The National tribune., 1901-11-28
BENEATH THE CAPITOL.
Region OF Darkness Seldom Visited by SgtseersThe Gloomy
Crypt Catafaque Which Have Rested the Nations Mighty
Dead.

A Western Congressman who was cen
Quoted through ,the great stretches of semi
darkness beneath the United States Cap
itol, afterwards referred to his experience
as IA pilgrimage through the region OF
perpetual gaSiyht' But few persons
have been fortunate enough to make a
thorough inspection of this vast region un-
der the great white building on the hill,
which stretches away into long passage
ways, extensive, caye-like vaults, besides
many c0mmittee-rooms in the terraCes,
several workshops and engine-rooms. En-
tering the terrace from its central west
ern approach and leaving the bright day
light gradually in the rear, the visitor ex-
periences a queer sensation. Away in the
distance is whirring, buzzing sound
which conveys the impression that he is
approaching some mammoth beehive. This
sound is produced by the great revolving
fans which supply the big building with
fresh air drawn through the ventilating
shafts, like monuments Of gray stone, III
the surrounding reservation.
After brisk walk of Il few minutes
the visitor finds himself well into the ram
ilications and subterranean yastness Of
the region of gaslight. for down there, un-
til electric lights were installed, the
Illuminating fluid burned on forever, both
by day and by night. Now, scattered
here and there, arc incandescent lamps,
which shed ghostly glare into dark
hooks and corners. This is necessary, AS
there is no other way Of supplying much
of the region with light.
\ journey through the vaults, halls and
passageways under the Capitol is in some
respects like entering the uncanny caves
so often read of in fiction Although the
atmosphere is cool it is also oppressive
to the newcomer There are many in
teresting sights to be seen and queer
sounds to be heard in Uncle Sans Nam
moth Cave.
After leaving the terrace on the Senate
side, with its comfortable and tidy COM
mittee-rooms, and proceeding up two pairs
of dusty and aged stairs, the visitor
reaches a small apartment or crypt imme-
diatcly under the basement beneath the
rotunda, which has an interesting his
tory. This little room is cleanly, and
glistens with its new coat of white Kali
somine In its center reposes the bis
toric catafalque, or funeral bier, covered
with black broadclOth, IL striking con
trast with the snowy surroundings.
At regular intervals about this mOrgne-
like vault are three alcoyes Of ancient
pattern. single lamp against the wall
casts its ftful rays over the place, callS-
ing, with its Pickering and 1uttering,
ghostly shadows to chase themselves into
the weird alcoves, while the atmosphere
is laden with mUsty Odor.
The keeper or the crypt, 9 venerable
colored man, who opened the heavy,
creaking door with a massive key, related
some of the history of this quiet and mys-
tic chamber. Many years ago, he said,
Congress proposed 10 have the remains Of
the immortal George Washington forever
lie in state in the Capitol Building. The
crypt was therefore prepared as a sort OF
National sepuleher for the reception of
his sacred remains. The consummaton
of this plan was, however, prevented by
the opposition. Of the Washington family,
who insisted that Mount Vernon was the
proper place for their final interment.
In designating the crypt as the hnal
resting place for the body of Gen. Wash
ingtoB, Congress at the same time passed
resolution for the appointment of a
keeper of the crypt In due time a
man was appointed 70 that position, and
il is related that he grew White-haired in
the service regularly drawing the salary
provided, but rendering no equivalent
therefor. Finally the resolution was re
scinded and the old man lost his sinecure
For more than 30 years the old crypt
has been the stOre-rOom for the great
black catafalque, which has sad but in
terasting history. Whenever a great states
man dies and his funeral ceremonies
take place in Washington, and it is de
cided to have his body lie in state at the
Capitol, tailOrs are sent to the lit Q
chamber to recover the bier with black
cloth. This is rendered necessary after