The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-10-21
w A S I'm G. II 0 N.
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 90. 1879.
VENTILATION OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTA-
TIvEs- RADICAL CHANGES MADE AND GOOD
\ RESULTS EXPECTED TO FOLLOW.
\ The hall of the House OF Representatives may be
compared to box within box. In its construction
the architect appears to have aimed at the exclusion
of sunligh and fresh of importance to the
health OF the members occupying seats within its
walls. The stained and ground glass which forms
the ceiling carefully shuts out the of the sun.
while the massive masonry which divides
the hall from the corridors makes the cham
Der more like structure for an ice
house or refrigerator than place
for WHOLESOME legislation To remedy these serious
defects various plans have been resorted to. among
others the piercing of the door with innumerable
holes protected with grating through which cold
air forced by the engine I'M the basement. This
plan. however, did not remedy the evil complained
of. At last it occurred to member OF long ex-
perience that the business-lke way to improve the
atmosphere and diminish the frequent complaints
egisatc the foul air out OF the hall and pro-
vide better heathful avenues of pure
air Acommittee ventilation was accordingly added
to the long list OF committees the first step in the
right direction taken when this committee was
organized. That the subject is one OF importance
may be judged from the eminencc of most OF the
gentlemen composing II. The chairman is William
Kimmel, OF Maryland. whose stoical nature has
never been disturbed. not oven by the amusing
speeches of Congressman Conger. of Michigan.
With him James W. Covert. of New York, the
chairman OF the Committee on Agriculture; John
G.. Carlish. OF Kentucky, SAID to be the soundest
lawyer and ablest debater on political questions in
the House; John A. McMahon one of the managers
in the Belknap impeachment trial; John W. Stone,
of Michigan, serving his second term and
prominent lawyer IN his State; William d. Kelley.
OF Philadelphia the father Of the House, and George
NJ Robson, OF Now Jersey exsecretary of the Navy.
In accordance with the plans suggested by the
com mittee the architect of the capital. Mr.. Clark
has during the recess Of Congress been ripping up
and tearing down until the familiar places about the
southern end of tho building have entirely disap-
peared so that the members will wonder when they
come together in December whether this is tho
building cheerfully vacated tho LIST day OF last
July. The floor of the hall has been covered
with network Of ventilators. the edge OF
the steps Of the ampitheatre being frnged
with brass. upon which the members
stand if they choose when addressing
the House and receive constant currents of air
pumped into the building through a large conduit
having its opening on the mall to the west OF the
Capitol. And that the Speaker may become rest
honorable members, he is supplied with separate
ventilating apparatus which is to constantly sur
round him with extra pure air and give him an in
visible advantage over the body which he pre-
sides. If the members become restless they will
find additional vents in either corner Of the north
side of the hall, which now ornamented with
magnificent mantels Of Tennessee marble and in
which are set large CRATES for the burning OF
wood and the heat from which. it is expected. will
form q draught and help to purify the atmosphere
Of this dark portion of the hall. Looking toward
the south side Of the hall in the gallery provision is
made for additional entrances to the gallery.
not because they needed, but for the reason
that these apertures hitherto walled up with sham
doors in panel. will let in hood Of light from the
southern exposure and help the air Of the recorders
gallery.
With tho improvements in the manner Of ventila-
ting the upper part of the hall and the provision
made for currents of fresh air to sweep the
roof 1t is confidently expected that the lawmakers
will be able to sit STILL transact their business and
be entirely free from the rawlings and hallucinations
which incipient malarial and typhoid fevers de-
vclop.
Passing from the hall into the lobby was formerly
to walk from dimness into darkness. But the
famous tunnel for that what the passageway
really was-is thing of the past. The Speakers
ROOM the office OF the Sergeantat-Arms at tho cast
end aud the official reporters room ut the west end
Of the lobby. all merged into colonnade. with
seven spacious openings leading into the old lobby.
so that the darkest part of the House is now
the lightest. Here the members will be able to
sit during tedious debates. smoke. talk and prone
nade without risking their health. as when cooped
up in the narrow cloak rooms under the gallery.
This dismal subterraneous passage connecting tho
and ends Of the southern part Of the build
ing has not much as vestige to indicate it.
Where the huge weather map used to hang is beau
tiful mante aud all the surroundings calculated
to make the life of the listless members happy.
The Appropriation Committee takos possession OF
the ladies' reception room and unites 1t with their
old quarters by fencing in the corridor at the south
ern eud Of the building. The Sergeant-at-Arms Is
assigned to tho room formerly occupied by the Clerk
of the House. and the Office OF the Chief Clerk ad-
joining will probably be given to the Committee on
Coinage Weights and Measures. of which Mr. Ste
phens, of Georgia. is chairman. and who account
of his infrmity formerly occupied the Speaker s
room of of the lobby. it being convenient for him
to reach 1t Ia his carriage. The old folding is
removed to the basement and the space reited with
committee rooms. mainly intended for the commit
tees on expenditures of tho several departments Of
the government.
The Speaker is still in search Of quarters. but has
not yet mado up his mind where to locate. The
official reporters are given the old index room and
Office of the doorkcepcr, which have been made into
one. The lower floor of the old part Of the Capitol
has been entirely remodelled. and will provide ac-
commodason for six eight committees and officers
of the House. Altogether the improvements are
regarded fair beginning of a change in the de-
sign of tho House and Of the Capitol. which will be
followed with better improvements next year.
GENERAL WASHINGTON DISPATCHES