Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-05-21

the permanent wing rise around it. This
brick makeshift was made ready for the
session of 1901 -02 When members arrived
and examined 1t their displeasure reached
the boiling point. Because OF the lack OF
ventilation in this makeshift they termed
it the "oven, and as such it will ever re-
main in history.
The Owen was connected with the SEN
ate wing by a covered way spanning the
foundations of the future rotunda and CEN
trail structure. The House returned to its
first temporary quarters in the senate wing
in 1905, and remained crowded there Tor
two years before it's own wing was COM
pleted. It's first permanent chamber was
on the site of the present statuary nan,
where tourists marvel at the phenomena
of the whispering gallery"
Hats On, Women Excluded.
During these early sessions the Senate sat
always with closed doors and admitted no
spectators to it's galleries. Sessions of the
House were, however, open. Continental
dress was in vogue among members, whose
wigs were daily curled and powdered. Hats
We're worn on the floor of the House even
until 1928 and women were excluded from
it's galleries for some years. Urns 1lied
with Scotch snuff were placed In each house
and there were employees charged with the
task of keeping them filled. pen makers
were employed in both chambers to mend
and sharpen the goose quilts then in vogue
for writng-and which, by the way, are
still used in the Supreme Court chamber
There were also official 'SealerS Who
adorned all documents with red wax. On
their stationery accounts these early mem
bers drew razors, gloves, perfumery, bears
grease and IAN innocent beverage called
swichell," supposed to be temperance con-
coction, but among whose ingredients were
good French brandy and Jamaica rum.
This was always charged in the station
cry account as "sirup." In each COM
mittee room there was buffet where al
cohOlic refreshments were served to politi-
cal callers.
The House moved into its first permanent
quarters in 1907 but not until twenty-three
yeas more had passed was the original
Capitol finished The foundations of the
rotunda were still spanned by covered
way when the British burned the building
in 1914. After that act of vandalism Con-
greSs removed to Blodgett's Hotel, at 7th
and E streets, and later to q house at Mary
land avenue and 1st street northeast, on
Capitol HILL Meanwhile the rebuilding Of
the Capitol was in progress. 1t was not
completed until 1880. although Congress re-
turned to its chambers at a much earlier
date. When finally completed the old
Capitol comprised the present main en-
trance on the east and present free-stone
front between the marble wings. 1t was
capped by low dome, rising to las feet.
constructed of brick, stone and wood
sheathed with copper The building had
cost 81, 433, Sl4 when completed.
Slim Majority Against Abandonment.
Thus did our early legislators endure all
sorts of discomforts for nearly third of
century. Their discomfort reached its
crisis in 1903. when resolution for the re-
turn of the seat of government to Phiiadel-
phia came within a very few votes of pass
ing. 1t would have safely carried had not
southern members been fearful OF the an
noyance of anti-slavery agitators. so rife
in the Quaker city even in those early ante
bellum days.
The old Capitol was outgrown within fifty
years after the removal Of the seat OF gov
eminent to Washington. and history has
repeated itself within the last half century.
1t would appear that capitol building will
hold our big legislative mill but fifty years,
In spite of provisions for future contingent
cies. Thomas U. Walter was selected to
extend the original building because of his
success with the Girard College ediice in
Philadelphia. Walter designed the two
wings, as well the present dome, COM
menced in 1856, and which cost one and
quarter millions. The portfcoes OF the
wings, the grand stairways and the western
terrace were completed by Edward Clark,
who succeeded Mr.. Walter in 1865, and who
had been his assistant since 1851. When
Mr.. Clark died, in 1902, he completed con-
tinuous official service of f1fty-one years.
He was succeeded by Mr.. Elliott Woods, his
assistant.
Mr.. Woods task OF keeping the Capitol in
repair is tremendous one. Under Its
great dome daily work a little city Of peo-
pie. 1t contains 40 rooms. exclusive of its
vast chambers and corridors: SO windows.
$50 doorways, 140 fireplaces, 14,518 square
feet of skylight. Is motors, Is ventilating
fans. elevators and steam pumps. Its
boilers generate the power of 2,04S horses.
and its electric lights radiate the brilliancy
OF 1850 candles. 1t is costing about $4,000
year for routine repairs. exclusive OF i'm
provements, while for both repairs and i'm
provements the cost this year will be $780,,
600. JOHN ELFRETH WATKINS.