The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1897-04-28

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The sarcophagi will be placed in a
crypt directly beneath the center of the
dome. The approach to the crypt is
by stairways which give access to
passage encircling the space dedicated
to the sarcophagi, which space is sur
rounded by square columns supporting
paneled marble ceilings and entaba-
ture. A circular opening in the main
floor gives an unobstructed view of the
sarcopbagi from that floor and from
the gallery.
In the work of construction the fact
was kept steadily in view that solidity
and durability were of paramount i'm
portance, and that they should net be
impaired by an effort unduly to hasten
the work. To get out the large blocks
of stone, new beds had to be opened at
great depths in the quarry, and the
dressing, carving and transporting of
the enormous amount of granite re-
CURED for the construction was a
tedious process. In the winter but
little work could be done at the quar-
mitted for fear of damage from free zing
weather. When the heavy piers of
masonry in the interior were built, and
large masses of concrete used, delay
of several months was insisted upon be-
fore continuing the construction, in
order to allow the work to set,' and
to avoid any possibility of shrinkage or
settling thereafter. Occasional delays
occurred from finding specks or flaws
upon the surfaces of some of the larger
stones after the y had been dressed down
to completion; and as the association
reserved the right urd der the terms of
the contract to reject such material,
new stones had to be prepared to take
the places of those which exhibited de-
fects.
The time from the laying of the
cornerstone to the completion of the
tomb has been five years, a shorter
period than has been consumed in the
building of any conspicuous memorial
in history. The Bunker Hill Monu.
ment, which cost $4,000, was not
completed until seventeen years after
the cornerstone was laid. In the case
of the Washington Monument, which
cost 81, 1910, the time consumed was
thirty-seven years."
This noble memorial of the Union
commander who crushed the Rebellion
of eleven states of this nation was dedi-
Gated yesterday, on the recurrence of
the anniversary of his birth. The i'm
perial State of New York made the day
legal holiday, the President of the
United States took an official part in
conducting the ceremonies, and the
chief magistrates of the States of the
Union, the high officials of the city of
New York, and the diplomatic repre-
sentatives of all foreign governments
participated in the function. There
was grand naval parade, the vessels
of the new navy taking up position in
the North River opposite the Tomb and
firing salutes. The regular army,
veterans of the late war, the national
guard of the various states, many patri-
otto societies and other civic organiza-
tions took part in the services. The
structure was delivered to the city that
has reared it, there was an address by
President Mckinley, an Grafton by
General Porter, patriotic hymns and
other observances worthy of the great
occasion. "Since the transfer of Ma.
poleon's remains from ST. Helena to
France, and their interment in the
Hotel DIES Invalides, there has been nc
similar function that equalled in sol.
emnity and importance the dedication
of the Tomb in Riverside Park"