The Washington times., 1894-12-17
Mrs. Barnes Owns the Only Relic
Stand UEder the Capitol Dome.
CANNOT BE DISPOssESSED
Has Had 1t Eleven Years and Draws
Annual Rental from 1t.
Neither House Believes 1t Has Jurisdiction
and Architect Clark Does Not Care to Dis
turb tao sub-tenant-The La Lady Resides
in the State of Washipgtqn-rho Case
Has Pathetic Side, TOO-qthers After 1t.

Uncle Sam has but few tenants. In fact.
the old gentleman, in his Star Sphnged Ban
ner uniform, is not much taken to playing the
role of exacting landlord. Hei.has one ten
ant. however, whose leased or loaned territory
occupies an exalted position inlWashIngton,
This tenant is none other7'than Mrs
Barnes. who has complete and imperial con-
troll OF the miscellaneous photograph aud relic
stand under the great goddess of
liberty on the extreme top of the dizzy
heghted Capitol dome. This stand i, stu
ated on The inner platform, directly under the
great pictorial ailegory aud overlooking the
exI ans.ve rotunda lar below.
Mrs. Barnes, who is now resident of the
State OF Washington, and has been for several
years. came in posse sion ot the staad eleven
years ago. She does not pay the government
one penny FOR its use and what is more. does
not occupy it herself. but receives from the
present occupant, as she has from two or
three of his predecessors. handsoue yearly
rental il l. said.
Some years ago all the stands in the Capt.
tol where miscellaneous goods. photographs
confect.ons, &c.. were sold. were removed by
prpuer order with the single exception of the
one located in The Capitol dome, from which
Mis-. Barnes derives an annual revenue. 1t
was held at the tifae OF the removal OF the
oher stands that the one away up in the
clouds was out OF the jurisdiction OF the
House and Senate. The kiud-hearted archi-
teet Of the Capitol then gracioasly gave per-
mission TO Mrs. Barnes to occupy it. For "a
year or more she occupied it herself and sold
many souvenirs of Washington to strangers
who clambered up the long fight OF iron
stairs TO get bird s-eye view OF the nations
Capital.
One Gay gracious young man, who was
srarring for Il usiness opening, called uDon
Mrs Barnes. ana after few hours uegotia-
tions bought out her stock, ana by some ar
rnngement. which Capitol employees claim is
unknown 10 either law equity, he rented
or leased the privileges Of the stand from the
LADY tor 800 per year.
The transaction took place nearly eleven
years ago and she has drawn tie little per
quisite of : 500 perannum ever since, although,
it is SAID. all kinds OF influence has leen
brought to lear on Architect Clark to grant
the privilege to some person more needy. or
TO remove it altog .ther, as it IS termed an OBJ
strHction.
The saddest part OF the Whole transaction
occurred Il short time ago, said an cIGplOye
OF the big white building 10 Il I4ES rel ortyr
yesterday. Mr.. Wc,ch. wIo rented the stand
from Mrs Barnes, was taken sick and suLsa-
assured by the man who furnished the goo IS
TO. the stand that in the event OF her hUs-
bands death she should continue in posses
sion of tbs business. The breath had hardly
left the poor mans body however. before the
man who furnished the goods wrute TO Mrs
BaTnCs IN tie State of VI ashington. received
her permission 10 rent the stand. which lie
did. after ejectInc the widow til owing her
and her children penniless upon the world. -
\ well-known Washington artist IS taking
much interest IN this peculiar state OF affairs
III the big Capitol building, aud saws he will
bring tito the attention OF Congress this
week.
night. why tolerate this hucksJering bust
ness within its halls. 1t Is a disgrace to the
nation and should al once be abolished. Such
shady transactions in the very home Of law
and liberty demand prompt action and should
be given widespread notoriety..