Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1860-11-17
For the Patriot
s-0ur state Capitol Grounds.o


In the Southern HOmes'ead of the 9th uIt.,
there appeared fault-finding article under
the above caption. 1t seems that the same
writer (or the editor?) bad in a previous
number "-poke of the Commissioners not
having appointed regular Civil Engineer
and Landscape Gardener, as tie act Of As
sembly certainly intended"
Is somebody disappointed? Are two or
more expectants of office impatient?
The Homestead admits thai an Engineer had
completed the survey of certain sections of
ground" aud twas then discharged.'-
whereas ''the trainers of the appropriation
bill intended that such an Engineer should
be permanently employed"
Such is the language and so talcised. If
the ''framcrs of the bill intended" TO have
the Commissioners confer a sinecure upon
one or two anxious individuals, the Commits
sioners deserve commendation for wisdom,
and regard to economy surprising all such
Lawmakers. There is no need for either of
these stipendiaries at present. Surveys Lave
been made of as much ground as can be
worked upon at present, and enough to justi-
fly employment of Tin our opinion. we would
respectfully suggest to the Commissioners
quadruple the force now at work.
Aud yet when we make this suggestion of
a larger number of hands, we expressly dis
avow all disposition to censure the gentle
men who have charge of this public improve
ment. Some of them have given eight or
ten years attention, without dollar in com
pensation for their services; and we feel per-
fectly satisfied that they desire and intend to
have all the work done in a substantial and
commendable style. They have character at
stake in this work, and have had years in
which to study and plan for the most suit
able improvement.
Who has right TO say they have no plan?
Is the ornamented drawing of Mr.. Pfichard
anything more or better than the plan sub
mitted by the engineer? And if the Engi-
neer has made all the surveys now required,
why retain him as a ''permanent ofiicer,'' in
idleness?
Aud what of a Landscape Gardener?
We accord to Mr.. Prichard the merit
CialuleQ lOF HiuI. OuhHOWu 10 Hlul we uFScQ
his employment, although we do think
him as opinionated as any other man among
US in this branch of business.
We would cheerfully submit TO him the
landscape and ornamental work, but if the
Homestead expresses the views of Mr.. p. upon
the suitable time and place TO begin dis
play OF his taste, We should be inclined to
qualify somewhat our exalted opinion of his
pre-eminent fitness.
Is il Mr.. P.'s opinion that the .cut stone
wall on Cedar street is an abomination?,
Is it his ambition to display taste upon a
few small sections, or plats of pocket-hand-
kerchief size, Immediately around the
buildin-? Would he have these improve
ments made before there is any enclosure OF
the grounds
Then indeed would there arise necessity
for some other officers to be permanently APP
pointed. The Landscape Gardener would be
kept busy, as would also one or more sturdy
waichmen, day and night, to guard these
little '-beauty spots.''
We would urge the Commissioners 10 has
ten up this determination of cut stone" and
az SON as may be dig holes and set out trees,
which can be protected by boards "perma-