National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-12-07
THE CAPITOL GROUNDS.
EXPLANATION OF THE IMPROVE
MENTS IN PROGRESS.


inclined toward the west, where straight street,
crossing it from north to south, formed the only
approach for carriages to the Capitol from any
direction. East of this street there was rectan-
gular grass-plat bounded by straight walks;
other trees appear to have been planted, at an
early day, in imperfect rows alongside these
walks, most Of which died young. At various pc
RODS since then trees have been planted in and
adjoining the first rows some to take the place Of
those dying; some because of unwise haste to Sc
cure shade; some because they were of species
newly arrived in the country and fashionable, and
some with no intelligent purpose.
A great number Of rank upstairs were allowed
to crowd and distort and starVe the more perma-
nent and valuable sort. The original thin soil
had probably been worn out and washed away
under colonial tobacco culture and left little but
a sterile and exceedingly stiff brick clay, over
which street-sweepings from the old dirt roads OF
Washington with some Tiber mud, have from
time to time been laid. A careful forester's sur
vey made this summer indicated that the trees
must have been generally taken from the woods
poorly lifted and poorly planted, and that their
roots had rarely attempted to penetrate the clay,
but had sought food by running far and wide
close to the surface. Three fourths of them were
in unsound condition, many far gone with decay,
and the foliage OF nearly all began to wilt after
lacking rain but two weeks. With two exceptions
the largest and best stood near the east bOunda-
~, their roots breaking out on a bank eight feet
in height formed by the recent grading down Of
First street, which bank barred both approach
and vision towards the Capitol. Shrubs and
flower beds were dropped about here and there,
many of the shrubs being Of late sick or dead,
and the flower beds OvergrOwn by grass and
weeds.
THE OLD GROUNDS NOT IN HARMONY WITH THE
CAPITOL.
Looked at by itself, without reference to the
Capitol; looked at in comparison with what is
now to be seen in the early building stage of a
designed Improvement, or with any Of the desert
tracts which lie at short distances in all direc-
lions about it, it might be regarded as beautiful
place, and it tolerably served the purpose of
local playground for residents of the neighbor-
hood. Its devastation could not therefore be pro-
iected without some pathetic feeling, nor without
giving occasion for honest, earnest and rational
remonstrance. The beauty of the trees and old
associations connected with them have been feel
ingly described, and it has been urged that once
removed they could not be replaced in fifty years.
On the other hand, it was to be said that the
Capitol could not be replaced at a cost Of less
than SO, 900, 900, of which sum but q small part
represents the body Of convenienees provided for
the transaction of the business of Congress, the
remainder and larger part standing for the means
q
effect in the Yestment of these cOnveniences; that
the ground, as it was, contributed not in the
slightest degree to the convenienees for business
of the Capitol while, because of the inclination
of the surface toward the building and the posi-
ton Of the trees, not half Its due architectural
effect could be enjoyed; that scarcely one of the
larger trees had fifty or even twenty years life in
it; and the Capitol, being permanent and mOnu-
mental structure, the ground about 1t should be
managed with reference not merely to present
but to future effect.
THE OLD PARK SWEPT AWAY.
This view has prevailed, and the old park has
accordingly been swept away. Congress, at the
close Of its last session, having provided means
for the purpose, the work began under contract
on the 18th Of August, since when there has been
not yet quite time, with all the men who could be
employed economically, to accomplish the grad
ing, the amount of earth to be removed being
about $50 900 cubic yards. Other operations seen
in progress on the ground where the grading is
complete are the tillage and tempering of the
neWly-exposed subsoil to the depth Of two feet;
the return to it of the old soil with additions to
the depth of a foot; the taking up of the old
sewer, drainage, water, and gas pipes, and the
laying of new and much better and more elab-
crate systems Of each; the transplantng of some
of the more thrifty Of the old trees which have
been preserved, to new places; and some laying
of curb, cutters, gratings and road and walk
foundations with little pavement. These OPP
eratiOns have seemed detached and purpOseIess
because divided by those eff grading, but the miss
ing links are expected to be for the most part
inserted before winter stops work, when the plan
will be more Ineligible.
MAIN PURPOSES OF THE DESIGN.
The general design is very simple, and will be
a If
to provide convenient approaches to and stand
ing room about the Capitol; second, to allow its
imposing dimensions and the beauty of its archi-
lecture to have Que effect and, so far as possible,
to aid and highten that effect.
The idea Of a PARK, fioWer-garden and play
ground is discarded, and the whole meagre area
Of the little lot in which the Capitol is placed is
to be treated as a courtyard and dependency Of
the building. A paved carriage-cOurt is to extend
all along its east front giving access to each deOr
Walks ard carriage-ways are to be formed be-
tween it and each OF the fifteen streets leading
from all sides toward the Capitol. The course of
these approaches, with one exception, will be
curved, but each curve is to be governed by refer
ence to q purpose Of convenience. Where two
purposes Of convenience come in competition, that
one is to be allowed the advantage by yielding to
which greater breadth for turf surface will be
gained; and by humOring this secondary purpose
asmuch as possible, without an essential sacrifice
Of convenience on the whole, two elliptcal spaces
are to be obtained, measuring each from 400 to
900 feet across, in which field of slightly undu-
lating surface may be formed, unbroken except by
q few groups Of trees.
sCBoRDINATION OF THE GROUNDS TO THE BUILD
ING.
As the trees to be planted grow, the larger
part of the road and walk space will be shaded,
but the object Of happy compositions of the TO-
liage with the Capitol, and Of pleasant views
from important points of the Capitol is not to be
sacrificed to the object of making its courtyard,
in all its parts and in all seasons perfectly
Portable Longing place or exercise ground.
The same principle Of subordination to the
building will prevent the introduction in any
part Of the ground of local ornaments, whether
in flowers, leafplants, or other objects simply
curious or beautiful in themselves. These mat
tiers only will be decorated which, by their posi-
ton and form, carry out, repeat and support the
architectural design, For will any decoration be
such as to hold the eye Of sn observer when in q
position to take general vl2w of the Capitol.
The carriage-eourt will be bounded opposite the
building by walk or esplanade, laid with col
Ored tile, and this will be separated from the
broad turf spaces beyond It by structure COM
bining the purposes Of parspet or barrier, and a
seat 60 curved in plan that unObstrUcted views Of
Inc CdpllOl may De Obtained from IL At various
distances, from one hundred to three hundred
feet from the nearest point Of its front, and at
every practicable angle of vision. The parapet
is to be formed Of blue and red stone ana is to be
also divided by piers, supporting bronze gas
posts. This work is under contract, and If the
weather is favorable sections of it are expected
to be complete before Congress meets.
FURTHER PLANS IN PROGRESS,
The roads are designed to be of concrete, but
only the base of gravel will be laid this year.
Other details can hardly be explained without
and what has been said will sufficiently
indicate the general intention.
No work has been done on the ground west Of
the Capitol, except in the deposit for storage Of
material taken from the east side. Designs for
important improvements are, however, advanced,
and are soon to be submitted to the committee Of
Congress.
Your obedient servant,