The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1896-12-07
EASE IN THE SENATE.
MODERN COMFORT FOR STATESMEN
AND VISITORS.


System OF Improved Ventilation Adopted.
Thester Chairs In the Galleries For the
Comfort Of LOCKERS On-Old Tradition
Abolished-Few Changes In the House.
When congress reassembled, marked
change was noted in the senate cham
ber. A complete revolution in heating
and ventilating has take2 place, under
the direction Of DR.. Woodbridge of the
Boston School of Technology. The un-
slightly brass and iron ventilators which
SCARED the senatorial carpets and caused
intermittent chills and fevers to creep
up the rheumatic limbs Of senators have
been banished, and fresh air comes into
the chamber through perforations in the
supports Of the desks, at a temperature
of about 70 degrees, escaping into the
aisles or spaces between the various
desks.
In the galleries the greatest transfor-
nation has occurred. The old time,
straight back benches have been remov-
ed, and handsome mahogany framed
theater chairs with maroon colored
leather backs and seats have been sub
stituted. Each chair is provided with
air chambers and perforations on the
side.
The uniformity OF the gallery seats
wipes out the ''class distinction" that
hitherto prevailed in favor of the Dip
lomatic and executive galleries. For
many years past the upholstering in the
diplomatic and executive galleries was
q bright blue, while the coloring in the
public galleries was light gray. Now,
although the dividing lines are main
tained, the furnishing Of all the CALLER
les is the same and in harmony with the
mahogany effect upon the floor below.
Under the new ventilating system it
will not be easy to move the desk at
will, as heretofore The ventilating ap-
paratus is a part of the desk. and to
move the desk would require a general
mutilation Of the flooring.
The effect prevailing in the chamber
is heightened by the substitution of ma
hogany doors with frosted glass panels
for the yellow pine frames covered with
q bilious green covering, which opened
into the cloakrooms and the lobbies.
The rich green and gold carpet has been
replaced upon the floor of the chamber,
forming harmonious groundwork for
the highly polished mahogany desks and
square backed, leather covered chairs.
Sergeant-at alarms Bright has succeed
ed in demolishing long cherished ira
dition. The senate now contains chairs
of but single pattern. Previous to last
session it was the custom of each senator
to consult his individual preference in
selecting the style of chair he you'd &C.
cupy. The result was an unsieeitly mix
ture Of mahogany, oak, walnut, cane
bottoms and haircloth chairs scattered
about the chamber, suggesting job lot
auction room rather than the dignified
United States senate.
Electricity has replaced the gas jets
in the ceiling and the galleries-in fact,
throughout the senate wing-and the
electric lighting will reduce the temper
ature Of the building at night at least
- degrees The notifications and
changes were accomplished at an outlay
of something below &55, 300.
Aside from the placing Of new piece
of carpet in front Of the speakers desk,
no material changes have been made in
the furnishing Of the house of represent
atives. The officers Of the house are
anxious that provision should be made
at the coming session for a thorough
renovation and the introduction Of new
system of ventilation and seating SINH
lar to that in the senate.
The house has always been slow to
assert its independence in providing for
its own comfort. The backwardness is
due to the fact that its members stand
up for election by the people every two
years, while senators have only to run
the gantlet Of state legislature once
In six years. The house appears posi-
lively shabby in comparison with the
senate chamber at present. nt.-Washing-