Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-01-06

ON the same side, earnestly advocating the
striking to death the monster slavery.
Report of the Architect of the Capitol Ex-
tension.
The report of Thomas U. Walter, Esq, Ar
chitect Of the Capitol Extension, &c, to Hon
J.P. Usher, Secretary OF the Interior, Is a very
interesting one, giving In detail all the work
performe and all remaining to be performed
vet on the extension OF the Capitol, besides
much information regarding the extension Of
the Capitol grounds, &C., from which we make
the following summary:
The eastern portico of the north wing of the
Capitol is entirely finished, and presents
specimen of exterior marble work which has
probably never been excelled.
The eastern portico OF the south wing has
been very much retarded by the want of GER
tain blocks Of marble which were necessary to
render available the work already prepared
for the building. The most OF the material re-
quired for this portico has been delivered and
wrought; and, had 1t not been tor the delay
occasioned by the want of the blocks alluded
to, there would have been no difficulty in
ompleting this portion OF the work during the
present season.
Mr.. Walter says:-"Many plans have been
suggested for the extension OF these grounds
by the purchase Of additional land, and prop.
erty. holders have complained OF being kept in
part of the Government. MY own opinion is
that no additional property Is required. The
Government already owns to b street north
and south, from west list street to Delaware
avenue on one side, and New Jersey avenue
on the other; If, therefore, A street Is vacated,
and the circle extended to street north and b
street south, ample space will be obtained for
all the purposes OF beauty and utility required
by the Capitol.
81 have, from time to time. made plans for
various members and committees of Congress
for extending the grounds on the east, even
down to the Potomac, on the west to Sd street,
and on the north and south to q street, and
even as far as street. I have never, how
ever. sympathized with any OF these schemes
for a great enlargement OF the space around the
Capitol am of the opinion that the land
ALREADY owned by the Government, when in.
Guided within the Capitol Enclosure. will be
quite as extensive as will comport with the
convenience of a building used for legislative
purposes, and quite sufficient to give proper
effect to its architecture. The area OF the
present inclosure and when enlarged, as here
proposed, 1t will exceed al acres.
sin order to bring the subject OF the improve
ment OF these grounds more directly before you,
respectfully recommend:
First. That the Washington and George
town Railroad Company be authorized. by law
or otherwise, as the case may be, to remove
the track from the Capitol grounds, and to run
it along A street north to east First street, and
thence to Pennsylvania avenue, as shown on
the accompanying map; and further, that the
corners Of Capitol square be rounded, SO as to
ADMIT of q graceful and easy curve. By this
arrangement the Capitol grounds will be pre-
served intact, and the approach of the cars to
the north wing will be as near as 1t now is by
the track tTaversing the grounds.
sSecond. That authority be obtained from
Congress for grading the streets on the north
and south, and for vacating street on either
side as soon as the new streets are prepared for
travel
"Thlrd. That the Washington and George
town and the Metropolitan Railroad Compa-
mics be directed to conform their tracks to the
new arrangement, and to locate the same so as
to leave as much OF the roadway as possible
free for other vehicles.
be commenced, north and south, from the Cap
itol to B street, with the view Of continuing the
terraces as indicated On the map.
the entire SPACE in front Of the Capitol to the
line OF the present railroad track with granite
blocks, leaving an enclosed circle for foliage
and fountains opposite each connecting cor.
ridor
"Sixth. That arrangements be made for en-.
closing the Capitol grounds with suitable rail-
ings, lodges and gates Of entrance.
sin order to put these improvements in
hand, and carry them on through the ensuing
year. it will require special appropriation Of
"The final completion of the work of the
dome has been very much retarded by the
want OF suitable workmen. The construction
is complicated and difficult, requiring great
care and skill. The masses OF iron to be ham
died are heavy, and the great height at which
the work is executed increases the difficulty of
maintaining the proper gangs Of workmen.
The work has, however, advanced steadily,
and without accident, and but q few weeks
pletion.
1.-THE exterior is entirely finished, except a
small portion OF the base, which was omitted
In the construction to give place to the steam.
engine and hosting apparatus; as soon as these
can be dispensed with they will be removed,
this purpose being all fitted and made ready
for their places. All the exterior scaffolding
is removed, andthe outside painting is finished.
The interior ceiling is likewise completed, and
Its massey and elaborate finish cannot tail to
impress the spectator, at least with a concep-
ton Of the immense labor it has required to
produce it. The fact should not be lost sight
Of that this ceiling, as well as the entire struc-
ture, inside and outside, is wholly composed
Of iron
.The remaining work TO be done consists of
the construction of the iron stairways leading
from the attic story of the centre building to
the drum Of the peristyle, and the stairs to
lead from the spring OF the ceiling to the
platform Of the tholus or lantern The mate
rails for these stairways are all prepared; it
will, therefore, req uire but short time to con-
struct them The apparatus for lighting the
dome with gas, and the interior painting; also
remain to be completed.
"The aggregate weight Of iron which has
been put in place since the date of my last an:
nual report is 7el,2T pounds; and the total
quantity which has been delivered for the
dome from the beginning OF the work to the
present date amounts to s,s7s,N3 pounds; All
the castings for the entire work are completed
and delivered at the Capitol.
s1n order TO make finish OF the Capitol, it
will be necessary to remove the present wood
en- cupolas from the center building, and to
reconstruct the entire roof; also to remove the
immense stacks Of chlmneys which now dis.
figure the work. The finish which IL was in
tended to give to the roof Of this part OF the
Capitol, at the time the design for the extern
sion was adopted, is shown by wooden mod
ell of the entire structure, which was made
when the wings were commenced, and is now
in this office.
"The necessity for this improvement is two
fold-frst, as a matter of taste; the present un-
slightly structures which disfgure the top OF
the old building, are altogether inconsistent
with architectural propriety, and have been
added from time to time since the work came
out of ths hands OF its original architects; and,
second, the whole of this roof with all the
constructions connected with it, are composed
OF wood, and are liable at any time totake fire