Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-05-03

DeHpGtd IN Ht rouse of heprtsenIdilpeS q
NashiagtOa April 10. 1864 on r,,oiufiO,
aPwopria ing $21 900 10 procure siaiua,y To-
The Old Hall Of Representatives.
Mr. Speaker, as had the honor to iDtroduc,
this proposition, desire to occupy the attention
ot the House for moment. The expansion o
our country from the old thirteen to the thirty
six States imposed upon us the burden as vel
as the privilege OF building and extending O
structure for the accommodation Of the legiela
tive branches OF the G1vernment, and approprl-
ate for the Capitol Of the foremost Republic o
the world. Tnls work 10 now approaching com.
plttion. Even war waged by rebels for the
destruction oil the Government has not retarded
Its progress for single day. The old Senate
Chamber has Teen already 6ttingly devO,ed to
the use Of the Supreme Court The old Hall Of
the House oi Representatives. empty and desert
ed remains an unapproprated waste, and as it
now apr Iears-draped in cObwebs, and carpeted
with dust, tobacco and apple pOmace,-a con-
spicuous nuisance.
Congress Is the guardian of this fine old Hall +,
surprising IN beauty all the rooms ot this vast
iiie, and should protect it from desecratiOn lbs
uOble coumns, IRON quarry exhausted and in-
capable OF reproduction
Nature form I'd but oss
Aud broke the die "a moidngi'
its democratic simplicity and grandeur OF style,
and ltt wealth OF association with many earnest
and eloquent chapters IN the history Ct our
country, deserves perpe,uity at the hands Of an
Amer can Congress. 1t was here that many Of
our most distinguished meD, whose tame " the
uurd tvould nnf IN tiIinuiv l.t a ~ ha.a, or
ended their career.
IL appears to me eninently proper therefore.
that this House should take the initiative in set
ting apart with reverent affection the Hall, so
charged with precious memories, To some pur-
pose oil usefulness and dignity. To what end
more useful OF grand, aud Ut the same time sim
pie and inexpensive, can We devote it than to
ordan that 1t shall be set apart Tor the reception
OF such s,atuary as each State shall elect 10 be
deserving OF this lasting commemoration Will
not all the States with generous emulation
proudly respond, and thus iuTnisn new evil
denoe that the Union will clasp aud hold forever
all its jewes-the glories OF the past civil, mil
itary and judicnl-ln one hallowed spot where
those who will be here to aid IN carrying ON the
Government may daily receive fresh inspiration,
aud new incentives
"ro scorn del ghls nd live lab1rious days -
and where pilgrims f.om all parts of the Union i,
us well as from foreign lands, may come and be
hold gallery filled with such American man
hood as succeeding gener .tlons will delight to
honor. ana sre also the actual form and mold OF
thoss who have inerasably fyed their names On
the pages OF history.
The sufferages OF no Slale will iail to be hon.
estly and iairly bestowed, for no local shams
will b, intruded where the judgment Of the
world is sure to be challenged, and where parti-
sanship loses its current value. We may reasoD-
ably expect that the State contributions, with.
out charge to the national Government, will
speedily furnish here in the Capitol OF the nation
q collection of statuary that will reflect honor
upon the llustrious dead, upon the Republlc
found 10 be neither ungrateiul 10 It's distn-
gulshod sons nor unmindiul of it's obllgA tions
and incidentally, it may be hoped, there will be
brought forth worthy monuments 10 the genius
OF the artists OF the country who will vie with
each other for distinction in the execution of the
various works which may be required.
The extension Of the Capitol has added 50
much space to existing Accommodations, that the
Old Hall is not requlr d as warehouse OF for
and i. is impossible to divide
and distribute il, il It were 20 required IN any
manner that will be satisfactory, or that will
not disclose an awkward, illbegot.on, ll.born,
second handed purpose, while IL IL shall be LETT
whole aud unmutilated as It now is, and only
decorated, as now proposed, with works of art,
it will appear as imposing and perfect as though
the idea sprung from the brain OF the architect
at the foundation of the Capitol
The proposition now before us is approved OF
by the Superintendent Of Public Buildings,
(Mr French, J and also, alter thorough scrutiny
Of all other plans, by the present accomplished
architect Of the CapItol extension, (Mr. Waller.
have yet to hear the first objection to tho pro.
position.
All the work required at present is new
aDor and a suitable bronre or iron railing for the
passage way. At some future period the gallery
nay have to be removed, but, AZ it was An excres-
,cuce at a start, or an after thought, not put up
lhtll the Hall had been cowpleted, there will
be no obstacle 10 it's removal OF its remodelnR
,s future convenience may require.
Before the Hall can have suitable light for
,tatuary new roof with more light will be nee
nssary but us The present root 10 wooden one,
almost entirely of cOmbustible mate
rials already dec 4, ing, u new hre-prool roof
will doubtless ,ro long be required. whatever
may be done with the HAL. This can, however,
BE- postponed as long rs It may be wise or safe to
~ ~, aud until the proper time, and then the
,0st will lie no greater 10 have it adapted TO the
lbp OF nov proposed than to any other.
We have u large amount OF excellent marble |
)t various descriptions lying about, not required
Tor the completion Of the Capitol, and therefore
otherwise useless, which can be used Tor the
loor at this time at less expen'e than Il will
,ser again be possible to obtain It, aud besldes
We have the machinery NV ready to cut and
inish II, provided IL shall be 80 determined.