The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-04

pet of Turkish combination covers the
floor and its thickness is such that not football
can be distinguished, no matter how many per
sons may temporarily occupy the room. Lux
urious-.ooking mahogany chairs. of a substantial
make and upholstered in red leather, similar 20
the fashion 60 prevalent In library furniture.
ornament the inches and corners, while capa-
cious clothcovered table is the central object of
attraction. On the comfortable leather lounge,
which matches the chairs, and is placed at ths
left of the Vicepresidents table, Vice president
Henry Wilson, of Massachusetts, peacefully
breathed his last, surrounded by his associates
OF the upper house of the national legislature.
An open Fireplace, in which blazing fire of oak
logs is constantly maintained during cold wealth
er adds to the cheerful aspect of this apart
ment, and when the heat becomes too intense
for the Vice-president, Japanese three winged
screen is placed in position behind his revolving
cane-seat chair. When it becomes necessary
for night work, light is furnished by a drop from
the gill;, bronze a1d crystal chandelier just over
the table, and from the same source the Vice
presidents secretary obtains light for his desk
which placed at right angles to the large table
and close to the window in the northeast extrem-
ity Of the apartment
Over the marble mantelpiece is large plate
glass mirror, occupying the entire space between
the two windows, and the top of which touches
the ceiling. This handsome piece of decorative
furniture is hanked on either side by bronze fig
ures of sworded cavaliers, and the whole is in
striking contrast to simple gilt mirror, about
four feet long by two wide, which is the only
piece of antique furniture in the room. There
is history connected with this mirror. however,
and, although it cost O trlfe over $40 when it
was purchased. in the early days of the Republic,
1t was characterized in the Senate chamber as a
piece OF shameless extravaganza" President
John Adams was the offender, and he brought
the mirror home from Paris and eventually had
it put up for his convenience in the room used
by him. at present this mirror is in the COM
partment containing a stationary washstand and
its time worn surface is not very fattering to
those who avail themselves of it 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 presi
dent is the least conspicuous in this respect. The
walls are kalsomined white, and the only relief
to the monotony is single line OF green, not
more than half an inch wide Visitors to this
room are attracted by large portrait of George
Washington, said to be the best picture extant
OF the Father of his Country. It was painted by
Rembrandt Peale, for whom Washington sat,
and the artist did the subject ample justice. if
the benign cauntenance which looks down from
the canvas is any indication of the character of
the sage of Mount Vernon. 1t is amid such sur
roundings that the presiding officer Of the Sem
ate attends to his affairs, and the books of ref
erence which he finds so much use for are
handily arranged in q tall mahogany bookcase,
the contents being protected from dust and ex-
posure by cardinal pleated silk curtains and
glass doors. Near the door which leads into the
wash-room is placed pillar Of white marble
surmounted by bust of the late Lafayette F. s.
Foster, formerly senator from Connecticut
and president pro tempore of the Senate.
Strangers who are taken into this room by the
Capitol guides are charmed with interesting
but not absolutely historical stories about its
former occupants, and the bust of Mr.. Foster
has done duty as the marble presentment of
every Vicepresident since the independence of
the United States was declared