Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-02-07
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
Buildings Historic and 0therwise-New Depart.
ment Buildings-Congressiona Work-Fitz
John Porter-New Clerks.

WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
Buildings Historic and Otherwise-New Depart.
ment Buildings-Congressiona Work-Fitz
John Porter-New Clerks.
From our Regular CORES pondent
WASHINGTON, January %, 1851
Some few years ago the square just
west of the White House contained
many oldfashioned and historic build
ings, prominent among which stood the
old War and Navy departments These
old departmental buildings were points
OF much interest to the visitor; they
We're excellent examples of the Ameri-
can architecture of nearly century
ago, and presented striking contrast
to the massive marble buildings of the
Government of to-day. They were curl
Gus old structures. of almost cores
ponding size and plan. Their walls
were of plain brick, painted dingy
drab; on the interior they were dark
and dusty, while brick floors added to
the general rusticity. One by one these
old buildings have given way to the
steady march of the new State, War,
and Navy Department building towards
completion. The old War Department
was demolished about four years ago;
only the old Navy building now re-
mains. But its destruction will begin
on the eighteenth of next month. In
many respects this is the most import
ant and interesting old building of them
all. Many associations of the early
days of the Government attach to the
place. 1t was The first departmental
building constructed by the Govern
ment. Its two lower stories were built
in 1898, and at that time there was en-
closed within the walls four depart
ments of the young government, State,
Treasury, War, and Navy. 1t will be
but few years before al the old his
toric land marks of the Capital will have
passed away to make room for the new
city.
The new State, War, Ind Navy De-
partment, which is built of granite and
is to occupy the entire square, will be
the largest and handsomest depart
mental building. 1t already forms an
imposing flank to the left side of the
White House, and will greatly enhance
that executive centre of the city. This
squares which bar Pennsylvania avenue
and cause it to describe an angle around
the nest of Government buildings. In
the central square is situated the White
House, surrounded by beautiful park
with flowers, fountains, and ratings.
At the right of this park is the Treasury
while on the square at the left is being
reared the new structure. At night es-
pecially this section presents an attrac-
tive scene. From the Treasury depends
belt of electric lights, and the White
House is radiant with the glare of the
many gas lamps upon its porticos and
about the grounds. The north, south,
and east wings of the new buildings
have already been built and the debris
of the old Navy Department will be
cleared away in time to permit the COM
mencement of work upon its west wing
by the first of April. The conventional
massive pillars and columns of the
present departments will be missed
from the new building. 1t is of modern
architecture, and illustrates the depar-
| ture which has been made by the Gov
eminent of late years in its structures.
The new Pension building, the National
Museum, the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing, and the Agricultural Depart
ment, are all brick structures. They
are also examples of this architectural
departure, and afford pleasing change
from the conventional marble of the
Interior Department. the Postoflice De
partment, and the Capitol
The showering of reports from com
mittees proves that Congress is busily at
work, although the routine proceedings
on the floors of the two houses are as
| yet of no particular interest. A large
part of the general legislation which will
| be considered at this session is already
reported or in very forward state in
committee. The appropriations and
the ways and means committees are
both of them silent as yet, and the bank
no sign. Two tariff bills are soon to be
submitted to the committee on ways and
means. One by its chairman provides
for horizontal reduction of twenty per
centum in existing rates; the other, by
Mr.. Hewitt, is based on comparison of
existing rates and the various tables
that have been in use or proposed for
adoption by the government.
In the House, the best part of the
week was consumed by the three hun
bred amiable gentlemen who don't
know much about the war, but who in
sist on debating that perennial theme
the Fitz John Porter bill When this
bill gets to the President his soul will be
sorely tried. With Senator Logan at
one ear and General Grant at the other,
he may well sing with Captain Mac
| beath,-
How happy could be with either
| Were t'other dear charmer away
The Senate had the courage to adopt
a resolution providing that every Sena-
tor not the chairman of committe may
employ clerk or private secretary at a
per diem of So. LEMON.
Vol. OF Mr.. Blaine's political history,
which is almost completed, will conclude
with the close of Lincoln's administra-
ton. tits said that Mr.. Blaine has found
the task of writing this volume an ardu-
Gus one, but that the second volume,
which will cover period with which he
is personally familiar, will be compare
lively easy work 1t is evidently the
second volume by which Mr. Blaine's ge-