The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-01-05
[FRoM OUR OWN cOKREspo NDEYE1

Your correspondent arrived at this place by the
morning train, by which also a number of mem
bers who had not previously reached the seat of
government came down. The cars were not so
much crowded as l had expected, and there was
not very large number of persons from your city.
Those who are familiar with the old Annapolis, will
be struck with the improvements which have re-
Gently taken place, not only in the government
buildings but also in the general aspect of the city,
The House has been enlarged by the addition of a
very handsome octagon library, Immediately in the
rear of the old one-large and well-proportioned
and admirably fitted to its purpose 1t is approach
ed from the rotunda by a noble flight of stairs,
which branch off at the first landing to the right
and lett, to afford access to the Governors room
and the Court of Appeals. Immediately under the
library is the letter Office folding room, &c. and
beneath that the State armory. Some or
elght Commlttee-rooms will be formed out
OF the apartments formerly occupied by the Regis
ter of the Land Office, Comptroller &C. The Hall
OF the House of Delegates is now a very handsome
and commodlous room, its size having been greatly
increased and its appearance in every way improv
ed. The gallery has been removed, and large
lobby, In three compartments, divided by the two
entrances into the hail. substituted The seats are
arranged in circular form, having the Chair as be-
fore: The room of the Court of Appeals, above
the House OF Delegates, has also been entirely re-
modelled, and is now very handsome apartment.
Among the most valuable of the improvements,
however the substitution of steam for wood and
coal in heating the entire State House, and light
| ing it throughout with gas. By this arrangement
not only is the comfort of everybody greatly pro-
NOTED, but the danger of fire to the premises rem
dered as small as the character of the building will
| admit. The new ire-proof record office is
| nearly completed, and is a remarkably substantial
and convenient building. tbs understood that al
| ready some ten thousand dollars have been ex-
pended beyond the appropriation for these i'm
provements, and it is computed that it will take at
| least thirty thousand more to complete them.
The attention of members, for the time being, is
more taken up with the distribution of the offices in
their control, than in the measures of the session.
| 1t is impossible to say what course will be taken
| with regard to the contested elections from this
| city. very large majority believe that
our election was carried by the grossest fraud and
violence, but some members seem to think that the
brief period of the session will not allow the House
to go into the details of contest, and that it is bet
| ter to attend to remedial measures exclusively.-
| This arises from want OF Information in regard to
| the outrages here; and when the evidence which
has been collected by the contestants shall be laid
before the House. different sentiments will doubtless
prevail. The legal evidence has been transmitted to
Annapolis and printed copies there will be ready
| for distribution in few days. Having been favor
ed with the perusal of abortion of it, do not hest
tate to predict that when it shall have been read by
the members all doubts as to their duty will van
ish 1t is impossible, think, with such facts be-
fore them, that they can hesitate to whatever
powers they may possess to vindicate the laws al
ready violated as well to prevent their violation
more effectually for the future. The Legislature
must net forget that it is the grand inquest of the
| State, and that there crimes of the past to be
punished as well to be guarded against hereafter.
observe Messrs. Stockbridge and Blanchard, on
the part of the contestants here who are very able
to take care of their was sorry to hear that
| the Governor was not by any means so well to-day,
and that serious apprehensons are felt by some of
his friends as to the result of his case. The mes
sage was expected to be ready upon the organiza.
| ton of the Houses, but d, not know whether the
Governors relapse will make any difference in this
respect. Rather good story is told of one of the
sitting members from Baltimore, who wrote down
to engage room, and shortly after came in person
to take possession of it. On going to his number he
was surprised and indignant to hear that it had
| been assigned to getleman from the other shore
On calling upon the proprietor for an explanation
he was informed that 'there was a mistake, that he
did not know the room was for Baltimore mem
Der, or he would have declined as it was his inva
riable rule only to let for the ,1hoe session.
| must remark, in conclusion, that an extremely
| inconvenient arrangement of the hour for leaving
Annapolis by the cars in the afternoon exists. The
train starts at twenty minutes to three, which i
generally before the Houses adjourn, so that it viii
be almost impossible, without change, to give ,
full report of each days proceedings. 1t is to b.
hoped that some change may be effected in thi
| particular.