The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1886-09-30
QUA wAs1aINeroN LETTER,
WAsHIEeT0N, D, O., Sept. 81, 1886.
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WAsHNeTJN, D, O., Sept. 81, 1856.
To the Editor OF the EmpoEia NEWS.
The president arrived home on Wednes
day evening, looking well and hearty after
his sojourn in the woods. With
characteristic bashs1lness the chief mag
istrate avoided meeting an anticipated
crowd by having his lprivase
carriage driven to the rear OF
the depot, so that he escaped with.
out passing through the depot building.
Postmaster General and Mrs. Villas re-
ceiVed his excelIency and wife At the
White House, and for . time all was
animation, brilliancy and hustle. During
the day the mansion was closed 70 the
pubic and given . thorough cleaning
inside with broom and Outside with 8
hose. The next morning the president
was early at his desk, as before his vaca-
ton, and during the dAV dispensed with
the cabinet meeting snd received the
many visitors that called. Mrs. C1eves
land and her mother spent good portion
OF the day IN shopping, and her presence
IN front OF the stores, seated IN the open
carriage. attracted considerable attention
while her mother was insIde making
purchases. Before the hour far receiving
In-law took . drive to the new country
home TO see the progress of improvements
there. The home il almost completed,
and when It u the presidential family will
take up quarters there for q while.
Extensive preparations have been made
by the Masons of the District for the ems
tertainment of the members OF the trien-
NAL convOcation Of the general grand
chapter 70 be held here September IS, 90,
aU~A - n ank.u d. 10
held on Tuesday, In which the general
grand chapter will be escorted by the
grand chapter and all the commanderIes
OF Knights Templar Of the District, to the
temple, where the grand body will sit In
solemn convocatIOn TO dispose of its i'm
portant business. The next evening
banquet viii be rendered ct the Masonic
temple. The following day, September
80, there will be an excursion down the
Potomac 70 end q visit to the tomb of
Washington and Mt. Vernon, where q col
latiOn will be served on the lawn in front
OF the old mansion. For the fourth day.
October !. carriages have been provided,
SO az TO afford the visitors an opportunity
to see the magnificent residences, parks
and statuAry of the city. The drive will ex-
tend to and through the beautiful grounds
of the Soldiers Home, Just outside the
city limits, and on the way back stop
pArtake OF COLLATION.. A large sum of
money has been contributed tor the enter.
tainment Of the guests and nothing will
be lett undone TO make their sojourn q
memorable one.
The roofing of she west wing Of the
state, war anu navy building is progress
toward completion. and when il is finished
the whole exterior will have been finished,
except possibly the steps and esplanades of
o he I'm nj IF
proportions and architectural beauty the
building has few equals in the world. II
stands directly west Of the White House
and occupies TWO whole squares 1t WAS
begun in 1871, and cost $12, DOC, 900. 1t
was designed by Mr. A. B. Mullett. then
supervising architecture of the treasury,
and is constructed in the stVle Of the Ital
and Virginia granite. Over q sub-base-
ment and basement are four stories. sur
mounted by a Mansard root of artistic de-
sign. From north 20 south, including the
projections, the building Is $50 feet long
From east to west II is S43 feet. Greatest
heIghth, 1913 feet. There are grand es-
planades on the north and south sidee,
and entrance on ali sides
reached by broad flights Of stone steps.
Huge blocks of granite, each over 20 tons
in weight, form the platforms to the O.
frances The greatest possible care has
been taken In the construction, and the
building is entirely fire proof. All the
parts are In harmony, and the result is an
almost perfect specimen OF architecture.
The interior of the building has been con-
structed in very magnificent manner.
There are wide ssaircases of granite with
bronze balusters; long. spacious corridors,
and innumerable apartments richly fres-
coed and adorned, and furnished with ev-
for the transacting of public business and
personal comfort The war department
occupies the whole of the northern and
western portions, and the navy department
the eastern and the state department the
southern. It will be several years before
the building Is completed.