The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-01-13
The New senate Cha mbrr.

The N. Y. Hrad gives the following
description Of the new Senate Chamber
The general aspect Of the new hall is
light and graceful, In shape and dmen.
siOns il is similar 10 the new Hall OF Repre-
sentatives, but to the eye appears more finely
proportional. The style and character Of
decoration are nearly the same in both houses,
except that in the Senate the tone Of color
is much more subdued. The area Of the
floor is so feet by 49 feet, and Of the roof
ll2 by so feet, the difference being occupi-
ed by continuous gallery around the four
sides Of the apartment, and capable Of seat.
ing !, 200 persons. The inner roof or cell.
ing, Of iron, Is Hat, with deep pannels, TWEEN.
ty-one OF which are fitted with ground gllS,
having in the centre OF each pane colored
medallion representing the printing press,
steam engine, cornucopia, and other symbols
Of progress and plenty. The light is sup.
piled wholly through this window in the
roof and the effect is good-a food Of hight
falling on the reverend signers on the floor,
while the galleries remain in half shadow.
The gas apparatus is placed above the cell.
x,
panes may seem like soflcned effect OF sun.
light. The ceiling is thirty five feet from
the floor. but presents an appearance OF
greater altitude. IL il eucrusted with floral
and other embellishments in high relief, and
all OF iron. The floor OF TIE chamber is
covered with 100 yards OF tapestry car
peting. having a large pattern Of flowers on
apurple ground. It's effect is not unpleas'
ing. Had time permitted Garnet would
have been manufactured Of color and de.
sign to harmonize--as, for instance, OF red
stars on buff ground. The Wee Presi-
dents desk is a modest table, OF mahogany.
as unlike as possible to the marble bar on
which the honorable Speaker pounds. The
places Of Senators are arranged in three
rows.
The spectator galleries are upholstered
in drab damask, rather too blue in tone for
good effect Ample accommodation u sup
piled, even 10 the extent OF a ladie-' robing
room. Access t0 tbs galleries is obtained
through doors Of maple, inlaid with bronze.
The gallery set apar, for the press II fitted
with desks for about twenty persons. and 1t
is understood that no ore vii be PERMITTED
within it unless specially accredited by the
Vice President.
When the dust Of few sessions shall have
taken the gloss of it, ana the genus ioci had
time to settle himself, there can he little
doubt that this new chamber will be iouDd
in every way more fitting than the old.
The wings OF the Capitol being Of the Ro-
man Corinihian order of architecture, the
interior fittings and decorations are OF
course, in harmony herewith. The ball it,
Sli is approached by two grand s,alrways-
the east, Of IenLessce marble The vest en-
tireiy Of white marble, Of extreme purity
Neither IA yet completed, but enough IS
shown BY the broad marble steps, the mass
i've ballstraJes OF the same material ard
the superb columns, with Their capitals
heightened with bronze. 10 Indicate the mag
nlficencc Of the design Both stairway are
lighted from The root, with special atsp,a-
ton 70 the walls being covered wi,h histori
cal paintInzs. lbls situation IL considered
the most favorable IN the bgilding Tor s,me
work o, 81 recording the deed. Of his;ory.
The SeEalcrs retiring room anj ante
chamber are the most highly finished rooms
in the Capitol. They are IN totally different
styles. The retiring room !. eniireiy Of mar
be, the roof supported by eolumr- of rare
beauty. 1t - impo~-ib.e to desire any feet
more cha.,e Than thu apartment, presents.
With the cold glitter OF ~ walls ard root.
"unsi 3rned, adorned the mot Ibree mir.
rors, inserted a. paasis ia the ssll aye zach
OF the dirnensloa. OF 20 ncbe- n height by
60 inches vide The anikroon j. excessive
ia oroamea,s,in0, and = ye, antni.kl Ths