The herald., 1896-12-27

rext inaugural ball in the Pension build
ing. where such functions have taken
place for some time past. An effort was
made to hold 1t in the new Library
building, but such strong opposition was
engendered that the scheme was aban
doned. 1t would seem to me that the
new administration being purely gold
administration, and being for gold first
last and all the tlme-and as much of it
as the other fellow Is willing to put up
could not celebrate it's commencement
by more appropriate act than the hold
ing of the ball in the beautiful golden
domed edifice which Uncle Sam has just
completed for the storing Of his books.
No one has suggested that Mark Hanna
had any designs upon the gilt portion
of the building when he selected the
library for the holding of the ball. The
fact is the citizens of Washington
did not take kindly to Mark s
clustering dictation, and he departed
with feelings of anything but love to-
ward those who have sidetracked his
schemes No one has asked what Nc
Kinley desires in the premises. Oh. no;
people havef orgotten about him. Mark
Hanna is the Mazuma, and Mark will
be president in truth after March 4.
The hotels have made rates which Will
enable them to dispense their courtesies
without fear of loss. True the inaugural
crop is harvested only once in four long
years; but Washington in this particular
resembles a country town. Whenever
the circus comes up go hotel rates. prices,
ETC., only to drop again with the dis
appearance around the curve of the last
car Of the circus train. Seats from which
one can witness the procession sell for
from $40 up, and the other day a win
dow in a desirable locality sold for in
augural purposes for the sum of 5000.
BETTER FACILITIES FOR LIGHT
ING THE CAPITOL.
The transition from gas to electric
light at the capitol has been pretty near-
ly complete. 1t was necessary to abolish
the gas on account of the damage 1t did
to the ceilings, and also to enable
changes to be made in the ventilation.
Much expense was Occasioned annually
by the injurious effects of the heat upon
the frescoing, and much renewing work
had to be done to maintain the decora-
! ton. The improvement extends beyond
the walls of the capitol The beautiful
grounds are now brilliant with incan-
descent lights. Electricity lights the
ceiling of each chamber, the press gal
leries, corridors, committee roooms.
postoffices, basement and everywhere
where illumination is required.
The number of incandescent lights
| over the house ceiling is 1881, Of which
2S4 are of 32-candle power. The senate
| ceiling is lighted with about the same
| number of lamps, although it is much
smaller. The supreme court room is
| supplied with thirty-two lamps, all of
| 16-candle power. One solitary light,
| placed at the entrance to the chamber.
is known as Judge Fields lamp" 1t
was put in at point where otherwise
| the passage would be in shadow. espe-
cially for the judges accommodation.
| The improvement in the ventilation
of the capitol is also marked. The ap-
propriation made for this purpose last
session was $55,000. The work began In
August last. Beneath the seat of each
senator is an Independent air chamber
the full width of his desk. From this
| chamber the air passes to the desk legs
and through this duct the occupant Of
each chair is furnished with a current OF
air which can be tempered to his owr
liking.
| PERSONAL
| Senator White arrived last evening
| He will remain here until Thursday
evening, when he goes to Philadelphia tc
Spend Christmas, thence, accompanied
| by Mrs. White, will go to New York foi
few days.
James F. Kenealy, who left Los Ange
les year ago to pursue the study of thu
law at the Catholic University of Amer