National Republican., 1879-11-26
UNDER THE DOME.
improvements in and About the
Capitol Building.
Beautifying the Grounds-NIosolc Walks,
Carved Stone Walls, Terraces, Foun-
tains aud Air Duots-The Changes
Inside the Building - Addi-
tional Rooms for Com
nittces, Sc, So.


improvements Mt the Capitol.
Many very important aud handsome improve
mcnts nave been made IN aud about the Capitol
building and grounds during the past year x re.
porter of The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN, desiring TO
keep the public posted upon all matters of general
interest, and especially upon the Woshngtonion's
pride, visited the Capitol and grounds yesterday,
and proceeded upon tour Of inspection, as 1t We're
Standing at the Naval monument one can readily
pcrceivc-and that, too, with much qualification
tile easy approach TO and the almost tirclesS pass
age through the grounds. which in former years
cost a traveller considerable breath and not n few
OF the male sex considerable very warm breath
The cumpartve safety of the roads since they have
been wduncd Is also aSubjcct Of much cOmmcuda
tion. Handsome stores have been erected on the
property fronting that which was purchased.
At the west maiu driveway nre noticeable mass
I've rod granite piers, snrnounted by large bronze,
plate. glass lamps simple but appropriate design.
At the entrance to the Pennsylvania avenue walk
lKnps have also been placed In position, which ut
night shed 4 flood OF light brilliantly illuminating
the surroundings. mosaic walk has been com
petcd along the Pennsylvania avenue entrance TO
the platform. from which the two sets OF steps are
designed to approach the building. This walk is
provided with broad easy steps at regular Intervals
in order 10 make the ascent more agreeable.
Benches of neat design have been placed around
the base of the large trees bordering the walk on
each side and afford a very acceptable resting
place. Moving on n the right to Maryland avenue
The attention was attracted by the sight ofa new wall
corresponding to the main features OF the beautiful
screen wall, which forms the circle aud bounds
the entrance TO the grounds at Pennsylvania ay.
cnue, but with many Of It's details changed " suit
the locality. This wall IL finished in Ohio stone
aud rcd granite ana IN point OF design and eNeCu.
ton is much superior 10 the similar wall ut the
Pennsy avenue entrance. IL is taller cleaner
cut, more symmetrical aud more IN keeping with
the needs uf the place. The carving. designed by
Thomas Wisedvll. of New York, is especially
worthy of notice and is pi obably the finest piece
of carving of the kind in the city. The, work,
representing ivy. blackberry, grape vine. flowers
and birds, has b.cn very skillniy ex-
eCuted by Messrs, Evans Il Mcleod The wall
from the circle to the platform has been carried
purtiNlly 10 completion. and broad walk
rounding the circle has been laid I'm mosaic and
artificial stone. The circle at this point has been
hntshed taking IN portion OF the Botanical Gar.
den and the land purchased At the last session of
Congress. TraverSing II street south can be viewed
the new stone wall tpartially completed similar to
that bordering thecast park This wall Is OF better
design than tine east wall, aud Is Of higher char
scter OF work. At New Jersey a9enuo south Il hand
some cut-stone wall has been constructed, border.
ing lho sides of the entrance. Bronze lamps Will
be placed upon this wall at intervals which Will
give this part Of the grounds more finished APP
peGrauce. Little or no improvements have been
made in the east park that being pretty well fixed
up the previous year.
| Passing along tho north aud northwest borde RS
| OF the grounds was noticed II newly erected low
stone coping aud wall similar TO that already
erected on the east boundary Of the park. The
material for,buildIng thiscame from Maine and was
selected Oh account OF its peculiar color and adapt
ability 10 :he purpose bordering and overhang.
ing this wall Will be mass of Ivy intended to form
mat or covering 10 the grounds. AMONG and back
of which large amount Of choice shrubbery of the
evergreen variety has been aTtSticnly arranged.
These plants of very superior character. only
the choicest varieties being used; Those previously
planted already begin 10 show the effects of the de-
| sign, which Ia time will be very beautiful and
pleasing to the eye. A number Of workmcn were
busily engaged erecting lamps upon all the prom;
| nent piers of the wall forming the west border OF
! tho grounds.
| Among the more important improvements for the
adornmOnt of the grounds and one which will add
greatly to the comfort of the citizens in general Is
ummer house in process of construction designed
to relieve the long stretch Of walk up hill
This house will be situated on the main walk north
west OF the Capital, half way up the Hill md 'yi
be simple structure, but of n.Jst pleasing descrip
ton and built low purpo ely In order TO be incOl
splcuous. 1t VIII be entirely screened by ivy, be-
ing resting place and drinking fountain, and
will be constructed with stalnctito limestone The
want Of such "A place has been felt ever since the
grounds have been in public use. This is mos
commendable improvement and Is likely to NEE
with great favor. In connection with this house
there will be a body Of rock work constructed o
limestone procured especially for the purpose
by Engineer +. II. Cobb above Harpers Ferry
These will be partially completed this fall and hn
ished IN the spring ready for use. The scribe rex
wended his way To the centre Of the southwest
grounds and paid his respects TO the large stone
air.shait IN process Of construction. This shaf
will be about twenty feet in height surmounted by
an iron frame work of very elaborate and hand
some design. The shan will be built with rock
face of blue gneiss and granite aud banded with
finely cut and nodded Richmond granite. Judg
when completed, will make q harmonious ant
beautiful design, appropriate for the position. Tn,
intention Is nave Ivy grow over lncrcDy making
II rustic rather Than an architectural orna
ment. From the shalt will run the air-duct, which
has been completed, designed TO furnish the Hous'
| of Representatives with an abundance Of purt
fresh air. This duct was commenced last July, anC
is about ten feet high some ten or twelve feet wide
and two feet below the surface of the grounds. |
Is built OF stone and brick and Is freshly white
washed. The air Is forced 10 The chambers by
means Of the large fans which while at work ex
hnust the air at the upper end of the duct. This
causes the fresh air to rush in at the sha It. consc
quently the duct il always. supplied with pure
fresh air.
The handsome drinking fountain on First street
midway between Pennsylvania and Maryland
avenues, is completed, excepting the bronze fau
Gets and bronze bowl which, II is expected vii
arrive shorty and be placed In position,
II Is necessary for Congress 10 make an appropr
alton for bronze lamps and fountain figures bcfOr,
the naval monument can be completed. larg
amount of artificial iootwalks, including the nah
approaches to the Capitol, have been finished II
this material. 1t is hoped that In the coming yea
a sufficient amount viii be appropriated to com
plete the work now IN progress, as well as 10 com
mence the erection OF the main approach west OF h
building, In connection with the proposed nnfbl
terrace according TO the plan of Mr.. OlmstC'
adopted in 1874, conforming to which all HE I'M
pr1ycments up to the present time have been made
! The grounds generally are now beginning to as
, sumo the appearance designed. The reporter mex
passed into the building and proceeded to hunt u
the improvements. Working round into tn
d south hall, he found that the Speaker
the south Of the building, opposite IN
House of Representatives chamber have been cot
neCtc0 WIN lllc 'blll'oI ulll l'BtNllSI hN on
room TO be used us retiring room Tor the mem
bers thus carrying out the design rocommGnde
by the committee Ol exports appointed by COnRre
= to look into the ventilation Of the building. Ti
blind doorways four In number, In the south wa
/, of the House gallery have been Opencd-twO lea,
p ing into the reporters gallery and Two into I'll
+. general gallery
The lower portion Of the south part Of the centr
N building has been fitted up for the Accommodate
OF the several committees aud officers who former
T. occupied these rooms. The galleries IN both u
Senate aud House OF II representatives have bee
improved by abOlishing the old hair.CushiOn sea
and substituting perforated wood seats 80 arrange
that the fresh air from tho interior can be force
through aiiOrding wider dituslon Of fresh air
the galleries. Tie galleries have also been n
On both sides Of all the aisles on the floor of III
House at the foot of each platform, about q
Speakers aud reporters desk. are perforated bra
mites to supply pure air In pla~e OF the limit
opcningS A large magnificent new irC-place, co
stTlVteu Of Tennessee marble, has been placed
each end of the north side of the ChambC
these hTc-places aid materially in the yenti.ato
as well as the heating, and add much To the chcC
flilness OF the place At each corner of tho char
ber will be u large ycntllatOr, which Will be o
secured from view by a large ana comfortable sol
A portion of the CflCe of the chicfclcrk will be
moved TO the rooms newly fitted up in the bA'
81 meut of the south portion Of the building former
0, occupied by the folding department., The Speu
ers and Sorgeants-at-Arms rooms will be remoy
? into tho clerks rooms and the basement and cell
portion Ofthe south part of theD building VIII be OcC
| plcd US store and folding for the dOcumcl
which heretofore numbered up the rooms and &C
ridOrs OF portion Of the old Capitol buldii
The Court Of Claims has been removed to
Frecdmans Bank building, and the rooms Il
morly occupied By them are now being prepnT
E.ra nflt