Near the end of 1817 Latrobe became em broiled with a new commissioner of the Federal building, Samuel Lane, and resigned. In his place was appointed Charles Bulfinch (q.v.), from 1 Jan. 1818; he remained supervising architect for the next decade. In the winter of 1819-20 Congress took its seat in the new hall. The centre was pushed forward to completion, and on 10 Dec. 1824, the entire interior was finished. In 1825 a public competition was held for the figures on the pediment of the eastern portico. From 1826 on, Bulfinch was employed on special detail, and the landscape gardening and work on the grounds, which were of his de signing. The capitol was set in a park of 22% acres, encircled by an iron railing somewhat taller than a man, affixed in the sandstone cop ing of a low wall. There were four carriage and five pedestrian entrances. On 2 March 18a the position of architect of the capitol was abol ished; but Bulfinch remained in employment till the end of June 1829, when Jackson dismissed him. He designed and planned the modern form of the then west extremity of the build ing, the Senate galleries and the terraces on the east; and made the dome higher than in Thornton's plan. Among others who should have great credit for the beauty of the capitol are Peter Lenox, clerk of works under Latrobe; George Blagden, superintendent of stone cutters; and Giovanni Andrei, an Italian, super intendent of carvers. That so beautiful and harmonious a structure should have emerged from the contentions of so many different minds is due partly to the really great ability the three chief architects, Thornton, Latrobe and Bulfinch, and partly to the determination of suc cessive Presidents that the changes should har monize with the original design. Latrobe's ma terial external alterations of Thornton's plan have been mentioned; Bulfinch designed the western central portico as it now stands.
From 1829 to 1836 there was no architect of the capitol On 6 June 1836, Jackson appointed as Federal architect Robert Mills (q.v.), who
had studied under Latrobe; and he held the place till 1851. Thomas U. Walter (q.v.) then took the post, having drawn the plans for the two modern wings that extended the original capitol, which the government needs had out grown, into the modern one. The corner-stone of the extension was laid by President Fillmore, 4 July 1851; the new Representatives' hall was occupied in 1857; the Senate hall in 1859. The great lengthening of the dimensions required a correspondent heightening of the dome; and Mr. Walter designed a new one, which was con structed during the Civil War, and completed at the close of 1863, the statue of Freedom being then lifted into place. Mr. Walter, however, had foreseen a future need of still further ex tension, and had drawn plans for it while the other work was going on. Congress in the spring of 1903 authorized their execution, at an expenditure of $2,500,000 and three, years' time, under the supervision of the Federal architect, Mr. Woods. As now completed the capitol cost over $16,000,000. It covers an area of about four acres standing amid beauti ful park grounds of nearly 50 acres, adorned with fountains and classic statuary. The build ing is 750 feet long, from 121 to 140 feet deep and rises to a total height of 285% feet from •the base of the capitol to the top of the final figure of Freedom, 19% feet high, on the dome. Massive cast bronze doors, depicting events famous in the nation's history, grace the three main entrances on the east front — to the Ro tunda, the Senate and the House. In the Rotunda under the dome are many priceless historical paintings, and in Statuary Hall is an assemblage of portrait statues, gifts from various states. The Supreme Court occupies a room in the Central building,. the Senate chamber is in the north wing, the House of Representatives in the south.