The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-11-21
The Capitol Building.
From the Washington Sunday Gazette.

now SOON IL WOulu De IOunu inadequate C(
the legislative purposes for which it wa:
intended. The cornerstone was laid in the
southeast corner of the original building
and the north wing was finished in 1900
the south wing in 1911. In August, 1914
the British destroyed the interior of both
wings, but it was Immediately repaired
In 1918 the central portion was commenc-
ed, and in 1927 the building was finally
completed the cost being 2,433, ,84413
Not quarter of century elapsed before
the cornerstone of the 'extension" was
laid, which happened July 4th, 1851
President Fillmore performing the cere-
mony and Daniel Webster officiating as the
orator of the day The Senate extension
was first completed, both House and Senate
being finished in 1867. And in the past
few years, though no more extensions are
being made above the basement, increased
accommodations having been found neces-
sary, considerable undermining and exten-
sive additions at the basement and cellar
wings for the purpose of building walls and
rooms have been done, and more rooms
given for the benefit of the committees Of
both Houses.
The dome Of the original central build
ing was constructed of wood, but was re-
moved in 1856 to be replaced by the pres
ent stupendous structure of cast iron, which
was completed in 1865. The entire weight
of iron used is 8,909, 200 pounds.
THE BUILDING PROPER.
The main building is three hundred and
ffty-two feet four inches long in front and
one hundred and twenty-one feet six inches
deep, with portico one hundred and sixty
feet wide, of twenty-four columns on the
east, and projection of eighty-three feet
on the west, embracing recess portico of
ten coupled columns The extensions are
placed at the north and south ends of the
main building, with connecting corridors
forty -four feet long by fifty-six feet wide,
fanked by columns. Each extension is
one hundred and forty two feet eight inches
in front, by two hundred and thirty-eight
feet ten inches deep, with porticos of twenty
two columns each on their eastern fronts,
and with porticos of ten columns on their
ends and on their western fronts The
entire length of the building is seven hun
dred and fifty-one feet four inches, and the
greatest depth, including porticos and steps,
is three hundred and twenty four feet. The
area covered by the entire building is one
hundred and fifty-three thousand one hun
dred and twelve square feet.
The dome is crowned by bronze statue
of Freedom, modelled by Crawford, which
is nineteen feet six inches high, and which
weighs 1895 pounds The height of the
dome above the base-line of the east front
is two hundred and eighty-seven feet five
inches; the height from the top of the
balustrade of the building is two hundred
and seventeen feet eleven inches and the
greatest diameter at the base is one hun
dred and thirty-fve feet FIVE inches.
The rotunda is ninety-fve feet six inches
in diameter, and its height from the floor
to the top Of the canopy is one hundred
and eighty feet three inches.
The Senate Chamber is one hundred and
thirteen feet three inches in length, by
eighty feet three inches in width, and thirty
six feet in height. Its galleries will ac-
The Representatives Hall is one hun
dred and thirty-nine feet in length, by
ninety three feet in width, and thirty-six
feet in height,
The Supreme Court room was occupied
by the Senate until December, 1859, the
court having previously occupied the room
beneath, now used as law library
VI. r .pG n L
the British in 1914, and was partially de-
stroyed by an accidental fire 1851. The
present centre hall was finished in 1861,
and the wing halls were finished in 1867.
THE LIBRARY.
The Library of Congress occupies the
entire western projection of the central
Capitol building The original library was
commenced in 1900, but was destroyed
with the Capitol in 1914, during the war
with England. It was afterwards replen-
ished by the purchase of the library be-
longing to ex-President Jefferson, by Con-
gress, embracing about 1000 volumes. In
1851 it contained $4,000 volumes, and by
an accidental fire in that year the whole
collection was destroyed, except 10000
volumes 1t was rebuilt in 1852, when
$4,000 was appropriated in one sum to
replepish the collection. The new library
halls, three in number, are fitted up with
ornamental iron cases and iron ceilings, the
whole being perfectly fre-proQf, The IL
brary is recruited by regular appropriations
made by Congress, which average about
Sl1 900 per annum; also by additions re-
ceived by copyright, by exchanges and from
the Smithsonian Institution, The library
was also enriched by the presentation to the
Government, in 1882, of the large private
library of Dr. Joseph NJ Toner, of this
city, numbering over $4,000 volumes, be-
sides nearly as many pamphlets. There are
262 persons employed in the Capitol build,
ing, exclusive of committee clerks. Of
this number twenty are employed in the
library.
now THEY ARE EMPLOYED.
Two employees are under the President
of the Senate and thirty-one in the Office
of the secretary to that body. Forty-eight
are under the sergeant-at-arms in the docu-
ment and folding rooms, pOstofice and
heating and ventilating department. In
the House of Representatives there are
three employees directly under and appoint
ed by the Speaker. Under the clerk of
the House thirty-two answer to his call,
whilst the sergeant-at-arms has seven,
Under the doorkeeper-QIeEk, messengers,
soldiers roll, folding room, document room,
etc,-f0rty-six answer to the roll call In
the postofRce there are eighteen more and
in the heating and ventilating nine persons
are necessary to regulate that important
physical work. There are thirty Capitol
police and watchmen, exclusive Of the cap
tain. OF official reporters there are ten
FIVE for each House. There are ffty-fve
committee clerks in the House and fifty in
the Senate also one messenger on each of
the appropriation committees of both
Houses This would make the total ag-
gregate number of persons employed in the
Capitol at three hundred and seventy-one.
This may be below the number, but it Ger
tainly is not above 1t must be also re-
membered that there are many chore-women
and laborers who help to swell the army of
Office holders in and around the Capitol.
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