Washington sentinel., 1854-04-28
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Capitol ExtensIon.-we recently publishe

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Capitol Extenslon.--We recently published
a statement of the cost of bricks used on this
work, in a form which has been construed to
throw blame upon the engineer in charge.
Justice TO him requires us to state that il is as
serted that after the failure of the contractor, he
bought all the bricks he could purchase in Wash
ington and that it was not till il was ascertained
that the daily supply obtained here was insufiici-
ent for the work that he was obliged to go 10 other
places and purchase upon the best terms he could
procure.
The prices were lower than Washington prices.
Freight caused them to exceed in cost those pur-
chased in Washington.
1t was not so much question Of the cost of
bricks as of the prosecution of the work, which
must have been delayed, and large proportion
of the mechanics and others discharged, had not a
supply been procured from other places.
AT the present time the work is going on by
means ofthe supply thus obtained.
There are not, it is said, bricks now for sale in
this city at .aadequate to the supply of this work
andprivate buildings generally are delayed for want
of material.
II is considered that the brcklaying, which en-
braces many groned arches and much difficult
work, executed in the best and most workman
like manner, and in style not often obtained from
contractors has been done at as cheap rate as is
possible.
The reason for releasing the contractor who
had undertaken TO do all the bricklayng for So 40
per thousand was, that il was certain that he could
not do the work decently well at that price, and
that he would have necessarily failed, as he who
undertook to supply bricks by contract upon trial
did fail.
This latter contractor with his sureties is re-
sponsible TO the United States for every dollar of
extra cost of bricks purchased to complete the
quantity he contracted TO furnish and to this
accountability he will, we learn, be held by suit
at the proper time, which will be when the ten
millions for which he contraced shall have been
received at the Capitol
Municipal Election.-On the first Monday in
June, there will be an election for mayor, council
men, and other corporation officers. From pres
cnt indications there will be lively contest AL
ready we have heard the names Of six gentlemen
who are to be brought forward for the first-named
station-all of them worthy, and perhaps qualified
for the discharge ofthe responsible duties pertain
ing to the chief magistracy ofthe city.
Heretofore there have been, on an average, at
least four candidates for every Office; and we pre-
sumo this will be the case in the coming contest
So ifgood selections shall not be made it will be
the fault the "sovereigns :" themselves.
Considering that we live at the seat of the gen
erdl government the great political centre, it
should be the aim Of every good citizen to elect
men best suited to the municipal business to be
transacted, both by matured judgment and deep
seated interest in all that is connected with the
city's prosperity; and not place in power mere as
pirants for what little distinction the situations
which they seek will respectively confer. We
hatter ourselves that we are not singular in this
expression of opinion.
Ifpossible, we would have maodel city govern
ment; one that would not unnecessarily impose
taxes, nor waste the money Of the people, drawn
from their pockets by the collector; one that would
studously endeavor to benefit the citizens al large
without regard TO the advantage off special few,
and otherwise conduct our affairs so as not only TO
elicit general commentator Of the result, but to
reflect credit upon all who participate in the ad-
ministration.
Stationers' Hall.-The present proprietor Of
this we-known stationery, music and fancy store,
Mr.. w. @. Zantzinger, has recently made such i'm
provements TO the premises and additions to his
elegant assortment of goods, as to render his es-
adjustment one Of the best Of the kind in the
country. There is brightness and neatness there
ahoufs
or the mere visitor to say nothing of the polite at
tentons of the proprietor and his gentlemanly as.
sistants.
The day of small dingy windows, and dusty
counters and Shelves and fish-o lamps, has past
forever from among the classes of enterprising
merchants; and they who would succeed must re
pudiaie the old fogyism Of the past, and adopt
the fresh and warm practices of progression,
consonant with "the spirit Of the age.'
Among the many pretty things in Mr. Zantzing-
ers store, we noticed a statuette of Daniel Web.
several months before the decease of the great
statesman. Nothing the kind could be truer to
the life. AS work of sculpture alone, it elicits
general praise.
Death Of Mr.. GreenhOW.-The steamer H.
linois, which arrived at New York on Tuesday,
from Aspinwall, brings the intelligence of the
death of Robert Greenhow, esq, which occurred
at San Francisco on the 9th of March He was
in the ffty-fourth year Of his age Before his re-
moval TO California, he was the librarian and trans
lator of the State Department in this city, and,
while there, was the associate law agent of the
United States.
Sunday School Celebration.-We learn that
at recent teachers meeting, held in the Fourth
Presbyterian Church, il was voted that there be a
grand procession Of all the Protestant Sabbath
schools of this city on the third Monday in May.
There will be appropriate exercises at the Capitol,
provided the privilege of the grounds shall be OBJ
tanned for that purpose
The Lecture of the Rev. w. III. MiIburn,
on Wednesday night, the subject being g Young
America" was well attended by both ladies and
gentlemen, considering the state of the weather.