Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-11-23

Two weeks from To-Day the FOrty-ninth Con-
gress will convene, and there is a hustle of
preparation at the Capitol, putting the building
III final readiness for the event. The work of
cleaning up, repairing and making improve
ments generally has been going on at the Capt.
tol during the entire recess. Under the direct
supervision of Chief Clerk Towles, a new car.
pet of original design has been laid on the floor
OF the House. The carpet was made to order,
and 800 yards, the quantity hitherto used to
cover the floor, was ordered. But with the view
to economy. design in which the figures
formed perfect square was adopted.
A great deal of cutting has to be
join pieces and fragments 1855 yards were
cleaned, revarnished, &C., and the gildings and
brass work repOlshed. The corridor Of the
members private lobby on the south side of the
100 feet long by feet wide. The private sit
ting or retiring rooms, just across the lobby are
furnished with the same heavy and elegant set
OF furniture which was bought for that purpose.
1t is as good as new.
THE LOBBY AND CLOAK ROOMS.
Hitherto the lobby floor has been left uncov-
cred, and the Gathering of many feet upon the
marble thing has added no little TO the noise
and confusion which so frequently distu rbed
rooms have been repafnted in light colors and re-
nescoed in soft tintS the happy effects Of which
is to be seen ., glance: Hitherto those rooms,
been dark and gloomy. The change is cheer
full one. The cloak rooms are carpeted for the
first time, and the House will be spared the
noise made by the contact of heavy
boot heels with the marble thing The
floors are covered with heavy rugs of
the color being selected with a view to con.
ceal cigar ashes and tobacco stains. The COM
mittee rooms have been Overhauled and gener-
ally cleaned; the post office has been made
more commodious and convenient; the fixtures
have been newly painted, and in one corner an
ample space for members to assert their mail or
do such writing as they wish has been provided.
The reporters gallery and connecting rooms
have been carpeted all over with fine body
Brussels carpet; the old furniture has been
added. In fact, the reporters gallery is more
com iortable now than ever before.
The Sneakers room has been laid with an
elegant Wilton velvet carpet, rich red predomi-
mating, and a bright gold border surrounding
it. The carpet is peculiarly appropriate to the
heavy old mahogany furniture in the room.
The folding rooms, clerks offices and docu-
ment rooms have been given thorough clean
ing and retouching
THE SENATE WING.
On the Senate side of the Capitol there has
been less new material purchased, as that wing
had been more recently supplied with carpets,
furniture, ETC., than the House. Under the
direction, however, of Sergeant-at-ArmsC Cana
day, the painters, frescoers. upholsterers and
cleaners have impaired O bright new look to
everything. An additional committee-room
has been created by taking out the closets in
the northwest corner of the basement floor and
removing them beneath the stairway, near the
library Committeeman. The rooms of the
committees on claims and privileges and cleo
tions have been newly frescOed. he restaurant
is being handsomely fitted up and changes
made which will add to the convenience of the
patrons
The middle portion of the building has re-
ceived its due share of attention under the SUI
pervision of Architect Clark. Nor has the clean
ing process been confined to the interior Forces
of wOrkmen mounted upon high platforms and
scaffoldS have secured and rubbed the exterior
walls, the columns of the porches and the ia
cades until they look as bright and clean as If
newly! erected.