National Republican., 1880-02-18
THE NEW NATIONAL MUSEUM.
Present Condition of the Building
Democratic Convention.


Tho agitation of tho question Of holding the
National Democratic Convention in this city,
and In our now National Museum, naturally
creates considerable interest among our eiti-
zens, and r desire to learn something more
about the place In which so largo a body can
be housed. The need of National Museum
has been the subject Of much discussion for Il
number Of years. The crowded condition of
the Smithsonian Institute was among the first
reasons for dositing u more adequate de-
pository in which to store our many curl.
ositics. And when at the close of our
great Centennial Exposition Our Government
became tho huppy possessor of numerous curl
osiics, relics, 60, without having y store
room for them, the want ofa National Museum
became moro apparent than ever. Congress
soon took tho matter under consideration. the
result OF which was an appropriation of $780,
600 for the purpose of constructing "A National
Museum. The building is now being erected
IN accordance with this resolution. In tho
meantime these goods were and are still stored
In tho old armory, corner of Sixth
and q streets, aud tho Smithsonian IN.
stitutc Tho new building is situated =
few yards southeast from tho Smith
sOnion Institute, its southern face lr Onting on
& street, with its northern or mdin entrance
setting back fcw feet FROM tho main road.
way, which runs along tue main entrance to
the Smithsonian Institute. 1t Is built of red
pressed brick, aud is 325 feet square, covering
two aud One-quartcr acres of ground. There
are four entrances, one OH each side Tho roof
is ornamented with towers, Which add greatly
TO its appearance. There is no doubt of its
capacity. 10 Is estimated that there is
room for not less than 10000 persons. In
the centre of tho building thero is u
rotunda 80 feot square, rising 90 feet to tho
dome. From the rotunda radiate four main
halls, each I II feet by 60 feet, running to the
a PAN Df hn I'm 10
formed by these halls will each bc II room 65
feet square. There will be other halls and
rooms of minor importance. Til ero will also
DO Office rooms 10 tho towers. The floor of
tho building Is to be laid in concrete, and
there will be no doors or solid walls on the
lower floor. The work on the building is
progressing very satisfactorily and can be
completed 80 far as 10 admit Of the
convention being held therein. The
brick aud masonry work Is finished.
aud the roof is now being put on. AT present
wOrkmeu are engaged upon the iron frame
work, which will be- linishoJ 10 about week.
The slate roofing will then be attached, aud
very soon thereafter all the work on the roof
will have been completed. The building Is
iro.proof the only wood used being the win
dow'sash. About tho time for holding the
convention the appropriation will have been
used up. but the building will in the main be
finished. The floor will have becn laid the
walls pIastcrcd aud the pipes for heating and
gas put in, and tho building made inhabitable.
To complete the building in accordance with
tho dcsigus-that is, to furnish it
ready for oocupstion-wil require an
additional appropriation which, it is expected,
Congress will cmbohy in this years Sundry
Civil bill. This appropriation will DO devoted
10 furnishing hcating apparatus, gas fixtures,
and cases for the goods. As soou as he build
ing can bs occupied, however, \ portion of tho
goods will bo moved in, ~ thcre arc number
of cases ready for use. The rooms will be fur.
nshed separateIy-tlat is, as soon rs cases are
ready they will DO placed in position aud
filled, thereby facilitating the work and avoid.
ing cOnfusion.