The leg sator.
the discharge OF hA arduous and conning duties may
breathe and speak freely without nhang the poisonous
gases deetsous TO health, and where his compeers
and the American people who may think proper listen
10 their representatives may hear distinctly what they
say These the main objects to be accomplished and
the best authorities saying that they must be
kept in view in the original construction OF the building
and from its very foundation, they cannot be secured
The next object is the arrangement of the windows so
that sufficient quantity Of light, and from the proper d.
Iecton be admitted into the halls The third object will
be the arrangement OF the rooms corridors, apartments
and galleries in such to afford the greatest pos
sble personal convenience In transacng the public bust
10 the committees the members and officers of The
two houses and those who may have business with
them, and to the public who may desire TO witness and
hear the proceedings and debates of Congress The fourth
object will be to 10 the Supreme Court, lis judges
the BAR officers, and audience, corresponding advantages
The fifth object will be to provide ample apartments and
room Tor the Congressional and Law Libraries, for the
want of which much Inconvenience has been and will
continue to be felt until this want be supplied The sixth
object will be the dimensions and the exterior elevation
of the new wings, embracing ample space for the por
approaches sairways, and on the several floors for
the apartments respectively belonging to them And the
seventh object will be such additions and improvements
OF the upper works OF The centre building hide and
remedy It's present determines.
To accomplish all these objects faithfully, none other
will succeed than thoroughbred, experienced architect
possessing knowledge OF the mechanical and scientific
branches of his profession and prompttude and energy
OF character calculated TO insure 10 the work the full ben
eft oil such qualifications and experience and, concu
sion may be said that the President will have made
good OF his time and OF the delay, should he select
such architect and place him upon the
ton OF his high and important duty Should he succeed
in this important STEP he will secure to the nation meal
but, the other hand should he fail, il would be diff
cult 10 calculate the evils which may result from such
misfortune WASHINGTON.
1t is manifest that this article must have emanated
from judicous friend OF the President, impressed with
the importance of making good beginning, and ex
cusng that functonary for the long delay which had Ia
ken place in selecting plan in the hope that good
would at length be adopted and beginning be made
which would give assurance OF successful and hap
Ply termination but, alas the friendly antcipations OF
Washington were destined TO be soon disappointed.
The appropriation for this object made the 3Olh Sep.
TENDER last is in the following words: i" For the exen.
sion of The Capitol, according such plan may be APP
proved by the President OF the United States, sOO OOO
be expended under his directions by such architect as
he ay appoint TO execute the same"
This left the subject entirely in the hands Of the Pres
dent and yet after the lapse OF nine months il does not
appear that any definite plan has been adopted although
sort OF beginning has been made indicating the outlines
OF " out house" for the House OF Representatives at
distance Of sirty feet from the Capitol This beginning
10 have been entirely forced (no plan having been
maured in order TO calm down the camos OF the people,
who were beginning 10 the unaccounabe delay
but which might have been longer delayed were il
deemed necessary 10 afford the Secretary OF State
(Mr. Webster) opportunity 10 make heroic display
on the part OF the adminstrao in Fourth Of july Grafton
over the OF one OF the intended out houses
From this circumstance II is evident that either the par
ties concerned intend this clubhouse 10 be nep C1pi-
toi, TO make political capital clubhouse This
out. house" be considered mere extension
the words OF the law, particularly by the strict con-
struconsis for rtconsrueng the old engine house on
the edge OF the Capitol Hill TO be part OF the
Capol" for il were no inydious corner stone" would
have been thought Of either with without the intention
OF weakening the grand and solemn effect which was
produced by the laying OF the cornerstone OF the Capitol
Of the United States by George Washington the Father OF
bis Country. more than half a century since.
Should the sane course be adopted for the Senate
then shall have another "corner. stone TO be "lad
Who shall lay il And when will the next Grafton be
made Or will one "corner stone do for the two tout.
houses 2" Ale we 10 have one old Capitol and tpo new
Copit0is2
plan is contemplated il nigh, be premature to say
upon that point than to express belief, from the
exterior lines indicated upon the ground that the space
allotted is inadequate, at least in direction, 10 AFFORD
to the Senate and House OF Representatives ample and
suitable halls OF legislation and indispensable surround
ing apartments and Offices for the convenience Of the pub
lie business. But, admitting that the space within the
outlines is sufficient s the individual appointed by the
President competent GIL up that space in the manner
proper 10 accomplish all the obecs that Congress had 10
view in making the appropriation and giving the sn-
thorityi Is this important TO depend alone upon
this individual Is this the individual who was
reiected nv the Senate as architect OF custom house
he the best architect that could be procured II not
,yoro tho considerations peculiar influences