Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-05-05

improvements in Pregress-Beautifyn mig
the Observation-Disclosures the
Atmosphere.


Congress having appropriated $50. 900 for GER
tain improvements in the Capitol building,
Among which we're the enlargement OF the pass.
ages leading from the rotunda to the Senate
and House; renovation of the ventilation OF the
building; repairing Of the floor OF the House,
&C.; about one hundred mechanics have been
put to work and are actively engaged in tearing
out the old material preparatory to work on the
improvements proper. which win not only
beautify the interior Of the building, but give a
pure atmosphere therein. The bad odors about
the hall Of the House, which have been expert
enced for years past, have not been caused nv
imperfect ventilation so much as by the uncleaI
condition Of the seats in the galleries;
TOBACCO QuIDs AND CIGAR sTCMPs
IN the heat registers on the floor; soiled walls
from creased hair, and tobacco Juice spit over
the floors of the galleries; and as this will be
remeded, and attention also given to the more
perfect ventilation Of the building, there will
that account. VII
THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE peoRwAYe
VIII be one Of the first improvements made
workmen having already commenced 10 cur ont
the Old door leading from the rorunda to the
mouse. The door itself, however, can only be
Sidened three feet, as the architect does not
deem II expedient to cut into the wall, and thus
interfere with the foundation OF the dome
Ihe depressed floor between the rorunda and
lhe ola Rouse VIII be raised to q level with the
moor OF the rotunda. Two new doors will be
cut IN the Old House-one upon each side of the
present door leading therefIOm 10 the rotuuds
By this means
will not be interfered with, and the means of
egress therefrom will be greatly increased. The
OLD blue bulkhesd surmountiDg the main door
OF the old hall. and which was used to convey
cold Air TO to the galleries when they were occu-
pied has been torn away. Nearly twenty thous-
and documents which have been stored in the
the passages leading to the old gallery will he
arranged in cases in the gallery, and 1roperly
CLASSIFIED though not visible to the eve from be-
low, the cases being no higher than the FAILING
gallery now containing these books will he
shelved and used for the documentary library.
as thousands Of the books therein have not been
classified for want of room.
THE ROGERS BRONZE DOORS,
representing the lite Of Columbus now swunp
at the exit from the old hall to the passa ge
i nas 70 the House, are to be removed to the
eastern entrance to the rotunda. The modes
for bronze doors for the eastern entrance TO the
House wing have been prepared. The hanging
o. o. IN, .he Ooiamous doors at the eastern entrance
10 the rotunda will neceseitate its enlargement.
as the doors are much larger then the present
doorway. This portion OF the work will not be
commenced, however, until after the adjourn
ment OF the extra session Of the Senate
IN TIE HALL OF THE HOUSE
All OF the desks, carpets and furniture have
been removed preparatory to tearing up the
walnut. The old registers in the door under
members desks will be dispensed with "a they
were found to be q receptacle for tobacco juice
odor and instead Of perforatns the ns 'srf ooe
for these registers they will be placed in the rise
or step part Of each section go that il win he i'm
possible to use them for spittoons The plan of
heat more equally.
IN THE GALLERIES
workmen are engaged in scraping the walls at
the back Of the upper tier Of seats, which have
been covered with grease for some time. These
Will all be reprinted, the benches thoroughly
cleaned, new carpets laid, &c.
THE NEW FANS
for expellng vitiated air from the Hall will be
placed In the cellar, and workmen are ALREADY
engaged in preparations to put them up. They
wiz Pc eight feet IN diameter, and capable Of
minute, In warm weather Il Is an EASY mater
20 ventilate the Hall by raising the shutters in
the roof, but In cold weather this plan will not
answer; hence to give more perfect ventila-
the cellar to the roof, will be enlarged to s. feet
through which the vitiated air will be expelled
Two other shafts, fifteen feet square, extend
from the cellar to the space between the ceiling
and the roof of the House, and through these
the impure air will be drawn down to the fan.
by which il will be expelled through the fines
The air in the hall of the
House, as 1t becomes impure, rises to the cell
ing, and through the perforations to the SPACE
between the roof and ceiling, and as il asceDds
pure air Is forced up the registers by the fans
now In use. The new fans at the base of the
hues connecting with the space between the
ceiling and the roof will create q vacuum. which
VIII cause the impure air to descend through
other fues out OF the top Of the building BY the
new fans.
COVERING THE STEAM PIPES.
Another important Improvement is the cover
ing OF the pipes for conveying the steam VITA a
non conducting cement. Heretofore the pipes
nave thrown out great heat, which has rari-
lied the air below the Hall. which of course as
csnded through the passages to the Hall aud
galleries, carrying with il the smell OF the cook
shop located near the heating department, a.
well as coal dust and other impurities
Another Improvement is
TO SAVE THE WASTE STEAM
which now passes into a sewer instead OF allow
ing it pass OF it will be conveyed back to the hot
pumped into the boilers requiring less fuel to
heat it, as thu water will retain a large portion
OF its eoloric when pumped back into the
will be erected in different parts OF the build
ing, az some portions heretofore have been very
cold for want Of proper heating arrangements,
ON THE SENATE SIDE,
but very Few changes will be made in the heat
ing or ventilation, as that portion OF the build
doorway leading from the fotunds to the Senate
viii be enlarged similar to that on the House
side, though this portion Of the work will also
extra session OF the Senate.
TEE RED SANDSTONE PAYMENTS
around the new wings will all be completed
before December; werkmen are now engaged
in laying that portion around the Senate wing.
The lower terraces are being sodded, adding
the building.
FOURTEEN HUNDRED YARDS Oh CARPET
viii be REQUIRED to cover the floor of the House.
but it will not be purchased until next fall. as
the new floor will not be completed until that
time. The Senate floor has lately been covered
with new carpet, therefore no change will be
made there.
FEARFUL ASSAULT OF HUSBAND ON HIS
WlfE-Her Skull Fractured Nth BHy-Beue-
uict Noikert, keeper OF a lager beer saloon on
me south side OF Pennsylvania avenue, between
lin and 18th streets, was arrested to -day by
Ohcer Doyle, for assault and battery with
intent TO Kill Rosa Volkert, his wife. The as
sault was made this morning in the bar-room,
ano the woman IL said 70 be in a very dangerous
condition. The instrument used was q large
billy, and the blow on the head, 1t Is feared has
fractured the skull. He was taken to the Police
court after its adjournment, and Committed
for hearing.
TIE Fifteenth district Republican Club met
iast evening, and communication from the
Nineteenth district club was read, TRANSMITTING
the resolutions OF that club censuring Andrew
Gleason. Mr.. George w. Hatton offered reso
luton returning the same to the Republicans of
the Nineteenth district, With the recommenda-
ton that they attend TO their own business:
Wnita was ADOPTED, and q committee was an
Pyinted 10 examine and report on the truth or
falsity Of the charge that Mr.. Gleason had had
printed and circulated tickets bearing the
name OF thh democratic nominee for the lower