New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-03
Il y S mn i t II d. T ny


lt he painting of the Battle of Chapulters,c IN The
wing of the Capitol in Washington then, i y
d. the knob of which Is tried annually bv thousands
OF sitors but II never responds the touch 1t Is a
m -crious marble and iron combination and =
suggestive Of a secret passage.
Bach day when the Senate is in session a man
wit great key approaches this door about five
before noon, unlocks it, closes ii after him
an disappears up dark, winding staircase which
Visitors can see for only second y few minutes
lat.- anyone standing the floor OF the Senate and
loo upward at the ornamented thick-glass ceiling
soc the figure OF walking in the sunlight
dr.-rg something after him. That picture is spread
ur the glass roof Of the Senate by the rays of the
MONDAY sun.
D.futy Sergeant-at-Arrns Stewart who has been
emI we'd by the Senate for than thirty wears
said When | came here old Father Bassett who
preceded me in this position and who had been with
III. Sate for almost seventy wears AT the time of
his le b. told that since the beginning OF the
Government II had been the to raise the flag
Whenever the Senate is in session. and to lower il
daily rmrnediately after adjournment The shadows
which YOU observe made by the with the flag
As the Nice-President calls the Senate order we
the lag running up to the peak The deliberations
a. the nate always carried beneath the banner
our e- lem OF liberty and union"
Tie work Of raising the flag for upward OF twenty
wear was done by !. ". Reed OF New Hampshire
who day secured permission for the narrator to
accompany him OF his midday trips the
roof and for himself the manner in which the
pui IS informed that the Senate is in session; for
all ot the people in Washington look TO that lagpole
10 inform themselves on that subject
Opening the door, around which an air OF mystery
seemed TO hang passed into the dark corridor
the great iron barrier TO freedom closing behind
with a snap all reassuring Up
spiral tight OF stairs 60 and taking a few steps
upon q platform We look down through the glass
ceiling II the Senate the floor below, where the
grave legislators are beginning TO congregate. All
around the glass bulbs OF electric lights which
used o. make the Senate Chamber light day under
al udiions Of weather and all hours OF day night
Tn system Of illumination by means OF two layers
OF glass with the electric appliances between them
is the most perfect in existence.
Ia-sing up a slender ladder are upon the roof
with The shining down upon and the therrnon-
eter IN ninety degrees From this point obtain a
grlnoent view Of the surrounding country. 1t is a
ha -tii1l scene green-Nalled by the hills Of Maryland
a. Virginia, the north, and west while the
1s The broad Of the historic Potomac glsten
IN -he golden sunlight. Then right above rises
th staff TO a height Of twenty feet. The ordinary
flag. ich is hoisted by Of two Of ropes,
twelve by twenty feet and requires handling by
sll ing man especially in windy weather.
Now this is the way it is done" said Mr.. Reed,
g.-ng the flag into position where he could easily
it. and with his eve ntently fixed the roof
81 The Navy Department building at the other end
If ,he city. The inner rope use to keep the flag
close 20 the pole, prevent its Tapping, while with
rope pull until the flag reaches the top Of
t- staff As he speaking, the signal OF noon-tire
t~ o.cia Washington gwen. The large black ball
over the Navy Department building seen TO drop
from is elevated staff showing that by the sensitive
ouoneers of the Naval Observatory the hour OF noon
had arrived As that ball began fall, Mr. Reed
Nh vigorous pulls brought the flag into Its proper
position. Then all Washington knew that II was
Twelve o'clock and that the Senate in session.
5, altaneousy, the Vice-President, seated in his
III. -.,,1fy hos. oft