Mr. BUCKALEW. I deem it necessary to make a few remarks in consequence of what has been said by Senators who have spoken in the debate. In the 1st place, I agree entirely in the opinion expressed by the Senfrom Massachusetts that the Senate and House Halls were made too large; that it would have been much better if they had been constructed of smaller dimensions; but Itake it for granted that we shall not get any measure through both Houses of Congress proposing a reduction or contraction in their size, and in ducing the enormous expenditure which will be necessary to effect that object. The Senfrom Massachusetts says that he desires to get to the external atmosphere. Now, sir, by the plan proposed, you accomplish that object; you ct to the external atmosphere. The only ilference between the plan which the Senator suggested and that proposed is, that by this plan you get to the external atmosphere in the upper part of the Hall by windows surrounding it, and according to his idea you would get to the external atmosphere in the lower part of the Hall by side windows on 2 sides of the Chamber instead of four. Therefore, the whole objcct which he suggested as desrrable is obtaine by the plan before us, while it would be but partially attained by his. Of course, the moment that air is introduced from windows in the up perpart of the Hall, it would fall to the floor; the whole mass of air within the entire Chamber would be changed; and besides that, you would not be subjected to side currents of air upon the bodies of members themselves. There can be no question between the two, which is to be preferred. Now, air, with regard to the suggestion that we shall go to the sides of the wings with our Halls, my opinion is, after a long consideration of this subject, that that proposed reform is one which will never be accomplished; that it is simply a suggestion which, if not impracticable, will not within any reasonable period of time be realized. In the report made by the select committee on this subject, which has been read at the desk, a number of objections to it are stated which seem to me to be deci sive. But in addition to those objections, there is this one: after you get the Hall to the side of the win with 2 of its sides exposed to the externa atmosphere through the windows or other apertures, the whole question of ven tilation and its arrangement returns upon you. It is idle to talk of ventilatin a hall of mag nitude steadily, regularly, an successfully by side windows alone, Those side windows will be exceedingly objectionable to those who will occupy the Hall because of the currents of cold air which will fall from them if they are not double, and if you double them, as they will necessarily have to be in order to realize the result, the Senator’s external prospect would be excluded or impaired. I do not know that there is a single recommendation of that plan which remains, after considering carefully the practical difficulties in the way, except this one of having a prospect, a thing which you can have now by steping out upon the balcony under the colonnage. You are able, as far as that is concerned, to realize your wish if you choose to withdraw from business and from debate to enjoy the contemplation of nature, so far as nature can be seen in a city inhabited by 50 or 100 thouand people with the artificial conditions established by them. I repeat again, that when we get to the sides of the building we shall have to ado t some effective plan of ventilation, to bring t ie air in above or below and remove it when it becomes contaminated. I I have but one furtherremark tomake, which think will tend to reconcile gentlemen to the adoption of this amendment, which is the only practical point before us. The elevation of the ceiling, the insertiop of side windows, and the construction of a new roof, will not be entered upon before the next session of Congress. Of necessity, that part of the improvement will be delayed. When we meet next winter, we shall have a model in wood, open to the inspection of all the members of the Senate, showing precisely the effect of the changes proposed with reference to the roof and the ceiling and the side windows, so that it can be seen by the eye. Then if there be insuperable objections in the minds of Senators to entering upon that part of our plan of improvement, we can arrest it before any expense is incurred upon it. I suppose this explanation ought to be satisfactory to Senators, and induce them to agree to the amendment.