Monmouth weekly herald., 1859-01-20
The NEW SENATE CHAMBER.


The following is description of the
new Senate Chamber in the Capitol
The general aspect of the new Hall is
light and graceful. In shape and dimen-
sions it is similar to the new Hall of Re
presentatives, but to the eye appears
more finely proportioned. The style and
character of decoration are nearly the
same i'll both Houses, except that in the
Senate tile tone of color is much more
subdued. The area of the -four is 80 feet
by 49 feet, aud Of the roof 112 by 90 feet,
the difference being occupied by d con-
tinuous gallery around the four sides Of
the apartment and capable of seating
1900 persons. The Joiner roof or cell
ing, of ltoh, is fiat, with deep panels;
twenty one of which are filled with
ground glass, having in the centre of each
pane a colored medallion, representing
the printing press, steam engine, cornu.
copiae, and other symbols of progress
and plenty. The light is supplied wholly
through the window in the roof and the
effect is good, a food of light falling on
the reverend seignors on the floor, while
the galleries remain in half shadow. The
gas apparatus is placed above the ceilina
so that the light streaming through the
panes may seem like softened effect or
sunlight. The ceiling is 35 feet from tee
floor, but presents an appearance of gre.t
altitude. 1t is incrusted with fdtal and
other embellishments in high relief, and
all of iron. TIE floor of the chamber is
covered with 100 yards Of tapes,ry car.
peting, having large pattern of flowers
on purple ground. Its effect Is not an
pleasing. Had time permitted Carpet
would have been manufactured of color
aud design to- hafm6nise-as for inst ance
OF red stars On buff ground. The Vice
Presidents desk is modest table of ma
hogauy, as unlike as possible to the mar.
bic bar ON which the honorable Speaker
peands. Phe places Of Seustors are arr
ranged III three rows.
The spectators galleries are uphol-
stored In drab damask, rather too
blue in tore for good effect. Ample ae.
comnodations is supplied, even to the
extent of ladies' rebing room. Access
10 the galleries is obtained through doors
Of maple, inlaid with bronze. The gal-
lery set apart for the Press is fitted up
with desks for about 90 persons; and ii
| is understood that no one will be permit
ted within it unless specially accredited
by the Vice President
The wings of the Capitol being of the
Roman Corinthian order of architecture,
the Interior fitting and decorations are
| of course IN harmony Herewith. The
hall i.self rs approached by two grand
stairways the East of Tennessee marble
the West entirely of white marble OF
extreme purity. Neither is yet COM
pleted, but enough fs shown by the broad
marble steps. The massive balustrades
OF the same material, and the superb col
| umnS with their capitals heightened with
bronze Indicate the magniticence of the
design. Both stairways are lighted frons
the roof, with special adaptation to the
walls being covered with historical paint
ings. This situation is considered the
most favorable in the building for the
execution of some work of art recording
the deeds OF history.
The Senator's retiring room and antis
chamber are the most highly finished
rooms in the Capitol. They are in diff.
Eerent styles. The retiring room is en-.
tirely Of marble, the roof Supported by
columns Of rare beauty. 1t is impossible
to desire any effect more chaste than this
apartment presents with the cold glitter
of its walls and roof unadorned, adorH-
panels in the wall, are, each, Of the di-
menSions of 100 inches in height, by 60
inches wide. The anti-r room is excessive
in ornamentation and is yet unfinished.
The walls are divided by gilded work III
retieUo into spaces for fresco paintings
i The dome ceiling of the room rs paneiled,
each panel being Elled with foset;e Of
bnrnshed gold. The four spandhilsi
and the centre of the dome have aitsso-
rical paintings executed In superior
manner, and forming a contrast to Ger.
tain medallions in another portion Of che
building where one represents ceiestTat
4 being with d dislocated hip, and another
the Goddess OF melancholy daHcing the
| bolero.
The heating and ventilating arrange
ments are said TO be the largest IN the
world-those Of the Euglis1 House OF
Parliament not excepted. Every portion
of the Capitol-that mountainous mass OF
rnarble-is at once ventilated and warmed
by one apparatus. Eght boilers convey
steam to coils set in different places Of
the cellarage, supplying any required de-
gree of heat, and at the same tune motive
power, to two fans in either wing One
Of these fans sends continual breezes Of
mcdieated air through the small apart
ments, while the other performs the same
service for the Senate chamber. Thirty
thousand cubic teet OF air are circulated
4 through the Chamber per minute, which
quantity may be increased to eighty thou.
sand. The apparatus is completely under
control.