Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-04-02


REMOVAL OF THE BELL HOUSE.
Tho following communication from the Executive, was
mad in tn. Senate on Monday We happy hear that
il hos been on motion of MIR Dcneac in the Senate, and
Mr. Conway Robinson in The House. referred TO very nte
oont committees Of both bodies
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, March rs, 1882
To The General Assembly Of Virginia:
| beg leave to submit, herewith communication recon-
mcnting removal OF the Bell House now upon the Pub
lie Square the erection of repoo building for the prescr
ya,io Of the Standard Weights and Measures belonging 10
the State and other improvement. upon the Capitol grounds
for which respectfully ask the favorable and early attention
Of The Legislature
JOS JOHNSON
Letter from the Committee Tie Capitol Square, TO the ES
RICHMOND, March llh, 1852
His Eycesncv Jos JOHNSON Governor of the Stale of Va.
SlR-Ths completion Of The improvements OF me Capltol
SQUARE now in progress requires the removal OF the icon-
,rivcd ami unsgh'y Bell House which now clshsu'es the
nubc grounds around the Capitol and the erection OF sew
cta new gutcways At the same time, he-proof building
Is rec ret by the Superintendent of Weights
and Measures for the preservation and use oil the elaborate
and costly standards OF weights and measures which have
been and arc be distributed TO the State OF Virginia. under
an act OF Congress OF the United States,
the gateway required for the principal entrance 10 the
SQUARE ON m southern SIDE Immediately IL front OF The Cap
o should be somewhat imposing structure ard may be
easily cort'ived 10 answer admirably and exactly an
The purposes CT imposing and handsome gateway w'ti
room above the arches precisely suited for the Standards
another room above that for the Guard and The whole
srmounled by clock ond bell, substituting the present
Bell. House by avoiding The necessity Of having guard con-
s:uny kept duty strike the tlme when II may be done
much more accurately by machinery
Il worthy OF remark and perhaps not very ereditabie TO
the State OF Virginia. that in ibis age OF mechanics, SOL
der of hr State Guard is constantly Kept duty TO per-
form the unnlary function oa clock hamnerand Is made
during The tedious OF The nigh; well dayo watch
The advent If each recurring period Of time and announce II
by striking upon .cll.
onsidcring propricy Of relieving the State Guard
cm this unnecessary duty (Which it's believed materially
nierrcres with their proper duties and affects nuousy
hcr d;scinne b. The simple substitution of clock sach
as /. found in almost every and to the Northin every
village and considering aso the necessity OF providing
suitable for the preservation OF The Standards ana The
Appropriateness OF handsome and permanent structure
MAJ king The principal entrance OF the public grounds We
are satisfied that the plan suggested is not only admirably
suited for these purposes but that il would be the most Geo.
nomca which could he adopted.
We therefore, respectfully recommend lis favorable con.
sieraun 10 your Excccncyi aad Ii meets with your ap-
probation that it be recommended 10 the Legislature In or.
der that authority may DO given and appropriation made
Tor it's execution. lHohao /. uiLEoi
For The Committee the Capitol Square.
RIO. W. HUGHES,
SUPERINTENDENT of Weights and Measures.
G.. DIMMOCk,
Sunerintendent of Public Buildings.