New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-12-30
CHANGES IN THE CAPITOL
ALTERATIONS FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE
LAWMAKERS AT ALBANY.
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
PROVISIONS FOR NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ELE-

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER
PROVISIONS FOR ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ELE-
vAToR sERvrcE-THE CAPITOL ROOF.
Albany. Dec. 20 (speciaD-Returning members Of
former Legislatures viii, be astonished at the
changes which have been wrought In their lawmak-
inr workshops. With generosity born OF seit-in-
terest the last Legislature appropriated s32oD OF
available funds for alterations In the Senate Cham
Der and the Assembly Chamber made necessary by
the increase Of legislative membership to two nun
dred.
None Of the improvements made are more no.
tlceabe than those in the Assembly Chamber AL
most all the changes wrought In this magnincehtly
conceived room since the stone ceiling proved uhs'a
Bile have been detrimental to it's beauty but ms
year beauty has not been sacrificed to convenience
or expediency The removal OF the old mahogany
rail has made 1t possible to place an extra tier or
seats in the rear Of the chamber The unfortunate
Assemblymen who draw these seats VIII experience
difficulty in observing the Assembly rule that
member must speak from his seat as they are FAR
removed from the Speakers desk. The old rail- mas
been replaced by Of polished brass, which runs
from one of the gigantic pillars of Tennessee mar
bic to the other. This encroaches upon the space
formerly allotted to visitors. and the curious must
now gaze enviously upon the lawmakers from the
galleries, from the little corners beneath these,
which have been made accessible by the removal OK
the mahogany partitions. The taking away OF these
obeconab bic barriers has greatly improved the gen.
era appearance of the Elegantly carved sand
stone pillars have replaced the iron Orders Ihe
artistic freplaces under each gallery may now be
viewed by the visitor. gas log will burn on the
hearth whenever the Assembly Is in session
The Assembly Chamber has been newly carpeted
with heavy dark blue Wilton, figured in old gold.
The color OF the carpet does not harmonze with
the furnishings of the room. presenting disagree
abe contrast to the mahogany desks and their new
covering of garnet felt Old material has been well
worked over in the reconstruction Of the Speaker 5
and Clerks desks which have been somewhat raised
Additional room has been found for the two new
clerks who owe their position to that provision of
the Constitution submitting city bills to municipal
officers. Their desks are close to that Of the chief
clerk.
In accordance with an act of the Legislature Of
cOat-of-arms of the State has been painted in col
in the arch at the rear Of the Speakers desk.
Other changes at this end Of the Chamber are no
ticeable The sounding board which screened the
arched doorways has been re.egated to the work
shop and the arched doorways have been fitted with
swinging doors of mahogany. The newspaper re-
porters have not been forgotten by Superintende
Easton They will have new chairs of superior pat,
those formerly used. The needs of right and
ef-handed writers have been provided for, SO far
they have been known in advance.
Al the rear of the Assembly Chamber the first
corridor has been partitioned off with oak panels
giving additional lobby room. The telegraph offices
and press booths have been transferred to the Mid
way" The postoffce has been placed in the corridor
| to the east of the Assembly Chamber From this
corridor the cloakrooms may now be conveniently
| reached through door at the right OF the post
| the cloakrooms for the enlarged Assembly. Ths
| docket rooms have been practically rebuilt, anC
| furnished with the modern convenenceS OF such
rooms. All the corridors are richly carpeted with rec