The Dawson journal., 1884-02-07
Washington Letter.
FremTour Regular Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 2S.

- HAonINdION, Jan. 70, 1854
Some few years ago the square
Just west of the White House con-
tanned many old-fashed and histo-
rlc buildings, prominent among
which stood the old War and
Navy departments. These old de-
partmentaf buildings were points
OF much interest to the visitor:
they were excellent examples Of
the American architecture Of near
~ q century ago, and presented a
striking contrast to the massive
marble buildings Of the Govern
ment of to-day. They were curl
Gus old structures, of almost cor
responding size and plan. Their
walls were of plain brick, painted
q dingy drab; on the interior they
were dark and dusty, while brick
floors added to the general rustici-
tN One by one. these old build
lngs have given way to the steady
march of the new State, War, and
Navy Department building to-
wards completion. The old War
Department was demolished about
| four years ago; only the old NAVY
buildings now remains. But its
destruction will beginTon the
eighteenth of next month. In
many respects this is the most i'm
portant and interesting old build
ing Of them all. Many associa-
tons of the early days Of the
Government attach to the place.
1t was the first Departmental
building constructed by the Gov
ernment It's two lower stories
were built in 1888, and at that
time there was enclosed within
the walls four departments of the
young government State, Treas
ury, War, and Navy. It will be
bnt few years before all the old
historic land marks Of the Capitol
will have passed away to 1s.lke
room for the new city.
The new State, War, and Navy
Department, which is built Of
grant, and is to occupy the entire
square, will be the largest and
handsome,t departmental build
ing. 1t already forms an impos-
ing flank to the left side of the
White House, and will greatly en-
hance that executive centre of the
city. This executive section com
prises three squares which bar
Pennsylvania Avenue and cause it
to describe an angle around the
nestof Government buildings. In
the central square is situated the
White House, surrounded by a
beautiful park with flowers, foun-
tains and ratings. At the right
Of this park IS the Treasury, while
on the So ~re at the leftis being
reared the new structure. Al
night especially this section pre-
sents an attractive scene. From
the Treasury depends a belt OF
electric lights, and the White
House is radiant with the glare of
the many gas lamps upon its port
icos and about the grounds. The
north, south, and east wings Of the
new building have already been
built and the debris OF the old
Navy Department will be cleared
away III time to permit the com
mencement Of work upon its west
wings by the first Of April. The
conventional massive pillars and
columns of the present depart
ments will be missed from the
new building. 1t is 'of modern
architecture, and illustrates the
departure which has been made
by the Government Of late years
in its structures. The nev Pen
sion building, the National Muse
um, the Bureau of Engraving and
Printing, aud the Agricultural
Department are all brick.struc-
lures. They are also examples Of
this architectural department., and
afford a pleasing change from the
conventional marble of the Interi-
or Department, the Post-ofice
Department, and the Capitol.
The 6howering of reports from
committees proves that Congress
is busily at work, although the
routine proceedings on the floors
of the two houses are as yet Of no
particular intereset A large part
Of the. general legislation which
will be considered at this session
is already reported or in very
forward state in committee. But
the most important bills have yet
to come in. The appropriations
and the ways and means commit
tees are both of them silent as
yet, and the banking and curren-
CIV committee has Inadc no sign.
Two tariff bills are soon to be sub
mitted to the committee on ways
and means. One by It's chairman
provides for horizontal reduc-
tion of t&enty per centum in exis-
ting rates; tie other, by Mr.. He
witt, is based on a comparison OF
existing rates and the various ta-
L., 4Io4 bo,,o hoo,, -, 1,Sa Of 1,i.o