The Somerset reporter., 1886-01-27
The vlce-Presldent's Room.

Probably the best appointed and fur
ni-hed room in the Capitol il that occu
pied ~ the President Of the Senate ano
known a. the Vice resident's room.
II adJoin- the celebrated Marble Room
~ winch visitors tn Senators are received
ana - Intended as the private office anc
retiring room of the President. Two
large windows facing the north afford a
magn!bcent panorama. embracing the
heights Of Washington. among the feat
nres OF which are the Soldier. Home
Howard University. and the sweep Of
country bordering Rock Creek, made his.
tone ring the rebellion by long chain
'f iorutcations and canvas city. which
a. the temporary abiding place Of hun
dreds Of thousands Of soldiers. Lace
Gu tains Of an exquisite and rare pattern
partially conceal the bare outlines Of the
window frames. aud the heavy lambre-
gums are both costly and magnificent in
design aud matria. Carpet Of Turk
IN combination covers the floor. and it,
Thickness Is sucn that not a football can
DE distinguished no matter how ma ppr-
sons may temporarily occupy the room.
Lh1unous-looking mahogany chairs u a
substantial make and upholstered in red
ieather, similar To the fashion 50 preya-
lent IN library furniture, ornament the
niches and corners, while a blue-cloth-
covered table Is the central object Of at
traction. On the comfortable leather
lounge, which matches the chairs and il
placed at the left Of the Eice-president /.
table. 'ice-President Henry Wilson of
Nassachn-etts. peacefully breathed his
last, surrounded by his associates Of the
PIPER House Of the national Legislature
An open fireplace. in which a blazing fire
OF OAK logs is constantly maintained dur
ing cold weather adds 70 the cheerful as
pect Of this apartment. and when the heat
becomes too intense for the Nice-Presi-
oent Japanese three-winyed screen j.
placed IN position behind his revolving
cane-seat chair. When it becomes nece,-
sary for night work, light is furnished by
drop from the gilt, bronze and crystal
chandelier just over the table. and from
The same source the president. sec
Rotary obtains light for hi, desk. which is
placed at right angl To the large table
anu ciose l" The windo-y in the northeast
extremity Of the apartment
over the marble mantel-piece is a large
plate-glass mirror occupying the entire
space between the two windows. and the
top OF which touches the ceiling. Thi,
nanked on either side by bronze figures
of sworded cavaliers. and the whole i in
a Striking contrast 10 = simple gilt mirror
about four feet long by two feet wide
winch Is the only piece Of antique furni-
lure IN the room There j history con-
nect@d with this mirror. however. and al
though 1t cost tribe over $40 wnen it
was purchased in the early days of the re-
public, II WAS characterized in the Senate
Chamber a. piece Of shameless, extray-
agance President Jonn Adams was the
offender, and he brought the mirror home
from fari>- ana eventually had il put UP
Tor his convenience in the room used By
nlih. Al present this mirror i in the
compartment containing stationary
Wa>hstand and its time-worn surface is
not very natterlng to those who avail
themselves of ii for making an attractive
toilet. OF all the handsomely decorated
and frescoed rooms in the Senate wing of
the Capitol that assigned to the Vice
President is the least conspicuous in this
respect. The walls are kalsomined white.
and the only relief to the monotony is a
single line Of green not more than half
an inch wide. Visitors to this room are
by a large bust portrait of
Ieorge "ashington. said To be the best
rxtant OF the Father of his Country. Ii
was painted by Rambrandt Pealt. for
whom a>tington sat. and the artist did
The subject ample justice. if the benign
,ountenance which looks down from the
canvass i any indication. 1t is amid
such surroundings that the presiding Off
,er OF the Senate attends TO his affairs,
ana the books OF ref renee which he finds
80 much use for are handily arranged in
all mahogany bookcase. the conte. Is be-
ne protected from dust and exposure by
,leated silk curtains and glass doors.
Near the door which leads into the wash
room is placed piiler Of hite marble.
.urmounted by bust of the late I.afay-
stte +. ). Foster, formerly a Senator
from Connecticut and president pro TIM
Jore of the Senate. Strangers who are
AIKEN into the room by the Capitol guides
IRE charmed with interesting stories about
Is former occupants. and the bust of Mr..
Foster has done duty a. the marble pre-
sentiment of every Nice-President since
.he independence of the United States
MAS dec Jared - II gsLju B.<,