Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-01-18
SHOCKING VANDALISM.
Destruction of Property in the Presi-
dents Room by a Newspaper Man.

very new newspaper correspondent was en-
gagged on Thursday afternoon of this week in
gathering material for a highly sensational let
ter on Vandalism at the Capitol" To obtain
information on this exciting subject he had en-
listed the friendly services of genial Guide
Kennedy, who showed him all the defacements
executed by The hands of profane visitors, from
the innumerable graftti in lead pencil on the
marble columns Of the statuary room to the
destroyers marks on the bronze doors. Among
other things mention was made of the wanton
destruction of furniture in the Presidents
room, and the ambitious journalist was in
formed OF the repeated cutting Of the leather
covered sofas with knives, the slcing off of por-
lions OF the carpet and the chopping away at
odd times of dozens of tassels from the chairs.
That is really quite too dreadful" said the
correspondent Would you mind showing me
the room! have never seen il, you know"
with pleasure" replied the guide. 1T is
just around the corner"
When the two entered the beautiful apart
ment MIR. Kennedy informed his wondering
companion that this was the handsomest room
in the United States.
Look around your he exclaimed ''See how
exquisite those frescoes are-so wonderfully
harmonious their coloriug and so admirably set
forth by the gilt and other ornamentation.
Observe how rich is every detail of the furnish
ing. There is nothing like it, l tell you. in the
new world"
1T certainly is immense" gasped the news
paper man, as he gazed open-mouthed about
the fretted dome-like ceiling, covered with
superb paintings.
Perhaps" suggested the guide, I'VE mad
better Sit down and look about us at our leis-
ure"
And, as he spoke he raised his coat tails to
sit down in the big red leather-covered chair
on one side OF the chimney piece, motioning to
his companion to seat himself in the CORE
spending chair on the other side. Now, between
these two chairs there was a glass vase of very
ornamental pattern. which was intended to serve
as cuspidor. The correspondent did not see
this, for the reason that he had been gazing
around upon the ceiling above. and it was in
deed, his impression that IL sofa. like others
about the room. was extended beneath the
mantel So. when he was invited to repose
himself, he deliberately sat down upon moth
ing at all-or would have done so, had it not
been for the elaborate vase aforesaid. As it
was, he seated himself with tremendous
shock, square upon the cuspidor-Mr Ken
nedy's extended arm being too late to save
him-and smashed the article Of bric-a-brac all
to smithereens.
The guardian in charge leaped at once to
the rescue. and, assisted by the guide. raised
! the unfortunate newspaper man to his feet.
The latter viewed the damage with single
glance, and turned distinctly pale. His first
thought was that an ornamental cuspldor to
accord In point OF gorgeousness with the tout
ensemble of such a magnificent apartment,
must be Sevres jar at least worth anything
from $500 up. Visions of immediate arrest
and detention at dollar a day until
the damage was paid for arose before
his troubled mind. His relief was great when
the polite person in superintendent said con-
solinSy that accidents would happen in the
best regulated families and that the piece of
furniture destroyed could be easily replaced.
Whereupon. the delighted Journalist bowed
himself, with many protestations OF regret. out
OF the Presidents room, and, taking once again
the arm OF his cicerone. departed for other por-
tons of the Capitol to look up more instances
OF wanton destruction of government property
in the building by vandal visitors.