Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-10-21

TEE CAPiToL.-RtpOTt II tie Architect IN
.AGrg,.-A few days since we made brief men,
non Of the report of Edward Clark, Esq archi-
tsct IN charge of the United States Capitol Ex-
tension; but as II contains several important
suggestions relative 10 the Improvement of the
building and grounds. we now devote mora
space 10 the same. Dir. Clark states that all
he halnStrades and other exterior portions Of
The marble work have been set, and the greater
part OF that work trimmed and pointed. MANY
OF he passages and rooms have been painted,
ana a large tank placed in the loft of tue south
wing. for water supply 10 the centre building.
Larger pipes for the supply of Potomac water
have been provided. sewers have been put
down, and the archways under the porticoes
Paved-One with the Nicholson and the other
with the Burlew n Smith tar and gravel CO.
ment pavement. The chimneys have all been
capped, and two sets of water closets placed in
he north wing. besides various other repairs
and improvements. Mr.. Clark says: II is I'M
pOrtant that the question of the extension of
The central building on the eastern front should
De decided; for, In case II Is not authorized,
meas uTes should be taken at once to have the
pace III front improved. He submits plan
or the extension, which will provide the adj
0ltiODaI NUMBER Of committee rooms, &C. re-
CURED. The work of resetting the grarita
steps on the North, South, and West fronts has
teen deferred In the hope that the question of
lhhhlbg an air duct from the Eastern grounds
II ny De- adopted He believes such duct would
ado much to the comfort of the halls as a
cooler, and purer air could be obtained. The
bronze doors, from models designed hy Craw-
ford have been moulded and finished at the
factory of James L. Ames. ESQ ChIcopee
Mass, and are now ready for shipment, and
VIII probably be in their place before the next
meeting of Congress. In the central portion
of the building coils for healing the lower
passages have been supplied and the old steam
boiler and pump with which this part of the
building was supplied with water have been
removed. and in their place a system of water
pipes attached 10 the tank In the South
wing which insure an ample supply of water
10 this part of the building. and at the same
time does away with the noise, inconvenience,
and expense attending the old arrangement.
He again calls attention 10 the necessity of pro-
Niding some means for heating the rotunda,
and includes in this estimate the cost OF an ap-
paratus for this purpose.
The grounds north of the Capitol have been
graded but there Is a great necessity for max
ing some provision for the stables for the mail
wagons, &c, for the Senate and House, so
that the present buildings can he cleared away
and the space they occupy graded. He urges
the passage Of the hill for the purchase
OF squares 6c1 and 6Sc, they indis-
pensabIe TO the proper enlargement OF the pub
hC grounds. II these grounds are extended 10
4 street north and south. and CarYiage roads
and drives made connecting with and contnu-
ing the Mall and the Presidents grounds. a
magnificent Park could he obtained. These
drives could be so arranged. by means OF raised
bridges across some of the streets which run
almost from the Capitol 10 the Presidents Man
sion, without touching a paved street He
hopes That Congress may take the SUBJECT of
treating the Capitol, Presidents grounds and
the Mall as one, and adopt some plan looking
10 their ultimate ImpToN rment and embeIiIsh-
menI a unity.
On the dome the services of painters are con-
tnuaiIy required 70 keep the iron free from
rust stains, and tO fasten JOINTS. Several CHM
news open under the apron. and some even
connect with columns which become smoke
stacks these chimneys should be changed to
prevent further injury TO the dome AT the
PATE at once The only work yet 10 do 10 COM
plrIe the building is 10 clean down and point
he marble work OF the north front. erect a
portion Of the IRON fence. sod and pave yards,
and pave q street from tn TO orb streets.
Mr.. Clark estimates that there Will be re-
CURED for the Capitol extension an apprOprIa-
uCn of So 90, for the dome S5,'HH. for the an
nUal repairs 10 the Capitol, SlO,CfO: for heating
the rofupda. >i5.O,G; for the Patent Off build
ing Sl2-UC: total SlI7,OOO.