National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-08
GEN. BABCOCK'S REPORT.
tc,ntin,,,a frou, Fir,, Paoe.l

CONTINUED from First PGge)
at the intersection Of Rhode Island and Mass
ll0 tons and ,lsl pounds, was moved from the
foot Of G street northwest in eight days, without
which IL was moved. The bronze statue was
placed on the pedestal as soon IS IL was ready for
It, and without any damage to either.
GENERAL ITEMS.
The most and chain inclosing Farragut square,
and the iron fence incloang the triangular reser-
walton on Pennsylvania avenue between THen-
tieth and Twenty-hrst streets, and the Washing
Fourteenth-street circle were repaired, scraped
and Vanished. The other seats In the public
squares, that were torn from their iastenlngs
ton and fastened again. A large number Of CO.
coons Of the basket caterpillar were picked rom
the evergreens and destroyed, thus preventing an
Immense amount Of damage being done them.
These worms are very Injurious 70 the evergreens,
and in a very short time viii destroy them not
moved from the walks along the public reserya-
tions under my charge. Three hundred and nifty
tiers during the winter, and in the spring were
curely fastened to the trees.
The increase Of the sparroWs has been so rapid
that all the boxes were occupied almost immedi-
ately. They have not been so much disturbed
by the boys this year, in consequence or which
Is experienced with the wild garlic which grows
in most of the public reservations. Large guam
titles have been dug up and removed, especially
grounds around the Executive mansion.
The President presented to this ofhce hand
some specimen Of an American eagle which had
been Sent 10 him from wisconsin. A cage was
constructed for it and placed in Franklin square,
thus adding to this square feature OF much In
terest to the children Of the city. Specimens OF
animals are frequently offered to this office from
officials Of the Government and private indtVtdu-
ais, which are often declined Tor the want OF
In q few years, and at comparatively
small expense, a very fine collection OF
American and other animals could be collected.
Such q collection would be great source OF en-
tertainment to the people Of the capital, and
those visiting 1t, besides 3eing OF great YaI9e 70
specially recommend that an appropriation be
made to provide for receiying such contributions.
The trees, everRreens &c, In the various reser,
yatiOns have been cared for and properly trimmed
in season. Some OF the eYergreens were
tied up to prevent the breaking Of their branches
| ing the winter. While the leaves are falling
force is employed to collect and remove them.
They are deposited in piles, thus forming vege-
table mould which is very valuable, and which
is used IN the green houses for prOpagating pur-
poses. What Is not used for this purpose is used
| for top dressing for lawns.
The electrical lighting apparatus in the Capt
| toll has been kept in thorough repair. No
| trouble has been experienced In working it at
sumption Of the gas in the entire Capitol build
ing during the (long) session, great saving has
| been effected, enabling return to the Treasury
Of the United States Of the sum Of SO 257.62 Of
| the "lighting fund"
The triangular reservation on Seventh street
| and Pennsylvania avenue, which was opened to
| the public in June, 1871, has been closed, the
| abuse Of the privilege more than counterbalanc-
| ing the benefits to the public.
THE PUBLIC GARDENER.
The public gardener has been employed during
| the year, when his services were not otherwise
required, in preparing maps Of the reservations
that had been improved by this ONCE. These
| maps give the roadways and walks; locate the
| fountains, drinking fountains, and the drains,
and gas and water pipes. Maps of the following
named reservations have been SO prepared VIE I:
| square; Scott square; Farragut square, Wash
ingtUn circle; Thirteenth-street circle; the circle
at the intersection Of Massachusetts, Connecticut
| and New Hampshire avenues; Mount Vernon
| Place; the grounds around the Executive Man
| sion; two triangular reservations on Pennsylya-
| mia avenue between Eighteenth and Nineteenth
streets; triangular reservation on New York ave-
nue. between Tenth and Eleventh streets; and
Sstss1 FS and Sixth streets
1t is the intention to make these maps, as well
as others yet to be prepared, show the location
Of the various trees and shrubs, with the local
and botanical name of each given, so that at any
time in the future when tree dies, an exRmtna-
tion of the map would show what had been pre-
reset, so that the original plan Of planting and
arranging the trees could be maintained and a
comparison Of the hardness, length Of life and
Of the different varieties be kept. Much diff
Guilty has been experienced in locating water and
sewer drain pipes, which these maps will obyiate
MONEY RECEIVED.
Ihaye to report that on the I'D day of October,
1 received from Messrs. Latimer & Cleary, auc-
tiOneeTs, an account Of sales Of the old wood
buildings in Judiciary square, sold by them Au-
gust p 1873. The proceeds, q ,oC9;4S, was paid
citation, in accordance with the act Of Congress
authorizing their sale. Permission was twice
given during the year to menageries and circus
COMPANIES to exhibit on the Improved reservation
between Four-and-a-half and Sixth streets, upon
condition that they should give 500 each to some
charitable institution In the city, and should ad-
nit the soldiers and sailors orphans. Of the
500 thus received, $50 was given to the Chill
drens hospital, charitable institution whose re-
lief extends to all children without distinction OF
color, and $50 to the Women's Christian Asso-
| citation, q very worthy institution.
NAVY YARD AND UPPER BRIDGES.
The Maynard and Bennings bridges have re-
ceiyed the necessary care and attention during
the year, and travel has been uninterrupted.
| They have both received very extensive repairs,
and are in as good condition as the appropriation
| Nayy-yard bridge accommodates an immense
| travel, and requires almost constant repairing.
On the 18th Of July, 1873, as a f9ur-hOrss team,
| was crossing the Nayy-yard bridge, span Of the
bridge broke and let them through into the water.
| patient from the hospital was seated with the
| driver and narrowly escaped being drowned.
| The bridge was Immediately repaired. This
| bridge is the only direct means Of communicating
| with the Asylum and Washington, and as II con-
tains some 625 patients, any interruption Of this
character is Of serious embarrassment to the in
| stitution.
TELEGRAPH.
An appropriation was made by Congress for the
purpose of connecting the Capitol with the Ex.
ecutfve departments and the Government print
ing office by telegraph line, and directing the
S Grounds to Construct the line. PPOPOsas were
| solicited from several parties engaged in that
| business and the contract was awarded to the
lowest bidder. The lines were erected and proper
instruments purchased and placed in position
| before the assembling of Congress In December.
The lines were so arranged that the several De;
\ as with the Capitol To prevent dishguring the
Capitol grounds the wires were run from North
| Capitol street to the Capitol under ground. To
| accomplish this two cables of tiVe wires each
| were laid. At North Capitol street the various
| wires were attached 20 the cable, an ornamental
| iron post being used through the centre Of which
| the wires were led. The line was kept in good
/ working order during the session OF Congress,
and has proved Of great service 70 the members l
received two coats Of paint to preserve them, and
to make their appearance in the city as unobJec-
| tiOnable as possible. A quantity Of material was
| purchased which will be available during the
| coming year. / would respectfully recommend
extension Of this line so as to connect the navy
| yard, arsenal, Smithsonian Institution, Depart
| ment of Agriculture, the Naval Observatory. and
| other national Institutions in the District OF
| Columbia.
| GOVERNMENT WATER PIPES.
| The Government water pipes conducting water
TO the Capitol from Smiths spring are laid along
| North Capitol street, in which street the Board
| OF Public Works has been constructing a large
/
| pipes were continually breaking. To correct
this and to avoid the necessity Of digging up the
street in case of break and TO maintain the sup
ply of water the location of the line was changed,
Il being placed under the side or foot walks, Just
| inside the curb. 1t was discovered in moving
this pipe that many Of the pieces had been de-
! stroyed by rust. These were replaced with new
| pipe. The supply Of spring water to the Capitol
| was not interrupted during the session Of Con-
| gress. -
| EXECUTIVE MANSION.
The public and private portions of the Execu.
| tive Mansion received the necessary care for the
| protection of the property and comfort of the
| Presidents family. The bath tubs and water
! closets were replaced with new ones. Great care
was taken with the plumbing to prevent leaking.
! The floor Of the bath room was so arranged with
| lead that no water could get through and damage
the ceilings below in case Of an overflow or break
| age of the pipes. The pipes leading from the
| basement were eneased in zinc to prevent rats
and mice following along them and getting into
| the upper part of the house. One sleeping room
| was repaired by being newly papered a new crate
| put in, painted, and new stationary marble
| Washstand, to which hot and cold water pipes
were attached. Hot and cold water pipes were led
! into other rooms. Two (sleeping) rooms in the
| upper portion and one (receptiOn) room on the
first floor of the house were papered: large and
| roomy wardrobe, made Of ash and walnut was
| constructed and placed in one Of the rooms, II
| taking the place of an old and worthless one
| made Of pine. Carpets of different styles have
been purchased and put down In the several rooms
/ as needed New furniture was purchased and