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30 chapters
I THE CITY OF WASHINGTON
I THE CITY OF WASHINGTON
The City of Washington is the central point of interest of that stage on which is being performed the second century act in the great drama of self-government. The actors here are the representatives of 85,000,000 of people. The spectators are all the peoples of the world, to be succeeded by those of all future ages. If this experiment in self-government should fail, all other republics will surely perish; but we believe that the Republic of the United States of America has taken its place as a
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II A GENIUS FROM FRANCE
II A GENIUS FROM FRANCE
Among the pathetic figures of the early days of the Capitol City is that of Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, who was selected by Washington to draft plans for the new city. L'Enfant was a skilful engineer who had come to America with Lafayette in 1777. He did not go back to France with his countrymen in 1783, but remained in this country, and was employed by Washington as an engineer in several places. He devoted the summer of 1791 to planning, not the capital of a small nation, but a city which c
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III THE CAPITOL BUILDING
III THE CAPITOL BUILDING
The corner-stone of the old Capitol, which constitutes the central portion of the new edifice, was laid the 18th of September, 1793, by General Washington, in the presence of a great concourse of people and with imposing ceremonies. The corner-stones of the wings were laid by President Fillmore, July 4, 1851. Webster delivered the oration of the occasion. The old building is of yellow sandstone, kept painted white to beautify and preserve it; the wings are of white marble. On its central portico
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IV INTERIOR OF THE CAPITOL
IV INTERIOR OF THE CAPITOL
In 1808 Jefferson made Benjamin Henry Latrobe supervising architect of what we now call the old Capitol, being the central portion of the present building. He constructed the original Senate Chamber, now the Supreme Court Room, on the plan of the old Greek theater, the general outline of which it yet retains. The House (now Statuary Hall) also had a decidedly Grecian aspect. It was finished in 1811. Statuary Hall is semicircular in shape, and has a vaulted roof. Its ornamentation is not yet comp
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V THE ROTUNDA
V THE ROTUNDA
It is not the purpose in these sketches to go into any minute descriptions of places or things in Washington. To do that volumes would be needed, and then much left untold. The Rotunda is the central part of the old building of the Capitol, and lies beneath the dome. It is circular in form, with a diameter of ninety-five feet, and with a height to the canopy above of a little over one hundred and eighty feet. The panels of the Rotunda are set with life-size pictures, illustrating important scene
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VI CONCERNING SOME OF THE ART AT THE CAPITOL
VI CONCERNING SOME OF THE ART AT THE CAPITOL
Among the interesting pictures in the Capitol is Frank B. Carpenter's picture, "The First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, September 22, 1862." Mr. Lincoln was accustomed to speak of the act which this picture represents as the central act of his administration. Historians have recorded it the leading event of the nineteenth century. It changed the policy of the war, and was received by the army and the people as a necessary war measure. According to Mr. Carpenter, he takes the moment w
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VII THE SENATE CHAMBER
VII THE SENATE CHAMBER
In visiting the Capitol building most people desire first to see the Senate Chamber, possibly from the fact that the names of the Senators are more familiar, because, as a usual thing, men have been long in public life before they have become Senators. The Senate Chamber is 112 feet in length, 82 feet wide, and 30 feet high. The floor rises like that of an amphitheater; the walls are white, buff, and gold in color, and the ceiling consists of panels of glass, each one bearing the coat of arms of
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VIII THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
VIII THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Hall of Representatives is in the south wing of the Capitol, and is similar in form and design to the Senate Chamber, being semicircular, with a gallery of twelve hundred seating capacity extending around the entire hall. Like the Senate, the walls are white, buff, and gold, and the ceiling panels of glass, each showing in connection with a State coat of arms the cotton plant in some stage of development. The Speaker of the House sits at a desk of pure white marble, and in front of him are s
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IX CONCERNING REPRESENTATIVES
IX CONCERNING REPRESENTATIVES
It is not all "skittles and beer" to be a Senator or a Representative at Washington. The continued pressure from a man's constituents that he shall accomplish certain legislation for his district, and the iron-clad rules which prohibit his every movement, if in the House of Representatives, are enough to break an ordinary man's health. A new member goes to the House full of enthusiasm, hoping to accomplish great things for those who have trusted him; he finds that he is scarcely permitted to ope
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X THE SUPREME COURT ROOM
X THE SUPREME COURT ROOM
Continuing our examination of what is called the original Capitol building, we would stop next at the Supreme Court room, once the Senate Chamber of the United States. For quiet, harmonious beauty it is unequaled by any other room in the building. It was designed by Latrobe, after the model of a Greek theater—a semicircular hall, with low-domed ceiling, and small gallery back and over the seats occupied by the dignified judges of the Supreme Court of the United States. "The Bench" is composed of
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XI INCIDENTS CONCERNING MEMBERS OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
XI INCIDENTS CONCERNING MEMBERS OF THE SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES
The Chief Justice of the United States is the highest legal officer in this country. The position has always been filled by men of great learning and of high integrity, and, differ as we may concerning the wisdom and justice of some Supreme Court decisions, yet we must believe the judges were sincere and honest in their renditions. When the country loses confidence in the integrity of this court, the very foundation of our government will be in danger. The first Chief Justice was John Jay, appoi
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XII TEACHING PATRIOTISM IN THE CAPITOL
XII TEACHING PATRIOTISM IN THE CAPITOL
One can fancy a patriotic Englishman taking his son to Westminster Abbey, and there telling him the story of liberty, in the history of the renowned dead who sleep about him, until the youth is inspired with a patriotism deeper than the love of kindred, and second only to the love of God. So an American father who desires his children to assume their proper place among the great force of American youth who are to perpetuate American institutions, might well bring them to the Capitol of the natio
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XIII PEOPLE IN THE DEPARTMENTS
XIII PEOPLE IN THE DEPARTMENTS
About one-third of all the employees in the government departments at Washington are women. Several receive over $2,500 per annum, about fifty receive $1,600 per annum, one hundred receive $1,400 per annum, four hundred and fifty receive $1,200, three hundred receive $1,000, and the remainder receive from $600 to $900 per annum. The Civil Service Commission records for last year show that 3,083 women were examined for the various positions opened for them under the civil service. Of these, 2,476
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XIV INCIDENTS IN AND OUT OF THE DEPARTMENTS
XIV INCIDENTS IN AND OUT OF THE DEPARTMENTS
" I must go down to the Census Office to hold a scrub-woman in her place," said a Western Congressman to me. He added: "Let me tell you about her. She does not belong to my State, but you will not be surprised that I propose to hold her in her poor place, which brings $20 per month, when I explain her case. She is the widow of a regular army officer. Her husband in the Civil War was twice promoted for personal bravery. His native town presented him with a sword as a tribute of his courage. His w
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XV TREASURY DEPARTMENT
XV TREASURY DEPARTMENT
The Treasury building, on Pennsylvania Avenue and Fifteenth Street, was located by President Jackson just east of the White House so as to obstruct his view of the Capitol, at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. It is said that he grew tired of the little differences of opinion between the commissioner and the architect, Robert Mills, and one day in ill humor he struck his staff in the earth and said: "I want the chief corner-stone of the Treasury building placed just here!" You may be sure it
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XVI SECRET SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES
XVI SECRET SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY OF THE UNITED STATES
Every one is interested in what is called the Secret Service of the government. The name covers many things, altho we usually associate it with the government's protection of the coin and greenback currency of the country. The detectives of this department are often employed in assisting to find out or run down robbers of banks, railroad trains, express offices, etc. They are also used in detecting frauds at the custom-houses, frauds in the departments of justice, pertaining to naturalization pa
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XVII POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT
XVII POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT
Every man and woman in the republic has a personal interest in this department of the government. You pay two cents for a stamp, throw a missive into a box, and start the machinery which requires 100,000 persons to run it. If your letter is for the Philippines, you use the railroad and the ocean steamer, with many relays of men and engines to perform your bidding. If your letter is for Alaska, you use the railroad, the steamship, and the reindeer team to deliver it. Not an hour, day or night, th
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XVIII DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
XVIII DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
About fifty years ago, at the request of Hon. H. E. Ellsworth, the sum of one thousand dollars was set apart in the interest of agriculture; now there is a Department of Agriculture, and its Secretary is a member of the President's Cabinet. The present Secretary of this department is Hon. James Wilson, of Iowa. He served several terms in Congress, was Regent of the State University of Iowa, and for six years prior to his present appointment was Director of the Iowa Experimental Station and profe
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DIETETICS
DIETETICS
This subject of the relative value of foods is one that interests every individual. The Department of Agriculture is making a brave effort to secure a law regulating interstate and international commerce, requiring that all foods sent from one state to another, or to foreign countries, shall be labeled for just what they are, and shall conform to the government standard in excellence. For instance, renovated or "process" butter is now passing its ordeal. "Process" butter means that a large quant
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XX DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
XX DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The Department of the Interior was created by act of Congress in 1849. When the names of its subdivisions are enumerated, it will readily be seen that no adequate description of it can be given in one or two chapters. It comprises the Patent Office, the Pension Office, General Land Office, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Education, Commissioner of Railroads, and the Office of the Geological Survey. Each office is managed by a commissioner or director, who has under him a large force of offic
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XXI BRANCHES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
XXI BRANCHES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
The Gallaudet College for the Deaf is situated in Northeast Washington, at Kendall Green. It is surrounded by about one hundred acres of ground. Until within a year it has been known as the Columbian Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, but the Board of Directors, at the request of the alumni, wisely changed it to Gallaudet College, in honor and memory of Thomas Hopkins Gallaudet, founder of deaf-mute education in America. The honor is also deserved by the Hon. Edward M. Gallaudet, LL.D., its pres
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XXII BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
XXII BUREAU OF INDIAN AFFAIRS
This bureau is located in a beautiful white marble building between Seventh and Eighth streets, facing the Patent Office. These two buildings are among the very best specimens of architecture in the capital. Hon. Francis E. Leupp, the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, receives a salary of $5,000; the Assistant Commissioner receives $3,000. They have about one hundred assistants in Washington, consisting of clerks, bookkeepers, stenographers, superintendents, architects, draftsmen, etc. Of persons
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XXIII THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
XXIII THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
The great necessity for a separate building for a Congressional Library was first urged by Mr. A. R. Spofford, in his Librarian's Report in 1872. An appropriation was made for the purchase of the ground in 1886. The site consists of ten acres of ground, facing the east front of the Capitol. The ground and the old buildings upon it cost $585,000, and the building itself, $6,032,124.34. It is the handsomest, most convenient, and best lighted and ventilated library building in the world, and I beli
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XXIV THE PENSION OFFICE
XXIV THE PENSION OFFICE
The Pension building is situated on Judiciary Square, near G Street. It is the largest department building in Washington, being 400 feet from east to west and 200 from north to south, and 75 feet high. The walls surround an interior courtyard, two galleries extend around this court, and from these galleries access is attained to the rooms on the second and third stories. The building cost half a million dollars; it is of mixed architecture, not beautiful in appearance, but the best lighted, heat
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STATE DEPARTMENT
STATE DEPARTMENT
In the department of the Secretary of State one sees the portraits of all the great men who have occupied the position of Secretary of State from the time of Washington down to the present occupant. Most people would be interested in the Huntington portraits of Grant, Sherman, and Sheridan, and in a copy of Gilbert Stuart's portrait of Washington. In the State Department the most interesting are the portraits of Thomas Jefferson, 1789, Washington's first term; Daniel Webster, 1841 and 1850; Will
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THE WAR DEPARTMENT
THE WAR DEPARTMENT
In time of war or just following a war the most interesting department is that which was lately occupied by Elihu Root and William H. Taft. Mr. Root is noted as a great corporation lawyer, and at first seemed to consider that the government of the United States could be run on the same principles as a great corporation—that is, "We shall do as we please in spite of public opinion." But he was severely brought to task for this. Later he became Secretary of State. In spite of this, the report of t
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THE NAVY DEPARTMENT
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT
The offices of the Navy Department are situated in the same building as those of the War Department. The Secretary of the Navy occupies some of these handsome rooms. On their walls are the pictures of eighteen Secretaries, more than half the number of those who have occupied the high place being yet unrepresented. Secretary Long urged that the pictures of those yet waiting should be secured and given a place among these worthies. Down to Lincoln's day the following persons occupied the place of
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XXVII DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
XXVII DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
In February, 1903, President Roosevelt nominated to the head of the new Department of Commerce and Labor his secretary, George B. Cortelyou, and to be Commissioner of Corporations in that department James R. Garfield, who is a son of President Garfield, and a member of the Civil Service Commission. Of these appointments the New York Times expressed the general opinion of the press of the country: The former appointment is significant chiefly because the new Secretary is intimately known to the P
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XXVIII THE EXECUTIVE MANSION
XXVIII THE EXECUTIVE MANSION
The President's house is generally known as the White House. It is situated on Pennsylvania Avenue, one mile west of the Capitol building. It contains two lofty stories above ground and a basement. MRS. WILLIAM H. TAFT (Copyright, 1908, by Harris & Ewing, Washington. D. C.) It was modeled after the palace of the Duke of Leicester by the architect, James Hobon. The foundation was laid October 13, 1792, and the building was first occupied by President John Adams in the summer of 1800. It w
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XXIX INTERESTS IN WASHINGTON WHICH CAN NOT HERE BE FULLY DESCRIBED
XXIX INTERESTS IN WASHINGTON WHICH CAN NOT HERE BE FULLY DESCRIBED
In the third story of the Congressional Library strangers can find two papier-maché models which are of great interest. One represents the City of Washington in 1902, the other represents the Washington of the future. Congress has called the great engineers of the War Department and four of the leading artists of the United States as a committee on civic improvement for the capital city. The artists are: Mr. Daniel H. Burnham, of Chicago; Mr. John C. Olmstead, the noted landscape artist; Mr. Cha
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