The Washington times., 1894-08-05
SUGGESTIONS FOR sIGHTsEERs.
Interesting and Instructive Points at the
Capital of the Nation.


1t would be impossible in brief newspaper
article to enumerate in detail, with the most
meager description, all OF the objects OF inter-
est about the city of Washington.
In presenting the succeeding sketch The
TIMES does not claim that it is anything more
than birdseye view of some of the chief
features to which the attention of strangers
is usually directed.
The first objects to be noted are the public
buildings, and of these the first that COM
mands consideration are the Capitol and the
Executive Mansion. Volumes of description
might be written of the Capitol alone. From
every approach, by every mode OF travel, and
for miles in any given direction the dome OF
this most magnificent building may be seen.
The Capitol is marvel Of architectural skill,
the greatest of its kind in the world.
Here is where Congress sits and where the
United States Supreme Court holds its ses-
sions. The mammoth building has within its
walls some Of the most famous productions
in art and sculpture to be found in the city.
The structure consists of main building
and two wings. connected by corridors, is
751 feet inches long, with q depth OF 324
feet, including the steps OF the extension, and
has in the aggregate cost over S15 200 600.
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
The library of Congress occupies the entire
western projection OF the central Capitol
building. but new building. eligibly stu
ated near and directly east OF the Capitol. is
being erected for its accommodation. The
original library was DESTROYED by the British
in 1872 The collection made since numbers
nearly 100000 volumes and over 200, 600
pamphlets.
The Rogers bronze door, located in the
main eastern entrance of the Capitol. cost ng
$4,000, is always an object of interest. 1t
stands nineteen feet high and is nine feet
wide.
The White House. about which cling so
many memories, is situated in one of the
handsomest quarters OF the city, the West
End. The building is open TO visitors each
week day, but, except on special occasions,
sightseers are not admitted beyond the East
Room, and those who call upon the President,
whether on business intent or 10 pay respects.
are necessarily subjected to official espionage.
The President receives the general public in
the East Room on days set apart therefor.
varying according to the convenience and
public duties of the Chief Magistrate. The
state parlors are on the first floor and are
reached from the ve5tibule into which the
main entrance door opens. Numerous eN-
pensive mirrors are located in different parts
OF the East Room, which is the largest apart
ment In the house.
Full length portraits of Gen. and Mrs.
Washington are hung in this room. Adjoin-
ing the East Room is the Green Room, next
Is the Blue Room, and next to that the Red
Room, the latter being used as n family par
lor. on TIE second floor are located the ex-
ecutive offices, the Presidents reception
room and library.
The Treasury Department is just east of the
Executive Mansion. fronting on Fifteenth
street. There are over two hundred rooms in
the building, and in these about three thou
sand of Uncle Sans workers are housed
daily except Sunday, from Q a. m. TO p. m
The chief objects that attract visitors to this
department are the treasure vaults, where the
national gold and silver are stored; the inter
nal revenue vaults. where the stamps are
kept: the rooms where the busy printing ma
chimes are employed in putting the red seal
on the paper currency: the macerator that
Chews up the paper money Withdrawn from
circulation, and the "rogues gallery at
tached to the secret service division.
STATE, WAR. AND NAVY.
The State, War, and Navy building is
located a short distance west OF and near the
White House. 1t is splendid structure of
handsome exterior and accommodates the
principal divisions OF the three departments
included in the designation of the building.
Many documents, relics. souvenirs, and
models are to be found here. including.
among the documents, the original draft of
the Constitution, the Declaration OF Inde-
pendence, Washingtons commission as COM
luduttE-lL-CilieI Ol lIit auu many OlItI
relics. besides models of ships and rare me-
mentoes OF the war. Portraits OF many de-
parted statesmen and department officials are
also preserved in the building, among them
being Thomas Jefferson and Daniel Webster.
The Washington Monument, that famous,
conspicuous obelisk. stands on the banks OF
the Potomac River, south of the Treasury.
and is located on a government reservation.
The inner walls of this mighty shaft are
ornamented at intervals with memorial
stones contributed by American States and
cities, by foreign countries, and by associa-
tions of various kinds throughout the world.
The various inscriptions and designs on these
stones may be plainly seen when ascending or
descending. and add much to the beauty and
interest OF the structure. Visitors have the
advantage OF an elevator when making the
trip to the summit.
Near the monument is the Bureau of En-
craving and Printing, II branch Of the Treas
ury, and one of the most interesting to sight
seers of all the government workshops. Hero
is where the paper money is completed to the
degree where the red seal only is required to
constitute it circulating medium" Internal
revenue stamps have been for years printed
at the Bureau, and. beginning with July l,
1884, postage stamps also.