Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1861-12-06
Public Buildings.

The report Of the Commissioner of Public
Buildings (B. B. French, ESQ y exhibits the
condition OF the several Interests conaded to his
charge
The Oceupassn Of ihs Capitol during the past
summer, by poraons Of the volunteer forces
necessarily caused some injury, which will re-
repairs.
The old portion Of the building needs outside
painting, as well to give uniformity Of appear
ance to the whole as 70 protect 1t from decay
A portion Of the basement OF the bUiiding q.
now used as a bakery FOR the army Although
this may be submitted to for a time az a military
necessity IL ought not to be permitted any Ion ger
than absolute necessity viii require Immediate
provision should be made TO transfer this useful
branch OF industry TO some other locality where
~ may be conducted without injury to the national
Capitol or annoyance to its occupants.
The subject Of the extension Of the Capitol
grounds has heretofore occupied the attention Of
Congress The private property necessary to
make the proposed extension has been apnraised
in conformity with the directions of an act OF
Congress, at the sum Of s4I7, ,594 90.
9. Inc P,DPnSy yd,,ass % msnag purchase Involving
mands upon toe Treasury for the support Of the
war have rendered a resort 10 direct taxation me-
ssary, must be determined by Congress The
Commissioner zealouslY advocates an early ap-
propriaton for that purpose, for reasons which
will be found upon reference to his report
The Improvements and repairs which have
been made upon the several public buildings and
other works during the past year will be ascer-
The Washington lnnrmary, located upon Ju-
dietary Square, was DESTROYED by hre on the
morning Of the ID inst. The fire IL supposed TO
have originated from accidental causes, and when
nrst discovered could have bssl readily extin-
guished by an efficient IRE department.
Congress, by an act approved Jane IS, 1874, d.
rected the Commissioned Of Public Buildings 70
allow the medical faculty Of the Columbian Col
lege 70 occupy this building, (which had before
been used as an insane hospital,) ''for the pur-
poses Of an inhrmary for medical instruction and
for scientific purposes, on condition that they
shall give satisfactory security TO keep the said
building In repair, and return IL with the grounds
70 the Government, In a. good condition a. they
are now In, whenever required 20 do so.n In
1853, Congress appropriated twenty thousand dol
lars Ito aid the directors Of w ashngton Indrmary
TO enlarge their accommodations for the benefit
OF sick transient paupefs This sum was ex-
pended In enlarging and improving the building,
which has since been under the control Of the
medical faculty, under the authority conferred by
the law Of l64l 80
During the last summer extensive hospital ac-
eommodstions having become necessary, nom
the large accumulation Of troops on the Potomac
al order was made BY this Department. TO place
the ouildllg under the control Of the War De-
pzrtment, 90 BE- used a. an army hospital IL was
secogdingiy occupied Tor that purpose up % the
time Of Us destruction. | do not consider that
any public necessity requires a reconsideration Of
the building. J1dIsia:Y y squafe, upon which u
10 situated, Was designed for oti er purposes and
10 the erection % an lnsrmsry should be eOnsid-