New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-11-25
MPROyEMENTS or THE CAPITOL At
ALBANY.
,sonassee Of The n. Y. Tribune.

coyrrssondssee Of The n. Y. Tribune.
ALBASr, Nov. 20, 1859.
The repairs begun during the past Summer at the
Capitol rapidly approaching completion, and
the buildihg inside and out wears a new and improved
appearance The dnpdated fight of steps in front,
long picture ruin, and the of many lndcrous
ground and lofty tumblings by absorptive soons,
as they went up or down. has given way to entirely
new and handsome flight OF broad steps of brown stone,
much wider and less steep than the old one A neat
iron railing viii be put up either side, as guard
and protection to those who may have occasion to use
il. The brown-stone pavement Of the portico has
been removed, and in s place tile OF similar nature
and character to that in the hal and corridors of the
CAPITOL have been laid down. This, with the steps,
adds not little to the beauty of the entrance.
Within the workmen have been busily engaged in
preparing the Assembly Chamber for its occupants.
The old chamber YOU will recollect, was last inter
in state of decay, With every indication that would
become a of ruins if not repaired The rafters
that supported the ceiling much decayed at the
epds " hch rested in the walls that they gave way,
the ceiling sagging several inches. And It was not
uIAl huge aud unsightly beam was placed m the
center of the chamber 10 support the ceiling, that the
members willing 10 resign the pleasing convection
ttsi the greater part of the combined wisdom OF the
State was doomed 10 be sqneehed by sudden fall OF
the raffers and ceiling over head. II under this
sense OF Impending danger that the authority for these
repairs was given. This old ceiling has been entirely
removed and rafters laid and ceiling constructed
The present ceiling il three feet higher than the
old one, which geiys the chamber an airy appear
ae unlike that heretofore. What the acoustic effect
of this will be has not been tested but n not found
ths il will be any difficult 10 hear than before.
The masOns have completed their portion OF the
wefk, and the painters have now possession OF the
Hail. The walls and ceilings are to be frescoed in oil
and enough has already been accomplished to satisfy
US that il will be greatly improved in appearance there
by. The walls are Hastily paneled in drab and
81 $50 knNs dino
which i more appropriate in hotels than in Legislative
halls. TIE minds Of the Members should not be ex-
cited by profuse display OF gold, even on the walls
The ceiling is paneled and decorated with rosettes,
aE'.fouf eagles, Sustaining the Inevitable shields
rsngBd around the center-pose, guarding the VEN
tilaior which is six feet in diameter, and con-
cealed from view by light holding in plaster. From
this yentlator large chandelier ~ suspended cacu-
lated to throw a clear and strong light on all parts Of
the chamber. The floor will be newly carpeted, but
the curtains and dapery about the Speakers desk are
the old ones brushed up and newly lined They Will
hardly be in keeping with the walls. The old desks
and chairs are TO be Vanished and repaired and placed
IN their former positions When ready for occupation
il will be one Of the handsomest and most cheerful
Legislative halls in the Union Mr. Rice is the fresco
srtist and the whole is being carried under the inn
mediate supervision and control OF Governor Morgan
and Controller Church.
Six new cOmmttee-room1> awe been constructed on
the second floor, directly oy&the Assembly Chamber.
They are not very high but will be found TO be quite
cOnIOTaOit. Two ol Oh thc rVutn riuO' ="
be lighted by sky-light in the roof. These will be
ready for occupation by the Let of January next.
Tie apparatus for indicating the hour of meridian
is being erected the Capitol The flagstaff has been
removed, and wOrkmen now engaged in putting up
a large mast, upon which the time-ba which is some
Fix feet in diameter slides This ball is so fixed at the
top Of the mast that current Of electricity, passed
through an electromagnetic, detaehes it, and il mmedi-
ately falls wire is already run from the Capitol to
the Dudley Observatory, which furnishes the time.
The wire then attached clock, which IL so ar
ranged that when the hour of twelve arrives the cur
rent is passed through the wire acts upon the magnet
which detaebes the time-ball at the Capitol, which
instantly falls II is all done by machinery, and if
everything in order, the ball must drop at noon,
daily A wire will be from the observatory to
connect with the New-York and Buffalo Telegraph
Coupanys wire, which will be attached to the time
ball on the Merchants Exchange, New-York. This,
fear will not work regularly, and with precision.
Storms are liable suspend operations and frequently
the lines will not work for hours at time Lightning
would prevent the operations Of the wire, and very
ike deach the ball before the proper moment. This
will undoubtedly be guarded against, but i cannot
be entirely prevented. The me-ball will be in opera
ton here, in week or two. ONEIDA.