Evening star., 1901-12-12
THE "ADAMS MIRROR"
1T WILL BE REPLACED IN THE
PRESIDENT OF THE sENATE's ROOM.
Historic Article of Furniture That
Has Had Many vicis-
sftudes.

Senator Frye, president pro TEN. of the
Senate, has given instructions for replacing
the Adams mirror In the room OF the
president of the Senate This mirror has
history. 1t purchased by John
Adams when Vice President and has re-
fected the countenance Of every Vice
President of the United States except that
of Mr.. Roosevelt, and 1t failed to perform
that service because during his short ser
vice the president Of the Senate the
looking glass was in retirement, having
been removed from the room to make
way for it's modern fittings. Though it
had to give way for greater elegance,
the old mirror was at one time regarded
as piece of unwarranted extravaganza
on the part of Vice President Adams. Mr.
Adams selected the mirror himself and paid
for 1t the sum of $40. 1t was purchased in
New York and removed here in 1S00.
Considered Extravagant.
The bill had to be paid from the con-
tingent fund of the Senate, and when that
body learned that $40 had actually been
expended for a single mirror there a
burst of severe criticism on the part of
the economists. Mr.. Adams had to listen
to speeches denouncing his extravaganza
and while the bill was finally approved. 1t
was done in such way as to effectually
call a halt to repetitions of such reckless
proceedings. But from that time on the
Adams mirror became an object of great
| interest. 1t was retained In the room OF
the Vice President and when the Capitol
was enlarged 1t was removed to Its more
elegant quarters in the marble north wing
of the building. 1t had been pointed out
as an example of magnificence and eXtrav-
agance to be avoided by all sober minded
people. AS time wore on and the products
of wealth became more common, the mir
ror by comparison lost cast as an example
of elegance, but Immediately took on an
other feature Of interest.
Pointed Out to Visitors.
1t became an example of what had been
elegant and extravagant at one time, and
thousands Of visitors from all over the
world have been shown the mirror and
told the story Of Vice President Adams
difficulty because Of his purchase Of 1t.
All this time the room Of the president
of the Senate was increasing in elegance
Tho mirror. while cherished for its historic
interest looked little plain. 1t has never
lost it's simple elegance, but 1t was not In
keeping with its surroundings. 1t had the
experience Of the heirlooms Of the family
that rises in wealth. AS they have trav-
eled from parlor to sitting room. then from
bed room to garret, so the mirror was
placed in an offset or closet which con-
tains the stationary washstand that was
many years ago introduced in the Vice
Presidents room. But it was still where
it could be pointed out to visitors, while
not jarring on the nice taste Of those who
don't like to see an old thing like that mar
ring the effect of elegant furniture and
hangings Then three years ago the Vice
Presidents room was fitted up in a form
of elegance never before equaled
Sent to q Storeroom.
Even the closet was fixed up so finely
that the Adams mirror was out of place,
and the historic relic was actually removed
and sent to storeroom. 1t was not placed
with old furniture, however, but Assistant
Architect Woods hung 1t in his office.
There it was discovered by Mr. Charles
Moore who appreciated it's value and had
a shelf put up on the wall of the room OF
the Senate committee on the District of
Columbia SO that the mirror might be kept
in view until its restoration. Just as the
old-faShioned mahogany table Is hauled out
of the garret and placed in the middle Of
the parlor after having been put in re-
tirement by the pressure of some passing
fancy in housefurnishing, so the Adams
mirror has again been appreciated
Senator Frye Indignant.
When Senator Frye lately learned that
the old relic had been in exile he was in
dignant. Senator Hoar called it nothing
less than vandalism to so treat It, An or
der has been given for its removal to the
Vice Presidents room-not to its ne
elected corner in the lavatory, but where
1t will be henceforth one of the most con-
spicuous objects in that splendid apart
ment Some time when President Roosevelt
1t at the Capitol he will be asked TO look
into the Adams mirror. He can never look
into it as Vice President, for his advance
ment has broken the record of the mirror
as a reflector of all the presiding officers
of the Senate. But he will look in it
President of the United States, and the
story of the glass will be made that much
more interesting.