National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-03-20
WORE VENTILATION WANTED.

While the attention of Congress is being
called TO the evils Of bad ventilation as IL
Illustrated by the demoralizing effect it has
upon themselves, perhaps it would be well
10 make note of the fact to guide them in
other matters. For instance, it will be-
come more and more evident as they look
into tie matter that the subjecs of ventila-
ton, as it applies 10 public buildings and
places of all kinds, is in a wofully neg
lccted shape. The schools, churches and
asylums throughout the broad land are the
objects Of the continual complaint of the
people ON account Of defective ventilating
means, and when one is unfortunate enough
to be called upon TO make journey in the
cars he is very lucky, indeed, if he escapes
without catching a cOld that may hasten
his demise. The fact is the whole subject
needs the study and attention of architects,
builders and scientific and practical people,
and perhaps even Congress might make it
a matter Of general discussion with value
to themselves and the community q: large.
But the lesson which We wish to enforce at
the present time is a simple one growing
out of this subject. A query might be
propounded to illustrate it. For instance,
if an ordinary member of Congress is pros
trated from illness by being confined from
three to five hours day for few months
in public building while pursuirga varied
occupation and having frequent changes of
location, not to say anything about oppor-
tunities for replenishing the exhausted
vitality by visiting the refreshing realms
below, what should the result be upon a
clerk who is confined under much the
same influences at steady and eXhausting
work for seven hours day, without rest
of refresbment, throughout the whole
year: We do not care to give the answer
to this little conundrum, for We believe
that the most obtuse member of Congress
can see the point in the light of their
present experience without the aid of
lantern, and, if they are not able to appre-
ciate ii, if they will stroll among the De
partments and observe the preponderance
of pale faces, bowed forms and marks Of
physical exhaustion which are to be seen
on every side, they will certainly come to
a conclusion that they might have reached
before.
Its very hard TO appreciate the fact that
others besides ourselves can suffer from
deprivations Of any kind-fresh air and
sunlight or anything else. Besides, the
impression exists that Government clerk
ship is such a windfall any way to the one
who secures it that it would be too much
benevolence TO expect of the Government
to treat them as if they were subject to the
ordinary discomforts that affiict mankind.
The average reformer sees only their
salary in bulk, and expresses his envy at
not getting it himself by treating them as
much like cattle as it is possible to do.
There are public buildings in Washington
where clerks are confined and exhausted
under hot-sir pressure in a way that is
simply barharous. Being young people
for the most part, with vigorous constitu-
lions, they are able TO sustain the drain.
but the observant investigator will not fail
10 notice the effect upon them, and espe-
cially upon the old men and the women.
There are the upper rooms in the Treas
ury Department, for instance, where the
windows are battened down so as to let no
air escape or find entrance. The accumu-
lated poisonous dust from greenbacks fills
these rooms with a gray atmosphere, which
is breathed and rebreathed by some three