The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-08-14
THE MAXINE BARRACKS.


For many years past the barracks Of the
Marine Corps, on Eighth street east, have
been In ruinous condition, no attempt at
providing comforts for the officers and men
Of the corps having been made since the
barracks were FIRST erected. A movement
was inaugurated about two years ago TO
erect new barracks, and q commission ap.
pointed, who after examining the alto and
making estimates Of the probable cost Of the
improvements, made their report 10 the
Navy Department. Tho Secretary Of the
Navy made Recommendation TO Congress
In favor OF erecting new buildings, but no
appropriation could be obtained To commence
the work. The barracks, therefore, re-
NAMED In their "tumblc-down" state until
last spring, when Lieut.. Col. Clras. Haywood,
lin command OF the post, determined 10 better
the condition Of the corps by availing him
self of the general appropriation for repairs,
and the result Of his iabors Is that the mate
rial appearance of the barracks has been
completely changed, and the quarters arc
now beautifully arranged and finished.
visit to the work yesterday shows the
Improvement nearly completed and the ma
rines In high glee, fully approaching the In
genuity Of their commanding officer. The
barracks have had an entire new single
roof put on and the rooms Of the building
all neatly walnscoted with North Carolina
pine Ave feet In height. The ceilings of the
shed In front Of the line OF barracks has been
cased In with similar wood. New ash tables
are being made In the mess room Of the COM
mand, which will far excel those of pine
now In use. The kitchen In which the food
Of men is prepared is lined throughout with
yellow pine, all highly vanished. A large
copper boiler and two steam kettles mate
tcrially assist the cooks in their labors Of
preparing the daily "grub" Of the one hun
dred and odd men now on duty at the post.
Col Haywood has had room prepared
specially for library and readlng-room for
the command, which will be pleasant and
agreeable resort for the marines when not
on duty. very pretty room Is set apart
| for bllliard-room for the officers, who have
secured avery fine four-pocket table for their
| amusement.
The kitchen for the ofiicers' mess Is nicely
fitted up with all modern conveniences.
There is q private room for the Office Of
''oiiicer Of the day." and the Office Of the
commander OF the post Is near by. All the
improvements above mentioned arc In what
10 known as the "north wing" OF the bar
racks, which adjoins on the north Of the
building used for the officers quarters. On
the south side Of this building we find first
the grand entrance, which has been changed
slightly, and looks much better than for
merry. The interior Of the entrance way
has been lined and "ceilcd" with North
| Carolina pine nicely vanished. The gun.
rack has been placed where It will attract
attention.
The guard-room adjoins the entrance,
and Is large aud airy apartment, the five.
foot yellow pine wainscoting extending oil
round, as In the other portion OF the build
ing. Adjoining the guard.room are five
strongly constructed cells designed for the
punishment Of offenders. The next apart
ment Is q room to be kept as an assembly.
room for the non-commissioned officers,
where they can enjoy themselves separate
and apart from the priyates. The men on
duty at the post occupy the adjoining 1--WE
rooms as sleeping quarters. Here everything
Is kept rs neat and tidy as a new England
housewives kitchen. Each room Is in
charge of the first sergeant of a company,
and he Is held responsible for Its general ap.
pearance. Below the quarters for the men
arc the rooms used as q mess-room and
school-room for the boys Of the corps. There
are twenty lads at this post who have Gu.
listed as filters and drummers. An instructor
is regularly employed to teach them q good
common school education.
At the end OF the south room OF the build
ing Is the bathroom, which has pool bath
about 90 fee: long, ten feet wide and fcel
deep. The water is kept constantly running
and the bathing place Is always clean and
pure. The hospital building has not cs
capped the general Demonstration plan" o.
Colonel Haywood, for this ancient structur,
has received a thorough ovcrhauling, beins
newly plastered, painted and wainscotct
throughout. The health Of the command
Mt present Ia very good
A large building, which formerly stood q
the south end OF the parade ground, hal
been demolished, and workmen are busil,
engaged In clearing away the debris.
When this obstruction Is removed, th,
grand parade will be greatly enlarged ant
improved. A portion OF the south wall o.
the barracks Enclosure has been rebuilt, ant
as the east wall Is In q "ricketty" condition
Col. Haywood Is making arrangements fol
placing Ii In proper condition. The repair,
mentioned have all been made under tn,
special supervision Of Col. Haywood, who
certainly deserves great credit, not only fol
the skill and taste displayed In the plan, bu
for the economical manner In which thu
work has boon done. Not one cent has beer
expended but what value received was oh
taincd. The labor has been done by day
work, and quite number of marines hay,
been employed at 1t besides the city work
| pl INV tuC lluElntb NuCu uOlDE buCl
work are allowed IS cents per day extri
pay. The work will be completed about tn
middle Of September, when the weekly dres
parades will be resumed.
Is TIE LATE TAX LAW VoID Tho fol
lowing letter to the Mayor from good au
thority upon titles and title papers, may b.
Of interest to our citizens;
No.4 MARKET STAGE
BoARD OF TRADE ROCKS,
Sin; With great respect for the ofic
which you III, and for your personal abilities
private ana public, beg leave to ask you /
suggest to our Board Of Aldermen and Coun
cilinen that II may possibly be, and mos
probably Is, a fact that section IA of "Ai
act imposing taxes for the year $780," ap
proved July 10, 1860, Is unconstitutional an,
void.
The increase thereby of two and half De
cent. per month, after September /, 1869
upon all taxes not paid prior thereto, cal
only be considered, think, either US an In
terest or usance chargedi else as penalt
inflicted.
II as usanc its demand and receipt vii
be yiolatiyc of the "usury laws" unless, In
deed, the city be, In this respect, exempte
from the operations thereof.
II as penalty, Its summary enforcement
under mere munlclpo-lcglslatlvc edict
; without judicial legislation and sanction
will be violatiye of our fundamental Consti
tuition.
} As to the first, or usurlous aspect, the sub
ject admits, believe, of none other thai
the general but here impertinent, argu
ment against the impolicy Of the usury law
themselves; unless statutory dispensatiol
In behalf OF the city be shown and relied on
AS TO the second, or penal aspect, tn
whole subject is ably discussed In 'sBlack
well oh Tax Titles" chapter /, and Is con
cisely summed up In the last paragraph
thereof.
If amenable to either such objections, tn
act Is, of course, void.
II SO, proprletors may refuse to paw taxes
and may confidently defy the collcctlo
thereof.
, IL the collector attempts to enforce sue
collection, by the usual summary process @
sale, he may be judicially enjoined an
mulcted In damages.
lie may not find publisher who will rsl
loss by advertising the same, nor may h,
. mud any purchaser for property SO at
tempted to be sold.
The city treasury may for long time b
impecunious; gas be shut of schools b
closed; Improvements stopped fire an,
police companies be disbanded or crippled
labor be idlei the idle be specially vicious
crime be rampant, and city thus injurc,
be still further MANNED by litigation, cost