Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-06-27
WASHINGTON, D. c., June 96, 1884,

WASHlNGIONi ~ w ""A ~
Mr.. Editor =
The great consideration which
enters into the construction of private
edifices in the city, as well as that exhib-
tied in the public buildings, now IN the
course of erectionc is to make them PROOF
against fire. The structures are more
UNIQUE in architectural design and more
substantial. The walls are thicker, and
the girders and joists are iron' Inc
spirit of improvement does not stop with
the erection of costly palaces to be occu-
MED nv the weather class of residents,
nor in laying out streets and pavements'
nor in identifying the public parks by
costly statues, but extends charitabiy 10
the populace. A wealthy citizen has con-
tributed a sum sufficient for the erection
of a fountain to supply the crowds on the
streets with a continuous stream OF coid
water. This muniicient contribution Is
made to the city authorities subject to the
condition that the city pay for the gas to
light the fountain, and keep constant
supply of ice in the refrigorating reservoir
through which is passed a coil of pipe
that feeds the fountain, which is located
at the juncture of two public thorough
fares. This looks like temperance
movement which will appeal to every
thirsty man on the streets more eloquent
" and forcibly than the lecturer. For the
want of glass of cold water on a hot DAY
resort must be had to a restaurant, ana
failing toget water, must buy substitute
Recently part of day was spent loit-
tering about the capitol. Upon approach
ing it while the sun was at meridian, look
ing at the bronze statute recently erected
at the foot of the last flight of stairs on
the West side, the thought occurred that
there was a want of fitness in the selection
of the site, and the impression was deep
ened upon entering the building where
are seen statutes of warriors arrayed IN all
the accoutrements of "grim visaged war,
and this question was up quickly for So
linton. would it not have been more ap-
propriate to the stations in life which each
was called upon to fill, to have placed
chief Justice Marshalls statute inside the
capitol. and the warriors outside. II
might not be prudent to say much about
the impressions made by visit to the
galleries of the Senate and House. Thai
which will appear most striking to the
visitor in a comparison of the two Houses
is the quiet on the floor of the Senate and
the hustle and noise on the floor OF the
House, which may, in a measure, be due
TO the size of the body. To our observer
in the gallery it appears that no one IL
paying the least attention to what Is un'
der consideration. But little pleasure Is
therefore to be denied from visits to the
House while in session, if the object be to
listen to what is said upon the questions
pending, unless there is an effort to at
tach political significance to the subject
matter in controversy, many attractive
sights are O be seen at the capitol.
The building itself is vast structure
To attempt description of it, as to It's
location and the wisdom exhibited In the
selection of the site, as to its architecture
as to the material used in its construc-
ton, as to its adaptation to meet the re-
ouirements of the capitol of a great ma
ton, as to the works of art which beautiiy
it, would be task for the critic. Its
vastness does not appear upon casual
inspection. To get comprehensive IDEA
of it requires attention to details, plans oil
the structure, architectural design, the
material used, the immense weight and
the entire cost of the structure. But my
letter is getting too long, more anon.
Merrill