New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1854-08-14
PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE
NEW CITY HALL--REPORT or THE
COMMITTEE, &c.


10 the Editor Of The ~ y. Tribune .
SIR: Permit US to say few words, through the
columns of THE TRIBUNE, in reference to the action
Of the Committee of the Boari Of Councilman on the
Plans and Specifications for new City Hall, which
in made the special order for Monday evening next
officials are irresponsible in these days of eorrup-
ton and committees are proverbislly laundering.
But neither the sefshness favoritesm of officials
nor the incompetency or negligence OF committees
sboud be allowed to control the selection of Il plan
for the proposed City Hail. The people may perhaps
tolerate corruption and imbecilty in small matters
but If an attempt is made, through these means to
sacrifice the public interests for the benefit OF dis
honest officials and their favorites in matter OF such
magnitude as that Of the erection OF new City Hail.
involving an expenditure of over hall million oil dol
lara they will be pretty likely to rally in sedefen,e,
and administer such rebuke the importance OF the
case demands.
For some reason unknown TO us and the public the
Committee on Plans and specifications (whO meet in
the office of the Commissioner Of Repairs and Suppes)
have recommended IAN almost every way Inferior 10
others before it, and one that would prove unsat STAG
tory and dgraceful to the city, II adopted and carried
out The uncoutb plan is that OF Fields ~ Correla
who we understand are the only men ever employed
by the Commissioner of Repairs and Supplies to do
work for the city which comes in their ne and 1T is
thought by some that in the estimation OF that worthy
functionafy they are the only architects buders
ionere or carpenters in the city But be that as it
may through some mysterious influence, the Commit
tee has been charmed into the unanimous recommen-
dation of plan which internally is little else than
COPY of the dismal and cramped old City Hail. and ex
ternally very much resembles one OF those huge piles
of brick that so frequently obstruct the sidewalks and
tboroughfares of this great city.
We want City Hall that will be credit and an
ornament to the city one that will not perpetualy
humble us before the world. While we are about It,
we may as well erect edifce that Will be an arch-
tectural model in all its details, since 1t Will cost no
more TO copy and beautiful models and carry
out plans characterized by harmony and symmetry
than il would TO erect an awkward, unshapey pile.
And in the construction of new City Hall, there
are important public wants to be considered, which
have been entirely overlooked by Fields N C0rreIa
One of the principal of these ample provision Tor the
General Post Office. Another is, the necessity for
conmodious gallery in which TO deposit national rects
and gems OF native art. Our plan, at least has the
merit Of making provision for these wants, beside con-
tanning in greater perfection all the points claimed TOR
the preferred plan, and many features of taste and
utility Fields & Core seem not 10 have dreamed OF.
Especially are stairs far superior to theirs and su
peror to any thing in the country or, we believe, In
he world We say that we KNOW that our plan is
every way superior TO Fields & Correjas and We can
find plenty OF men of taste judgment, education and
scentfc requirements TO bear us out III our assertion
Doubtless there others superior to thelrs-f not,
they do not speak much for the architectural talent OF
the country But we sag, let TIE BEST plan be adopted
If there is superior TO ours that the one to be Sc
lected by all means. We are not governed by selfish
ness but br desire TO check the wholesale practice
Of favoritism which so extensively prevails in all oui
public affairs and to prevent the Ciy from being no
only imposed upon and robbed butabsOutey disgrace'
in the eyes of the world,
AZ matters stand, in regard to the proposed
CITY Hail. we inclined to the belief that the Com
mittee trusted altogether too much to the opinion
the Commissioner OF Repairs and Supplies, ard tina
he has led astray either through natural incompe
tency OF too strong desire TO favor his particular
friends-e.tng personal considerations doubtless
Intentionally outweigh important public cousidera
tions The suggestions made by some that the Com
mittee was "honney-feged" TO give unanimous re
port We do not endorse. We want more evidence.
The Reform Committee should by all means interes
themselves in this matter. If there occasion
for vigilance it is here, and now. We think we see
storm gatbering--it may be mass meeting. The PEG
pie not SO fast asleep but what they be awsk
ened. The sentnels at their pOsts-at least
efthem-and will doubtless do their duty Yours truly
Nee iak, Aus. IL, 1884 b. 4. IRA BUCHANAN, Jr.