The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-14
CITY INTELLIGENCE.
IgoR ADDITIoNAL LooAI IEEMs DE- r1rrr rAar

Square, is so nearly finished that a special
XenlIe mas been issued for jurors for the second
monday OF March, 1t being the intention of the
Judges to hold Court in the old and new buiid.
ings at the same time, and thus dispose of the
business that has accumulated within the past
six months. ..
The new Court House, although not present.
ing a very imposing appearance so far as the
exterior is concerned, will nevertheless give us
courtroom AS complete in its details as any in
the State. The lot on which the building stands
1s go feet by H. feet. The first floor is devoted
to the Grand Jury and Clerk of the. Court
hall 10 feet wide runRing through the centre
rom east to west. On the south side Of the
hall are two offices for the District Attorney, a
male and female witness room. and one large
room Tor the Grand Jury. These rooms all
communicate so as to avoid the necessity of
apartment to the other.
On the north side Is q private office for the
Clerk of the Quarter Sessions. This communi-
Gates with large room in which the dockets
and papers of the Office will be kept and where
the public business will be transacted. Adjoin-
ing this room is an apartment, % feet by 26,
No disposition has been made of this ROOM but
the Judges will request Councils to it it up as
courtroom, wherein motions can be heard, as
in the smaller room attached to the United
States District Court. All the rooms on the frst
floor are IL feet in height.
On the second floor, access TO which is had
by means OF a broad stairway, the space is
divided In such manner as to give Court
room go by 20 feet, as we'll as District At
toIney's office and two witness rooms. This
has been done by means OF a brick partition
running north and south, and 20 feet from the
line OF the building on Sixth street. A portion
OF the space thus secured by the partition wall
is devoted to the stairway and vestibule lead
ing to the Courtroom; and while the Court
room is 80 feet in height, the portion fronting
on Sixth street is divided into two stories so as
to give the witness rooms leading to the
Courtroom and also two jury rooms up stairs
and beyond the reach of outside parties, except
by passing up in the sight of the officers.
The alcoVe, for the judges bench and the
judges retiring-room, is independent of the
dimensions given above as those of the court
room. The ceiling Is finished in white, while
the sides are toned down by means of what is
called the 'sand 6nish." Ample light is
secured by five large double windows Oh each
side, two at the east end, independent of those
in the judges alcove. Ventilators in the floor,
as well a large circular opening in the
ceiling, will supply the fresh air to the room.
heating apparatus, the registers being placed
along the side walls of the room, about four
feet from the floor. large chandelier, with
twenty-six burners, suspended from the ceiling,
and twenty double-bracket burners, ranged
along the sides, Will supply the light at night.
All the gas-fXtures throughout the building
are of bronze and gold.
In arranging the Courtroom for the trans
action of business, especial reference has been
had to the wants of the judges the jurors, men,
bers of the BAR. the witnesses, parties and
spectators. The judges in the new room will
be removed from the reach of parties, and the
attention of the Court will not so frequently
be claimed by outsiders while an important
case may be progressing. Nor can parties come
between the Judge and the witnesses while on
the stand, as IN the old Courtroom. The Clerk
of the Court and the Deputy Sheriff will be
stationed at the south side of the room. while
the witness stand will be at the north, and
those who have business with the Clerk or
Sheriff will not be required TO interfere with
the District Attorney, crier or witness A
forms the judges desk, while on platform in
front the District Attorney and court officers
will be stationed, with ample accommoda-
tions for the transaction of business. In the
northeast corner of the room space has been
provided for the Jury empannelled to try
case. They will be separated from the specta-
tors as well as their fellow jurors, and no one
can approach them for any purpose, either in
front or to the rear, without being noticed by
the Court. Adjoining this jury-box is a
nelled. This is also designed to separate them
from the spectators and witnesses, or parties
interested in the cases before the Court. On
the south side of the room a jury-boX for the
grand jury, another tor jury on rendering a
verdict, and third for parties and attorneys,
are provided. All the woodwork of these
compartments, as we'll as the window sash and
frames, is grained in imitation of oak, while a
light railing in front of all is painted in imita-
tion OF walnut. About the centre of the room
two docks are provided, one tor males and the
other for females. Prisoners will be brought
in the van by the Chestnut street entrance to the
square, and will be taken out at the door on
the north side of the building This gives
door opening directly into one of the prisoners
docks. The space between the compartments
described above as designed for jurors is in
tended for members of the bar. 1t will be ample
for all purposes, and will be a great improve
ment, as compared with the contracted quar-
tiers in the old room.
Having thus provided for the members of the
bar, jurors and Others compelled to be in at
tendance, provision is next made for spectators
and such witnesses as may be waiting to be
called to the stand. Thirty feet by sixty feet is
given to the audience. To accommodate the
people, seats ranged in the form of pews upon
an inclined platform are provided. This por-
tion of the building will seat about 300 persons.
Attached to the witness-rooms are water closets
and other conveniences, while in every respect
throughout the building due regard has been
had to the comfort of those compelled to attend
the Court. In the new room the judges will be
enabled to maintain order and decorum, and
thus impress parties with the solemnity e
judicial proceedings. There win be none
of the confusion incident to the trans
action of business In the old court
ROOM and above ALL the judges will b6
left free to attend to the business before them,
without the constant interference OF members
fayors, although at the expense OF interrupting
the trial of cases. Another improvement will
he the location of the witness stand. The wit
ness will be in sight of every one in the court
room, and will be close to the jurors who are
Obliged to hear his testimony Mr.. Colladay
fine contractor, is giving the finishing touches
fo tbe building, and in few days will com
meuce placing the furniture in the room
Already cocoa mating has been placed in tn,
Grand Jury and District Attorneys rooms, anC
INT little remains to be done to enable thu
iudpe TO hold court in the new structure.
A,r,,V1 ASSOCIATION OF CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL