National Republican., 1883-01-03
UNCLE sAnrs orr1cns.
The War, state, und Navy Buildings and
Those who work Therein.


The hypercritics who complain of the Capt.
tol, building after the proportions Of ST.
Peters at Rome, are not expected to be
pleased with tho new War, State, and Navy
department now nearing completion; never
tholcss, it is one Of the finest specimens of the
French renaissance now in existence. It's po-
sition is exceedingly fortunate. 1t is far re-
moved from the Capitol-whch of necessity,
dwarls everything near it-and the white
house stands between IL and the massive sim
plicity of the treasury building. A kind Of
clairvoyance seems to have directed the loca-
tion and style of the few truly great public
buildings in Washington. On one side of the
white house stands the vast pile of the United
States treasury, which its size only saves from
baroness of design and detail. On the other
side stands the war, state, and navy building,
elaborate, full of decoration, and beyond
question noble and imposing. 1t is of light
gray stone, brought from Maryland quarrics,
and has n general effect like section of the
Louvre transplanted to Washington. IL is
set upon beautiful terrace, with finely
worked balustrade. There are people in
plenty who know tho exact length width,
and breadth of il, but such figures are un-
meaning to most minds. II is enough to say
that the building is so graceful, so finely con-
ceived and executed, that one involuntariy
feels architecture to be one Of the finest of
the fine arts. It's admirable proportions do
not discover its size until by walking around
10 or ascending the tiers of granite steps, one
finds that ones strength does not compass
what the eye so readily takes in. Inside the
door, as in every department in Washington,
is messengcr--a man for tho use of the
public-who directs visitors, sends for
guides answers fool questions, and
makes himself generally useful. These
functionaries, IL colored are exceedingly civil
and highly ornate in manner. Nothing on
earth can exceed the patronizing good nature,
the delicious savoir-faire of coored office
holder. He regards himself and the world
at large with comprehensive complacence.
The world is his oyster, and he has opened it
successfully, and he is disposed to be genial
therefore He supplies information with an
air of friendly interest that is extremely
gratifying to visitors. As for the white peo-
pie around about department, their pre-
tension Is i'm inverse ratio to their impor-
tance. A 81 500 clerk is mighty being;
$1,000 chief of division is aware that
this planet could spin without him,
although slightly conscious Of his merits a
chief Of bureau is likely TO be still more
modest until when one reaches cabinet
officer he is usually plain and unpretending
man.
All government employees complain of their
hours, their quarters SC. But that is due to
the old Adam which crops out in some form or
other everywhere, The rooms in the new
building are large, high ceiled, generously
windowed, and well ventilated. The offices
are furnished, many of them luxuriously,, in
Office style. While in some this reaches the
limit Of extravaganza, there is a basis of COM
mon sense for IL all. While the government
is appropriating money for u carpet it appro-
tN,sis Nag. t.Ul, hn1xw L.
velvet, or Administer. 1t must be remem-
bered that luxurious carpet has an immense
amount of wear in 1t. When these carpets
are put down they do not change with the
caprices Of style. They stay until they are
shabby. The furniture likewise is invaria-
bly, of the best quality, well stuffed Turkish
chairs and sofas, and substantial walnut
desks and tables being usual and it would
be obviously absurd to put ilimsy lace curtains
and cretonne lambrequins in rooms otherwise
handsomely furnished, and of proportions that
demand something better than trashy orna-
mentation. The cOrnices then and curtains
are usually handsome, but are virtuously
darned and mended when occasion requires.
The new building is kept as scrupulously
clean as the other public buildings in WASH
ington, only that blot on American civiliza-
ton, the spittoon, still holds place in every
one Of them. The War, State, and Navy de-
partments are all to be accommodated under
this one roof, and three senator's three men,
bers of the house, and the three secretaries of
state, war, and the navy-Mr. Frelinghuysen
Mr.. Lincoln, and Mr.. Chandler--are at present
engaged in apportioning rooms to the several
departments. The dsagreeables of too many
families under the same roof are vividly
portrayed in this building. If navy de-
partinent man hangs his hat on war depart
ment peg, OFF flies the war department man to
Secretary Lincoln, demanding an explana-
tion from Secretary Chandler. If Navy
department woman looks in n State depart
ment mirror, word is Immediately reported
to Secretary Frelinghuysen, and anarchy and
heart burnings result. These little breezes
rullc the still waters of official life, and help
keep the employees alive. On the first floor
on the right of the main entrance, is the
office of the general of the army. There sits
grim Tecumseh, always busy, always carry
ing more steam to the square inch than any
other man in this country Once in hun
dred times he is in Il good humor--chatty
full of anecdote and good nature; the other
ninety-nine times he Is swapping turtle
He does not care cuss foranybody oranything
and something to be liked about Gen. Sher-
man is that he is not bit of popularity
hunter. He is just as likely to sit down on
Mr., Frelinghuysen as on any clerk in the
department.. When Teoumseh is in bad
humor 1t is dangerous to fool around him.
Don't monkey with the buzz-saw" is Il very
window which looks straight toward the
white house - q window which stares
ominously straight toward the house in which
Gen, Sherman says to live is hell. But Tecum-
sch has a way Of characterizing things that
is moro forciblo. than accurate. For in
stance, he will say he wants to 80 to
New York, "butit's all hell to get there" or
course the hell that he alludes to is a bagatelle
| compared with the genuine article-a mere
spectacular drama, as 1t were-but such as IL
Is, Tecumseh is not bashfnl about mentioning
it. Around tho walls hang pictures Of bufla
loes and prairie scenes. Tho old fellow has to
this day hankering after the plains He
sits in a revolving chair, turning cigar be-
tween his lips, his ugly nut-cracker face knit
with care generally, although sometimes spark
ling with curt good humor. The instant n
football crosses the threshold Tecumseh whirls
around in his chair and is ready for business,
When he is in a good humor he Is delightful,
When ho isn't in a good humor he is perfectly
dreadful. Still, he is so devoid of preten-
sion, his very snappishness is so honest in
itself that it is naturally condoned. The ola
fellow likes boys and girls, but when n senator
or any distinguished and long winded per-
sonago comes to bother him, they find them
selves fired out before they know ii, The
staircases and corridors of the new building
-