The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1896-06-18
A MAGNIFICENT BUILDING. j.:
The New Congressional Library in
Washington

WASHINGTON, D. g., June 10th, '96.
EDITOR GOLD LEAF:-Having been con-
fined to my house and bed for five days
with muscular rheumatism or la grippe,
and this morning feeling we'll enough and
believing short walk would be beneficial,
my wife and walked over the new Con-
gressional Library building, which it is
said will be the finest in the world when
completed. This it will take about twelve
months to do. It's undoubtedly the finest
building ever had the pleasure of behold
ing. 1t combines with grandeur a SYM
metry and beauty SO far surprising all
| other public buildings in this city that
comparison is out of the question. The
building and grounds occupy two entire
squares, and the latter is most beautifully
laid out and is being prepared tor grass
and flowers. The main entrance is on the
building is connected with the library by
an underground railway and electric de-
vices for the rapid transfer of books from
one building to the other.
While looking over the line of that tun-
mel, thought about the wisest thing some
politicians could do for themselves and
their successors would be to have an under
ground electric railroad run from the Ca o.
ltOl building to some good jumping off
place. so when the day OF reckoning with
| the people of this country comes tile citi-
zens may be spared the sight of seeing
bOdlleSS heads travelling about the city
Twill not commit the folly of attemp t-
ing to describe the interior of this build :
ing, but suppose they are finishing it up
after the manner of the New Jerusalam
according to some of the descriptions [
have heard of that city from eminent di-
vines. SO If l never reach that famous city
l will have pretty good idea of how il
looks.
After leaving the building and getting
short distance from it, stopped, turned
around and was viewing its magnificent
g0ld covered domes, (yOu know Uncle Sam
has SO much gold OF late he has gone to
some of his children in sight of this build
ing are crying for bread), and these
thoughts occurred to me, How much money
did all that cost? Who paid for it? And
how few Of those who had to pay for it
will ever be able to so much as even gaze
upon it? much less how few will ever be
benefited by it. Do not understand me as
being opposed to such. provided the people
have surplus in their treasury when it is
done. But when the great masses are taxed
as they now are, it is nothing more nor
less than high crime, and still the ex-
travagant appropriations of Congress are
increasing instead OF diminishing. But
the people must be kept poor to be easily
controlled and make good slaves suppose,
as all the great monuments of the mast
were built not by free men but bv slaves.
Show me land without great monuments,
and VIII show you one without slaves.
1t is really amusing to hear the Repub-
licans Who two weeks ago we're SO Conf
dent that Mr.. Mckinley would be the next
president. now saying, this silver craze
is much bigger thing than we thought it
was" And / am inclined to think that
after the election in November great
many more will be asking the question
what has become of our grand old partyo'
which hope and trust will be buried for
ever beyond the hope Of resurrection, for
the great ills we now suffer are the Off
springs of the policy of that party. Ii
there ever was time when this country
needed true, unSelfish patriots at the head
of State affairs that time is now, and if
some such do not come to the front soon
our Ship of State will be upon the breakers
before some seem to realize there is any
danger. hope and trust, however, for a
peaceful solution OF all our troubles and
that all who will work may have an album
dance. H.H.B.