The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-01-03

InH NEw HA1L4-~WoskInen have been diiiscnfy en-
gagged since the ii the Christmas recess
ia advancing the completion Of the apartments desls
mated fos the use o the officers of tho House Repre-
seu~tiyes The rooms VI the Speaker the s<rgesnt at
Arms aud the Dooskeefes finished and arc now he
lag furnished. -Four spacious roonA.. awarded 10 the
Clerk Of the Houss snd his ssstanss viii not probably
he ready loI occupation t-foge the ist Of March
A room near the House hall has been arranged
branch Of the HOUSE library, and will be ready icr The
u. OF members when Congress again In session Two
rooms in the bower story have ben fitted up ior public
Documents and books, which being transferred
there The folding department will not be removed from
the old Capitol at present
The reporters have nearly all been up To inspect the
progress made in fitting up tbs gallery assigned them,
aud appear to be very we'll satisfied with the arrange
msnt-the especially it is said that Mr. Speaker
Orr intends all regularly connected with ..the
press excluded.
CrY srArlsrIcs The National Integencer of the LIST
instant contained the annual statistical table prepared
by the venerable John Sessord who himself has grown
up with the city and who has watched its progress with
paera solictude Ii appears from that in addition
the erection OF public buildings and other improve
by the general government the city authorities
and private individuals have done much to build mp and
10 carry out the original design for the national me
tropos
II appears that during the year 1857 hundred and
forty three brick dwelling houses and fifty eight wooden
erected making t~o hundred and one in all
Forty mine OF these in the secood ward and thr
teen in the sixth The total number OF dwelling houses
at present within tho city limits nine thousand
hundred and seventy lone
Nkw YRARs DAy.--1he weather New Years Day
genial and spring like, tempting abroad almost the
entire male population Of the metropolis and large num-
ben of ladies The Vice President heads Of departments
the Speaker Of the HOUSE, and such senators loca
ted in the city, generally visited by the officials
who waited upon the President and by their
friends and acquaintance. Many of prominent ct
also kept sopen house, and there very gen
ers interchange of cyiies and cordial greetings with
happy freedom from ntemperance rowdyism. Every
seemed in good spirits and filed with the hope that
W have entered upon happy New Year
COMMISSIONER BLAxs's RxroKI.-We invite the atten
ton OF city readers TO the able report of the Commits
of Public Buildings detailing his official operations
during the past year The Office is an arduous one
the Commissioner often placed between the interests of
the general government and the desires of the citizens
but DIR Blake has succeeded in guarding the and in
gratifying the others Identified and acquainted with
the metropolis he has exercised his functions to
contribute to It's establishment and to the comfort of his
citizens and trust that Congress will take his
suggestions into consideration, and act upon them.
NEw Crr Posr OFrlcs-H will be some days before
the city post Office is ready for occupation and
recommend readers to profit by the delay and pay it
a visit 1t has been fitted up under the direction Of Col
Benett the efficient postmaster Of Washington and win
provo very convenient for the public we for those
officially engaged The arrangement for sorting letters
facilitate distribution to those calling for them is
very ingenious and another way Of saving time and labor
in distributing letters into the different mail bags is
worthy Of notice The style OF ornamental decoration Is
rather gaudy to suit most people but the fixtures and
working tools Of the Office plain substantial and
in good taste.
MASONIC w arlington Lodge No. 20, at Alexandria,
oelebraed the anniversary Of ST. John the Evangelist by
a supper at the City Hotel This Lodge is in possession
Of several interesting relics Of that eminent master in
days past General George Washington, which well
worth visit from brethren o the mystic tie
SoSs on MALrA-Ths rapidly increasing benevolent
order has been instituted in Baltimore and in
formed that members Of it in this city endeavoring to
procure suitable hall for its ceremonals here.
IHrRovMxST tagged crossing is being laid across
third street. In the line Of the sidewalk of Pennsylvania
avenue. We hope to tai. improvement generally
carried out many Of the crossings in bad cond
ton.