The evening times., 1896-08-10


plans formulated by Prof. Woodbridge.
The new apparatus was not specifically
uroyided for In the appropriation bill, and
was not seriously considered until recently;
but 1t is the prospect that enough OF the
Senate appropriation may be saved for
the extension Of the modern facilities
TO the courtroom.
There Is an additional contingency upon
which immediate extension depends. II
sufficient time Is given between the pres
ent date and the sitting OF the next
term the Improvement will doubtless be
made. Then, at the next session OF Con-
gress an appropriation will be asked for
the introduction of similar apparatus In
he House side OF the Capitol. i.
The problem OF how best 10 regulate the
ventilation at the Congress House has been
u difficult one to solve, and it has been
prominent as an item of legislation In
probably one-half of the Congresses for
fifty years. As early as the year 1873 1t
was said that the atmosphere was SO
charged with Impurities that 1t give out
MOST unpleasant odors and the air of the
chambers was SO impure that statesmen
fell i'll by the score from its effects.
HARD TO PLEASE.
= 1t is said that the grave and reverend
seignIors' OF the Supreme Court are the
hardest OF all to satisfy In respect to the
ventilation. While one OF the honorable
members, said to be Justice Gray, insists
upon having a blast OF cold air upon him
at all times, his immediate neighbor in
sists Just as strongly thatthe temperature
shall be maintained regularly among the
Seventies" and 1t has been seriously de-
bated whether or not plan may not be
devised TO serve up ali. TO the court ON the
plan with which hotels are wont to serve
meals in side, dishes with the privilege
OF seasoning to suit individual tastes. This
would necessitate complex system Of
underground, copduits, with safety valves
and stop cocks innumerable, the service
to each being under the control Of the IN
dividual, as ga is switched oil and Off in
the bedroom of the honorable magistrates.
The Supreme Court holds its session in the
halIformeri y used by the Senate, and kno wn
as tie ''oid Senate Chamber" II the
floors slall be taken up for the introduction
OF the new pure air plant, 1t will bc the
first disturbance Of the old lines since the
builders fitted it up for the accommodation
OF the learned justices.
1t is IA beautiful apartment, regarded by
many as the most perfect chamber in the
Capitol. 1t is semiclrcular In form, is
seventy-five feet long, forty-five feet high
and forty-five ve feet wide in the center, which
Is its widest part.
: POTOMAC MARBLE USED.
A row Of handsome pillars OF Potomac
marble extends across the eastern side of
the hall, and the wall which sweeps around
hewestern side isornanented with pilnsters
of the same material. The ceiling is n the
form OF dome, is very beautiful and is
ornamented with sQuu re caissons stuceres.
The hall is pretty much as 1t was in 1850.
when the Senate abandoned 1t for itspresent
quarters In the then new north wing. On
the 4th OF January OF the year ma med as the
upper house took its leave OF the chamber,
senator Crlttenden OF Kentucky took &C.
ca sion to recall some of the memories OF the
place, reciting briefly the questions OF con-
stItutionaI law that had been debated
there.
II speak only of what have seen, and
but partially OF that" he said, when l say
that here. within these walls, have seen
men in council whose fame is not surpassed
and whose power, ability and patriotism
are not eclipsed by anything in Grecian Or
Roman name"
He then mentioned Clay, Webster, Cal
houn, Benton, and others, who, he said
seemed to have made their impress upon
tue very walls and whose eloquence seemed
yet to echo In the dome.
MEMORIES OF CELEBRITIES.
Vice President Breckinridge also made
some appropriate comments. "The Sen
ate" he sale. has assembled for the last
time in this chamber. Hencefortb 1t Will he
converted to- other uses Yetitmustremain n
forever consecrated with great events and
sacred to the memories OF departed orators
and statesmen
The hall has Its unhappy memories 1t
was within its walls that the famous en-
counter took place between Senators Ben
ton of Missouri aud Foote OF Mississippi.
In which the latter drew a revolver aud
cooked 1t, aud bloodshed was imminent.
This occurred April IT, 1885, Six years
later Senator Sumner was assaulted upon
the floor by Hon. Preston g. Brooks,
and it aud other stirring scenes were en-
acted there which made the old chamber
conspicuous.
The "old Senate chamber" Is one oi
the most pleasant as well as most note
worthy OF all the public places. 1t is
regretted by many that any modern fnno-
vations have to be introduced, since 1t is
feared that the old-time symmetry will
eventually disappear, and with 1t its ira
ditions and memories.
LOCATED BY A CLAIRvOYANT