The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1906-01-18

John Walter Smith, who signed
the bill for the erection of the
building and presided two years
over the commission, and of Spen-
Ger Cone Jones, who introduced
the bill and who presided over the
Senate at the first session held in
the new chamber.
Mr.. Jones has been a conspicu-
Gus figure in Maryland for many
years. As youth he entered the
ranks of the Southern army, and
It was his boast that he was one of
the few private soldiers who sur
vived. Unfortunately, his friends
forced upon him the rank of colo
mel, so he is no longer a private.
He enjoys the distinction of having
been indicted by the grand jury of
Frederick county, along with zone
Robert E. Lee" for treason and
being in instruction against the
Government.
/ In recognition of the debt which
the State owes to Mr.. Jones in Sc
curing the new building the Senate
at the last session ordered his por-
trait painted. The portrait of
Governor Warfeld, who, since he
became Governor, has been most
active in the work of the Building
Commission, has also been ordered
and will be hung in the Senate
/ Chamber.
The act Of 1904 making the ap-
preparations for the completion Of
the State House authorized the
commission likewise to repair the
old building. Repairs were urgent
ly needed and the appropriation
was not sufficient to complete
them. The architects report that
the building is in need of paint and
that the wooden cornices are rot
ting. But as far as the work has
gone 1t has been admirably done.
The moving spirit in this part of
the work was Governor Warfeld-
than whom no man in Maryland
takes a more lively and intelligent
interest in the history of the State.
For many years there have been
attempts to restore the old Senate
chamber to its historic appearance,
but all have failed until Governor
w a ri el d took the bull by the
horns. BY authority of resolu-
ton of the commission the Cover
nor appointed an advisory commit
tee OF the representatives of the
various patriotic societies, under
whose direction the work ofrestor-
alton was completed. The names
of the members of this committee
are given on a tablet which has
been placed on the wall in the
chamber. This inscription on the
tablet is as follows:
ORIGINAL SENATE CHAMBER MARYLAND.
In this room Gen. George Washington
resigned his commission as Command
er-in-Chief of the Army of the United
States of America,
December %, 1888.
The restoration to its original design
was made during Observation-Disclosures of
Edwin Warfeld, Governor of Mary
land, A. D. 1905, being authorized by
the commission in charge of the State
House Annex Building The work was
done under the supervision of the fol-
lowing advisory commission:
Edwin Warfield, Governor.
j. Appleton Wilson, Josias Pennginton,
Clayton c. Hall, J. Davidson Iglehart,
John S. Cuttings, j. Writ Randall,
DeCourcy W. Thorn, George H. Shafer.
Baldwin & Pennington,
Architects.
The committee was fortunate
enough to find some photographs
taken before the changes were made
in 1873, which, along with some
of the original pieces which have
been preserved in the Land Office
by Mr.. George H. Shafer, enabled
a faithful reproduction to be made.
The old gallery has been put back,
chimney and fireplace and man
tel put in, small window panes put
back, the original green color of
the walls restored and the old ma
hogany desk Of the presiding off
Ger was recovered and replaced.
Over the fireplace is hung the
painting of Washington, LAFAYETTE