Daily Republican., 1882-12-06
A TRlP TO wASNINGTOE.
"hat a "ReDubIICan" Repreaen
tA'iVo Saw ON a VisII TO the Ma.
UOnai CapIGOl.

What n 'RepubIICan" Repreaeu
ta'iVo Saw ON a VlsII 10 the Ma
: uOnRi Capitol.
10 person who has never yisiteC
washington, D. G., the Capitol of th,
United States, the irst trip is generalJ ,
one long to be remembered on accom-
Vi Cne many objects of interest which
are to be seen there. Especially wa,
thlS the case with the writer who spen
tnree days last week in visiting som,
OF tEe many places of interest TO b,
iound In that city, and a short descrip,
tlon OF the trip will no doubt be of
interest 10 many of our readers.
The writer left Wilmington on Fri
uay last at 2 o'clock, a. m., going nv
way of the ?. W. & B. railroad on the
night express. The train being an ex.
press but three stops were made he.
Tween this city and Washington, viz
ferryville and Haqre-de-Grac where
snort stops were made, after which the
Train steamed away from tae latter
place at Lightning speed and continued
on until Baltimore was reached where
ten minutes stop was made for the
purpose of changing engineer and con
uuctors. Everything being in readi-
ness, the signal was given and the mag
siVe iron horse started slowly out of
the depot, increasing its speed az it ad-
Vanced until the desired rate was at
tanned.
AT the above point the train left the
tracks OF the P W. q r. railroad for
those Of the Baltimore g. Potomac,
which are controlled by the PenDsyi-
vanla Railroad Company from Baiti-
more to Washington. After a ride of
about an hour aad half the National
Caplto' was reached. A glance at tue
indicator showed tnat 1t was only 6
O'Clock and The writer pushed ont into
the street, which he found apparently
deserted, for, as rule, the people of
Washington do not stir as early as in
Other cities. But as daylight began to
break, the street became more lively
and by o'clock everything was in
working order. The day was spent in
traversing the town from one end to the
other and taking in the exterior views.
On Friday evening visit was paid to
the National Theatre, the leading place
OF Amusement in the city, where the
BLACK Flag" was in full vogue. The
play was tirst.class in every particular
and should it ever visit Wilmington, a
crowded house would no doubt greet it.
The leading characters were Mr.. and
Mrs. Nat Goodwin, who are well
known to Theatre goera here, and Ed
win r. ThOrne. The National is large
theatre and is always well tilled. After
leaving the Theatre a call was made at
the office of the Post, where A. f. Fran.
cts, formerly Of your city, is employed in
the editorial department.
In company with that gentleman q
short walk was taken and then we
Gurned in for the night. Bright and
early next morning, after procuring a
warm breakfast, . visit to the Capitol
was made. At this place it was found
that great preparations had been made
for the re-assembliug of Congress, and
as a result both wings Of the Capitol
looked as bright and attractive as the
interior of.a new home.
IMPROVEMENTS AT THE CAPITOL.
In the Senate Chamber there is a
brand new carpet Of subdued color
and decidedly aesthetic design. The
desks have bean newly rubbed down
with skellac and lock as if they were
new, The chairs have been freshly up.
hOlstered in Russian leather and are
also of bright appearance. In about
a dozen instances Senators have re-
quested that different sorts of chairs
from the regular pattern be furnished
them. Senator Cameron has taken to o |
hard bottom chair, boards being less
liable to generate heat. Senator Nit |
Chell has large easy Cane.seat chair |
with swinging back, which acCords
with his love of ease. Senator Vest
also has a Cane-seat with very straight
back, indicative Of the Senator's alert
ness and vim. The chair of the Vice
President is q very elaborate, high
backed affair, and is also newly up
holStered in Turkey red, elegantly en-
DOssed.
Several changes have also taken
place in the committee rooms of the
Senate. Those of the finance have re-
GENTLY been enlarged, some of the furni-
,ure being re modelled to aCComm odate
;bo two additional members. 1t must
De borne in mind that the committee
rooms have been furnished to a certain
plan; that is to say, where eleven men,
)ers are on committee there is q large
able usually occupying all the availa-
de space with FIVE seats on side and
lrawer to match, one seat at the head
or the chairman, and one at the bot ,
ON for the secretary. When any ad. :
lition Is made to the committee, which |
S Of course. a rare occurrence, the table I
must be heightened or else o new table !
must be put in. cutting down little of !
ZACH mans space ia order to make
oom for additional members. Over In
he House wing the same old carpet
ecoratesV the floor Of the hall. The
esks, however, are newly covered =
nth blue billiard cloth, and have been
ubbed down with shellac and varnish.
n this department much difficulty was
experienced to provide for the accom-
lOdation of 1926 members instead of 293 q q
8 heretofore and considerable altera- =
ions had to be made. The restaurants 0
ave been refitted and fixed up in fine
lyle, being quite an improvement on
aO old ones. Several minor improve y
rents have been made inthePresident's q
Jom, which, by the way, is furnished =
aborately and are handsome apart .
tents.
A visit was made to the basement Of
le building where the machinery was
operation. In this department \
ranger has to be very careful or he v
ill get lost in winding around the diff
rent corridors.
The machinery is all Of the most i'm.