National Republican., 1881-08-02
COLONEL RocKwELps REPORT.
Condition or the PubIic buildings ard
Grounds-EatImn ntes for NcNt Ycnr.

General II. G.. Wright, Chief of Engi-
nees, has received from Colonel A. r. Rockwell,
Commissioner Of Public Buildings and Grounds,
the report OF operations In the District for the fiscal
year ending juno 9O 1881. Colonel Rockwell re-
lievcd Colonel Thomas Lincoln Casey, the former
commissioner, April I, last The report refers to
the completion and drainage Of the ellipse In the
grounds south of the Executive Mansion and to
the planting of American Gins about this cllipge.
In referring to the Monument grounds and green.
houses II shows that the whole number Of plants
propagated during the year was upward Of eighty
thousand, which were bedded in the different
parks last spring, and that about thirteen hundred
trees and shrubs were removed from the nursery
aud set out in the various parks during the year.
The report shows fully the
WORK DONE ON THE RESERVATIONS
north OF Pennsylvania avenue and west of ne
Capitol and reservations east Of the Capitol, con-
sisting mainly in laying drain-pipes, planting
trees, shrubs, and flowers, and nclosing some with
iron fences. During the year one hundred new
park settecs were purchased and set out in those
parks most needing au increased number. The
fountains received the usual care during the year
In the fall the water was turned OFT and the basins
and copngs protected from the frosts with leaves
and evergreen brush. All the iron fences. vases,
lampposts, and drinking. fountains were thor.
oughly rcpnincd during the year. The water
pipes In the public grounds received attention.
The spring supply In the Capitol was cleaned out
and new fence built around the spring house.
The spring supplying the Executive Mansion and
the new War, State, and Navy Department build
ing was cleaned. Necessary repairs were made to
the Anncosia Bridge, Benning's Bridge, and the
Chain Bridge. At the latter the old floor was re.
placed with new one, 1896 pieces Of plank being
uscd or 81 232 feet board measure.
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
At the Executive Mansion requisite repairs were
made to the building, and necessary repairs and
additions were made to It's furniture. Needed
repairs were also made to the stable of the Man.
sion. The greenhouses received the usual atten.
tion, such repairs being made rs were found to be
necessary. Extensive repairs were made to the
conservatory, almost the entire old wooden and
glass superstructure being taken down and re-
placed with new material, only such Of the old
being retained rs was found suitable for the pur.
pose Attention Is again called to the roadways
leading to the north mont Of the Executive Man.
sion, and TO their muddy condition in the winter
and spring. An estimate for paving these road
ways Is submitted and specially recommended.
ESTIMATES FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR
The following are the estimates of amounts re.
quired for the fiscal year ending June 3o 1882 Sal
aries of employees, siS,IOO; improving grounds
south of Executive Mansion $4,000; care green.
houses and erection two additional greenhouses,
$1,000; care Lafayette Square, $1,000; improve
menus 10 monumental BTOunus SS,JJOi COnStruC-
ton and repair of iron fences, vases, lamps &C.,
$780, repair of seats 81 0OO repair of tools 81 OOO
trees, lime, and stock for nursery s3OOO removing
snow and ice 5000; ilower.pots, twlne- baskets,
81 0O) care, construction and repair of fountains
sJ.000 abating nuisanccs, $500; improving various
reservations, $4,000; improving Seward Place,
S5,0OO improving reservation, South Carolina
avenue, between Fourth and Sixth streets cast
S5,O00 improving North Carolina avenue, between
Second and Third streets east 5000; i'm
proving four reservations on New Jersey
avenue northwest. $1,000; improvement
and care Of Smithsonian Grounds, $1,000; i'm
provement and care of Armory Square and reser.
walton west of the Botanical Garden, 5000; i'm
provement Of Reservation II and site of old canal
$4,000; paving roadways to the north front of tho
Executive Mansion, 5000; care and repairs Ex-
ecutiye Mansion, $4,000; refurnishing Executive
Mansion, $4,000; fuel, $500; care and necessary
repairs of greenhouse, $500; care of Bennings,
Anaoostia and Chain bridges, including fuel, &C.,
$1,000; for gas, pay Of lamplighters plumbing,
lamps and repairs of all kinds, fuel for office,
watchmen's lodges, and for greenhouse at the
nursery, $1,000; repairs of water pipes and ex-
tending same, purchase of apparatus to clean the
springs that supply the Capitol, Executive Man
sion, State, War, and Navy Department buildings,
$500; repair of telegraph connecting the Capitol
with the Departments, 1900. Total amount OF es-
timate Slq3OOO