The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-06-01
AN EDITORIAL |
SENT BY CABLE.
Continued from Thirteenth Pase.)


ing, to keep close watch on the visit
ing tourists for the purpose OF guarding
against vandalism, brings to mind what
terrible pest to Washington, the con-
scienceless curiosity-seeker is. Both the
exterior and interior OF nearly every
public building in the city suffers con-
tinually from the depredations Of this
Wiling to indulge In theft and mutiiation
to crafty their desire for curiousity,
and many a scar is pointed out by the
guides as proof of this. horrible habit.
The immediate cause Of the above men
toned order from the State Department
officials, was the recent work of vandals
in the Diplomatic Reception Room Of
that department
This is beautiful room. very taste
fully furnished and decorated. The rugs
are very fine, the curtains are of real
lace and the furniture is covered with the
finest leather Visitors have cut away
pieces of the rugs. torn off strips of the
lace curtains taken rosettes and tassels
from the chairs and sofas and even
pulled out brass screws and fiat headed
tacks from the different articles of fur
niture. The peculiar part Of 1t all is
that these articles have not the least
historical association to make them val
liable as mementoes, inasmuch as thew
are apt to be removed at any time and
new ones put in their places. The mutt
lators either do not know this or do not
look for any other quality in the OBJ
Ject of their destructive theft than that
1t comes from public building in Wash
ington. At all events, it does not deter
them and up to the time of the putting
on Of of special Waterman the diplo-
matte room was being continually plum
dered
The Capitol is. however. the greatest
sufferer from piratical sight-seers. There
is hardly a portion of this, the most beau
ttful building in Washington. that does
not bear some mark of this destructive
ness. The statues In and around the
building nearly all bear marks that
show where pieces have been Clipped off.
The statue Of George Washington, which
sits facing the east front Of the Capitol,
had a great toe knocked off some time
ago. The Father Of his Country is clad.
in that statue, in loose, flowing raiment
that is called toga by some. and as
bath robe by others. At all events his
feet are bare and some person could not
resist moving one Of his big toes. Anottl-
er has been grated on in place of the
missing member, but it does not match
the yellow. time-stained marble of the
original statute: the contrast is easily no
ticeable. One arm of the chair in which
he is sitting was also knocked off, and
has been put back. This, however. was
done by people climbing on it to see the
last inauguration of President Mckinley.
The statue of Minerva a the portico of
missing. too The figures on the bronze
doors of the rotunda, one of the most
famous points of interest at the Capitol,
have suffered a number of times.
Two New Jersey soldiers. on their way
home from Cuba after the Spanish War.
stole guns and bayonets from the hands
of the bronze figures Of soldiers on the
o,,1
ly punished. On the mantle in the beau
tiful marble room. where the Senators
receive callers, stands a handsome marble
clock. A short time a go some one at
tempted to steal the hands from it, but
was evidently frightened off by the APP
proach of some of the attendants before
he could wrench off the hands, which are
of rather=toush material. aa
The marauders.g however, succeeded In
bending the hands so badly that the clock
had to be sent to a jeweler for repairs
The order recently issued by the House
that no person may enter the floor OF
the House before it is called to order un-
less he is brought in by member. was
made on account of the behavior OF Wis
itors Before this order went into effect
anyone could come upon the floor until
a. quarter before twelve, when the clerk
clears the floor of all who are not en-
titled to the privileges There's. On Inc
day the Congressional Directory was is
sued and when on the desk Of every
member of the House. lay a bound copy
with his name upon it. the usual crowd
Of persons was present. After the floor
had been cleared many of the members
found their directories missing. The WIS.,
tors had availed themselves of the god
en- opportunity for pllage and had stolen
directories right and left. I his led to the
order above mentioned, and since then
no theft of directories has occurred.
The placards prohibiting smoking. etc,
and those whereon are written the Capt.
toll police regulations that are hung all
about the corridors have constantly to be
replenished. however. on account OF their
being stolen by visitors.