New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-09-21
A ROsTON NOTION.

The Hub has new spoke to its wheel. III
other words, Boston has a new City Hall, ahd
ON Monday dedicated the same with solemn
services to municipal use. The fact might mol
provoke much comment as a civic phenomenon
CITY Halls are not uncommon, nor 90 we KNOW
whether the Boston building invites admiration
or criticism as a work of art. It's its financial
history that gives it an attraction for New
Workers and the rest of mankind. In an humble
way, the Puritan capital seems to have been
initiating the prod gal magniicence which
characterizes our metropolitan spendlngS. In
fact. the Boston City Hall reminds Us forcibly
of the new Courthouse which is struggling
skyward in uncertain competition with board
fence and unlimited play-bills in the Park.
Ex-Mayor Wightman is reputed the author
the TONS ct origo-of the Trimountain Hall. lie
bcguled an economical council into thinking a
building "worthy Of our wealthy municipality
how grand that sounds-might be built FOL
$3.50. 600. Trustworthy mechanics of well
known standing made an estimate Of II at that
sun; lust as mechanics more or less trust
worthy" put the cost Of our new Court
House AT something less than S1,OOO.OOO, II We
remember. Having got the Job started, Mr.
Wightman, "much to the satisfaction OF most
of his fellow citizens" says an ungrateiul jour
nal. went out of office. When he was gone, the
proportions Of his little job began to develop.
They appear to have mechanics IN Bos'
ton with q genius for estimating Ike our
| iron.contractors, for instance, at the Court
House. Mayor Wightman on retiring had made
contracts for only Slii, 300 out of his proposed
$3.50, 900, aud took great credit therefor unto
himself. His credit lasted the space OF
two days or less, until his successor
had time TO acquaint the adm'ring public
with the fact that this sum did not in
cudo the expenses Of plastering, copper-work,
carving, plumbing, heating-apparatus. painting
glazing, marblc-work, gas-fXtureS, iitting-up OF
Offices. architects, fees, or furniture, which were
estimated at Sl23,-00 additional! The City
Fathers thercupon appeared in the foolish
position Of those who before building had not
counted the true cost. Nothing dounted by
that fact, they went ahead, and spent other
peoples money with characteristic generosity.
BY and by il appeared that Mr.. Wight
mans modesty had led him to put
sundry little items too low. His iron-work,
for instance, contracted for at $500
had cost, up to March of this year, so 600 AN
illustration of the laws Of expansion which
might make even our Court-IiouSc Cornells
cnvious.
Not to 90 too much into details, Boston
footed up its City Hall bills three days ago at
the moderate sum of $4,000 instead OF
500. 600: rathcress than three times the sum
which economical Wightman had calculated.
Yet she does notappear to think-as herdcar DR..
Franklin would say-that she paid too dear lor
her whistle. The difference between her ease
and our is that having paid that sum, she really
has her whistle, while we, having spent nobody
knows how many millions on our board fence
and marble walls. are still as far as ever from
having a Courthouse. How much happier j,
Boston than we