New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-06-08
NATURE AND ART At THE CAPITAL.
ELECTRICITY-MAR vs.. SANDSTONE
PLANTS AND TREES.

NATURE AND ART AT THE CAPIlAL
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. vs.. SANDSTONE
PLANTS AND TREES.
TFROM TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENCE % THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, June For the last few weeks
public buildings the city have been handed over 70
the tender merces OF a number OF electric light compa-
nies nghtfa you cannot stir without encounterDg
in every direction the full glare Of their They have
been allowed place the lights in every conceivable po
On on the dome Of the CAPITOL on ts roof on the flag
sai the Smithsonian Institutions on the top Of the Wash
ngOn Monument at each Of the Of the Treasury
Building; in short everywhere that ingenuity could have
suggested the swinging OF and the suspension or
lamps. Without wishing to dsparage the electric hght,
may say that this instance It's use has been
carried little far The lights at the top of the Capt
tol dome for example are positive Disagreement Of that
building So the lanterns perched on the roof Of the
Treasury and the globes which hang suspended about
thirty feet from the ground thin iron poles at each or
the four corners, and in other places all around this
fine structure In the OF the Capitol the archi-
tecural outline Of the dome or at least that or its
upper part has completely destroyed b. the reflect
placed above and behind the lights % Increase their
brancy The benefits derived ~ this mode Of light
ing especially 10 the case Of the Capitol small The
height which the lights are placed makes them com"
paratvey valueless Of Illuminating the sur
rounding grounds Looked upon from artistic point
OF view their value becomes smaller STILL 10 may well
by magnificent proportions OF the structure and the
superb dome it looms in the darkness Or stormy
night when its outlines are thrown against moonle
sky IL heightened by glare the top and string OF
re-bugs along the cOrnice OF the building only people
like the official who the other day declared he had never
seen anything beautiful IN his life than Niagara
illuminated by red light, viii admire this kind of cleo
| trical display.
Tastes however. may differ. 1 am reminded Of q
| ttI whiph I he
witness last week. ago Dr salvia. of Venice
presented the Government with portrait In mosaic OF
Garfield similar portrait OF Lincoln, also the gift OF
the gentleman. hangs already in what Is known as
statuary Hall when Garfield portrait arrived at the
Department sent by Secretary Frenghuysen
TO the Senate accompanied ny letter which explained
the origin OF the GIFT aud all about It, IL found its way TO
the OF the Library Committee IN the ordinary course
OF business It admired faithful likeness or tho
late President and the ingenuity Of the artist In handling
those curious little bits Of colored stone
porcelain evoked the tycliest admiration, which was
not the less sincere because silent One Of the
critics present, however seemed perpexed ventured
TO inquired what faults If any, he had TO find with
the work before him. "Wel he remarked after first CIV
ing expression % Ills views about the mosaic portrait
81 don't why Dr. Saeratus, or whatever his name
IT, wanted put checkered shirt Garfield. II isn't
the fashion anyway, and II was, it dOesnt look
nice don't like cheokered shirt" and with that be
turned his heels and walked out OF the room. This
a fact.
The difference between the material employed in the
main portion OF the Capitol building and that used in the
construction Of the two wings has often been mentioned
az OF the great bcmshes resting upon the structure
II undoubtedly Is The main middle part is built
kind OF sandstone which requires painting every few
years 10 make 1t conform in color TO the wings, which
are OF marble. Even then the disparity remains ap-
parent As time advances n rich mellow tone Is I'M
parted the marble which II is impossible TO repr-
duce in painting the sandstone It's varegated huss
tras strangely with the cold color color he, OF
the white centre portion Every year. of course, the
difference becomes marked and harder 70 conceal
How meet the difficulty without rebuilding the main
part question which has engaged the attention OF
number OF architects. Recently, Mr.. Clarke, the
architect OF the Capitol, has submitted plan
which would not only do away with the
necessity of tearing down any OF the old portions OF tho
building but which would also meet the demand for In
creased facilities In the way OF committee rooms and
other accommodations II is nothing than to
whole centre leaving the old walls To act whenever
practicable the sides OF light or air shafts THIS an
would surround the main portion with row OF commit
rooms enlarge the accommodations or the Supreme
Court and make necessary TO throw forward the main
stairs Whether would destroy the graceful outline Of
the facade of the main features OF the building
is question upon which few persons dare say Will be
able to agree 1t recommended chiefly account Of
the small expense it would involve, as compared with
consideration wnich Wrigas heavily with
Congress- least In Its present temper. The other i'm
provements contemplated the plans for which ap-
proved time ago, making Roadway very slowly.
unwngness the part OF the House 70 appropriate
money promptly the Of the delay The senate has
already voted the requisite amount. Inc "im-
provements" are 4 stone wall the west
side OF the building, taking the place OF y
terraced lawn, grand staircase Oh the same side,
and suitable approaches on the north aud south sides
Thought will relieve the Capitol OF the "sqnatty APP
pearance IL is SAID 10 have now when approached from
the aide There persons who fail TO recognize the
squattineSs or the building In It's present condition.
but then they 10 be IN minority and such
not be presumed 10 know too much on such matter.
tits matter OF regret that Congress cannot be induced
20 something for the Botanical Gardens attached 10
the Capitol grounds. Tho lighthouses are In wretchcd
condition and the plants kept there actually suffering
from OF IL Is 10 be doubted whether liner
specimens OF palms be found anywhere in the world
within LIGHTHOUSES. OF course. There are specimens
fully seventy feet hlgh whlch crowd their broken
against the glass and ptiable
neglect and carelessness. The superintendent can
probably do no better than he does under the present
circumstances. What seems Is raise the
roof This could probably be done the cost OF couple
OF thousand dollars IL the average COngres sman could
be induced 10 take some interest in such things, tho
amount necessary Tor making suitable alterations would
be voted readily enough perhaps
Talking about plants reminds the old trees in the
grounds surrounding the White House. They decay
ing by one. Scarcely to-day that is a.
old the mansion A number have fallen this summer
under the and few remain with historical
Citations attached To them There are still some under
bark OF which their children cut their initials. Tho
President has saved many tree which the landscape
gardener In his fury for improvement wished 10 condemn
When decay, however, shows itself too plainly there
nothing 10 DO but cut tho tree down New trees OF
planted tast the old win
be years before the grounds can glory again in such ans