The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-27
nxrAIa OF rnx paxsrprsr's ROUSE, ETC.

REPAIR OF TIL. PRKsIDENr's ROUSE, ETC.
Out of the appropriation of y 1000 for this object
for the present fscal year, have been obliged to
pay about $4,000 Of debts contracted by my pre-
decessor long before the year commenced 1t was
therefore, impossible to do what was indispensable
for the preservation of the house and its officers
without further means There wns unoxpcnded
balance OF the appropriation made for "painting
the Capitol" which applied to The Hon Secretary
Of the Interior to have transferred to the repair
of the Presidents House" My request was grant
ed. and the sum of $3.5Ol II was accordingly
transferred.
The house ia now in better order than it has been
for many years, but much yet remains to be done
to make il comfortable in the winter season.
The furnaces do not afford sufficient heat, and
common stoves have been introduced into the pas
sages. The method of warming by heated water
Is about to be tried in the Patent Office building
and. II 1t shall anwer as promised there, would
advise that the Presidents House be heated by sim
liar means. The ventilation Of the basement story
is yet imperfect, and will remain so fear, until
suitable furnaces are constructed for that purpose
The following repairs and Improvements are
for them accordingly: Repair of roof and CHM
nsys, relaying tagging at the north front; repair
ing detective stone at the base Of the building;
tension OF east wing of offices for carriage house;
filling up the northeast and northwest parks; lay
ing brick walks from the house to the Treasury,
War and Navy Departments; cleaning and paint
ing the inside Of the house; painting outside blinds
to the south windows, and repairing gravel walks
The improvements and repairs made during the
past year have been: Extending the west wing Of
the offices for wood depot; cleaning the house
from garret to cellar and whitewashing; repairing
the roof and fitting new lead conduits for the rain
water to the csterns, with their appurtenances,
force pumps &c; constructing new pantry, dumb
waiter, sink and boiler; laying new drains and
paving around the stables and yard with brick and
stone, repairing old stables and building for
cows; building watch house; new iron gates to the
northeast and northwest parks; repairing pave
ment gates and entrance roads on the north front,
and many other common repairs about the house
and grounds.
In addition to the amount estimated for the ne 1t
fiscal year, have asked for 81 200 for the
der OF the present. there being nothing now
expended.
WINGS OF THE PATENT OFFICE BUILDING.
For this work the Commissioner of Public Build
ings is merely the agent OF the honorable Secre-
tary of the Interior to make and disburse
the funds. Thomas U. Walter, ESQ.,, the Archi-
tect Of the Capitol, has been appointed by the Sc
cretary To take charge OF the architectural depart
ment of this work also, and by his talent and per-
severance has made arrangements to>secure the
completion OF the building, except the east portico
by the lst of July next. He will doubtless present
detailed report of the present condition of the
sast wing, for the completion of which, except the
portco. ! have asked further appropriation Of
900. MIR. Walter will submit plans for the
for $l5O.OOO as the amount which can advantage
ously be expended upon it during the next fiscal
year.
With the view Of rendering the centre conform
able to the wings Of this building, and protecting
it from damp, propose to cut down its basement
windows, dress off the "rustic work" }" and pave an
area around it. For this object have asked an APP
preparation OF 81 500
PAINTING the EXTERNAL wALLs OF THE TREASURY
AND PATENT OFFICE BUILDINGS
The walls of these buildings have received three
oosts OF paint and oil. which not only beautifes
their appearance, but will arrest the exfoiintion
which had commenced upon the face Of the stone.
A conside BILE portion of the sandstone in the walls
of these buildings Is OF inferior quality, and will
require To be painted every sixth or seventh year
The appropriation being sufficient for the purpose
have also painted the outside wood work and the
exterior OF these edihces is now in good condition
| RAIsIsa THE cHrMSEys or rHw SOUTHEAST rxEcu-
TIVE BurLpIso AND REPAiRrSo THE sTrrs.
The appropriation for this object was 23. 900,
but the work has been done for 3 1875 81. The
many valuable papers in the basement rooms OF
this building (the Treasury were not from
evil disposed persons. who might desire to have or
destroy them, there being nothing but ordinary
glazed sash in the windows. With the approba
ton Of the honorable Secretary OF the Treasury.
have placed neat cnst-iron guards in all the base
ment windows, and, being painted. they or
namental as well IA very useful These coz,
81 Ill So and were paid for out Of this appropra
tion-sti leaving oft $500 6s unerpended.
cAsT-IRos PENCE from TBs psPAsTsKsr OF sTATs
TO THE PRKsIDgNT's 0ATK.
The act sppropriaung S3.oOO for tins object de
scribes the character OF tho fence. therefor. M
viied proposals for making and putting II up; and
having made a contract upon moderate terms, !
found that the sum appropriated was amply sufi
cient Go continue the ssne fence from the side
of the Preeidents gate 10 connect with that which
put up near the War Department ! therefore
caused the additional work TO be done. and now
the enclosure presents a uniform appearance from
the northeast corner of the Department of State to
the southeast corner Of the Navy Department O.,
cept the small portion between the north entrances
Of the Presidents square, which s made Of wrought
iron. The light iron fence which has now been re-
placed by the new ono, has been put up on dwarf
wall. division fences, between the grou nds OF the
War aud State Departments and the Prcsidspte
square. The iron work has all received three coats
Of paint. the last Of bronze green. The amount
paid out OF this appropriation TO 1T January is
S29a2 IS; and after the payment Of some accounts
not yet presented there will be 500 GOO of the
appropriation unerpended
RpBUIDIso ysofsy- y-BoU-s ON CAPITOL sIIL.
Two plans were presented upon which 10 recon
strUct this house. The one for two stories high.
with tower for bell; the other for three stories
without the tower. The latter was adopted the
FIRE company for vhose use IL IL rebuilt paying a
small part of its cost in order to have room for
library. The work was done by contract for the
sum appropriated
THr wAsHIsGTos IsFIpMApv
This excellent institution continues 20 fulfil ito
engagements with the Government in the most
Satisfactory manner. IL has received forty two pa
tents during the year, under permits from this
objective Of whom have died. thirty two have
bsen discharged. cured, and FIVE remain under
treatment. The Law lirnits Its beneicent provisions
to those pauper patients only who are frans,snf /;
but the benefits of the institution have been grstu
itously extended to sixty other patients, whose resi
dence here for a longer or shorter period deny TO
them the right OF claiming those benefits
The largest number Of persons admitted under
the authority Of this office unfortunate foreigners
drawn here by the hope Of getting employ yment
from the Government, and being taken SICK, or
meeting with accidental injury, and having no
friends To provide for them, they most thankfully
avail themselves Of this benevolent provision of the
Government.
IMPROVEMENT OF AVENUE AND eTREsTs.
Nso yrsey Avenue South Of the Cap,foi-Tbe
appropriation for completing THE avenue from the
Capitol to street bss been expended and bss pro-
duced great improvement in the avenue itself
and has opened prospect from the base Of the
Capitol not before enjoyed. The foil width of the
| carriage WY has been brought 10 an improved
grade, and the footusys and CUTTERS have been
relaid 10 conform to il. The large culyert near r.
street has been extended castvsrdly TO the build
ing line and ts abutmen has been rebuilt
| in a substantial manner. The foundation is pro
| tected by plank flooring.
| Noo Jersey Avsnus North Of the Copitoi.- The
wo6k necesssry for the proper Improvement of this
| avenue has proved to be much more extensive than