Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-03-29
FOR TIE SPECTATOR.
TO THE COMMON COUNCIL:
GENTLrMeN:

uENTLEMEN.
1t has for some time past been growing public
sentiment In our community that we need Town
tiai: WIZ not stop to argue its Importance to our
comfort and Improvement. The occasions so ofian
recurring, in which wo have felt the w,nt NJ sor,.
such apartment for our public assemblapes have anS
hcientiy demonstrated not merely it's imnort,n..
but in some sort its necessity. The practical oues
tion is: Hoo is IL 10 be accomplished?
The scarcity of vacant lots within the town and
their high price, present serious obstacle TO the
purchase Of ground. But happily your worshipfnl
body have 1t in their power surmount this obs,,
Gle, or rather to avoid it, second story upon The
Market house at once accomplishes the object
choaply, and it may be in style ornamental 70 the
town. Let the Market house be extended In tho
limits OF the lot eastward, say by the addition Of
swo more arches, making its whole length some So
or 60 feet Then (assumng its present width IN
be ~ ieet project second story, say feet ON Ell
,her SIDE to DO supported upon an arched collonade
ms would give room above stairs of SO by SIS
or 6O feet, which would probably be spaciou, A.
nough for all needfu purposes, aiiording comfor,a
Die accommodations for popular meetings, conven-
lions, scientific lectures, concerts, fairs Sc, Sc
In It's exterior it would DO an ornament to the town
converting an unsighlly fabric int an imposing edi
nee, whilst lis spacious arcades below would largo
~ enhance the comforts and convenience as we'll oP
tho citizens purchasing as Of the market men fur
nishlng their supplies.
1" PROCESS OF hme should we aspire to tho digni-
~ and elegance and public convenience of 'roSyn
clock, Cupola might be erected upon the centre
OF the roof, from which commanding position the
dias could be and the stroke Of The hours be, RI
moro widely perhaps than from any other point in
the town. AZ
Bo this rs it may, it is certain that the addition
OF second story could be- cheapy made: ho,p
cneapiy your body can shortly ascertain by refer
ehce 10 any OF our architects or builders In the
OF practical men it is believed the ronts OF
sucn room would fully pay-perhaps good deal
moro than pay-the interest upon the prime cost
together with all charges ofrepairs, attendance Sc
AN enlightened public policy would SEEK to at.
Hact hi'her all those public exhibitions in science
and the useful or ornamental arts which mari the
age in which we live, and which all men ooree ,ro
e!eva'ing. humanizng and refining in their teaden.
cies. And 1t Is obvious TO remark that the civic
fence oil spacious and suitable Hall will afford one
OF INC surest attractions Of SUCH while the want IF
II must forever tend to exclude them and by conse
9uence TO leave us so far forth behind the times =
Dui should your body not deem itself justified in
undertaking the entire work for and on behalf of
me corporation, still by the exhibition OF fair and
i.oo'ai spirit on your part il may be accomplished
Le' 'ne council subscribe such sum as would adj
es!uateiy compensate for the enlargement of the
market house proper-an enlargement altopetber
III neep'hg win the actual and prospective growth
oi the town-and then authorize and empoUor in
dlvdual subscribers 10 erect the buil6ing and =.
ceVe the rents IN the form Of dividends upon their
stock and my word for it the capital will be- fnnd
Might not the County also be expected to sub
SCRIBE something upon the condition that deleeafed
1oa'eS from the State at large, such as Political
internal Improvement and other like conventions
should have the free Of the Hall sort of ac-
c conn which we have more than once pain
fully felt the want Of
throw out these hints, gentlemen, for your ma
'urer reflections, and your aggregate wisdom to
make such use of as 10 you shall seem fit.
PROGRESS