Daily national Republican. (Washington City [D.C.]) 1870-1872, 1870-02-14

The removal Of the currency bureau from
the basement to the attic Of this building
has at last permitted Its interior completion.
Appropriations for the finishing Of the west
centre and northwest StalrWays, In accord
ance with the original design Of the build
ing, were made at the last session Of Con-
gress, aud since they became available, the SUI
peryislnE architect has been strainlnE every
nerve to have them completed. The west
centre stairs arc now in place, aud the dome
over them Is almost completed. This dome
will be elllptical in form, embracing both
stalrways, aud replaces the wonderful Mon
ster Turret which has excited the curiosity
OF strangers so long. II ia constructed OF
wrought Iron, and finished In stucco orna-
mentallon. The centre IL covered with
hammered glass, having an ample yentilat.
ing space between the glass and the solid
work. This practically makes the stairway
yentilatlng shan, and not only lights
amply, but also Veutilates the corridors.
The proportions Of this dome are most
elegant, and Its enrichment chaste. Next
10 the marble cash room, Il will be the most
attractive feature In the building. The
northwest stairway will be finished In all ro'
speots TO the corresponding ono in the north
NhhN CORNER OF NuN NANNuhlOug WhlIh I'M hnNA
so much admired. ....
When these improvements are completed
access will be readily gained 70 the various
parts OF the building aud the corridors on
tho various floors Of the extension will be
lighted and ventilated In q thorough man
ner, improvements which have long and
urgently been demanded. both by visitors 10
and occupants Of the building. d. .. .I
Besides the work which has been done on
the interior Of the building, the remodeling
OF the south front has boon prosecuted with
great ylgor, and IL now practically finished,
a fow balpGters only remaining 10 be set.
This great improvement conslsts Of tho
erection Of q terrace dividing tho ascent and
reducing the base OF the order 10 proper
proportions, and greatly improves the aspect
OF the building from the Avenue. The old
steps broken by landing have beon rcsst as
q single flight leading from the grand ter
race, which 10 Jagged with alternate squares
Of blue and red Stone and enclosed by q
granite balustrade In q manner correspond
Ing with tho new approach to the north
front. A short flight OF steps leads from
the sidewalk to the terrace, and 10 90 gradu-
ated as not 10 obstruct for passeTs-by the
the clear view Of the main steps and en-
| trance. .r. u
The hldeous railing and massive gateway
which obscured the view Of this fair front
have also been removed, and fuu view Of
II can now be obtained. .H e..
The gates on Fifteenth street giving 40.
ccess to the dnw-waJ which dlsngurod tho
south approach have also been removed, the
great gap which so weakened the buttress
has been filed up, and the roadway Itself
torn up and the place II occupied sodded
over and added 10 the parterre.
The space gained under the terrace on the
front can, Il ls believed, be made available
for the storage OF fuel and thereby permit OF
the much-ne6dod Improvement OF the west
front by narrowing the unslghtly courtyard
fronting on the endorsement, which has
long been made q reception for rubbish, and
thus afforiiug an opportunity Of carrying
tho beautiful parterreS around the building
as originally designed by Mr.. Muliett, the
superyising architect,