New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-02-28
Architectural CHEESE-PARLNGS

The last phase of the business of getting q
Post Office building for our INTELLECTUALLY be-
deviled city is quite worthy OF the phases that
have preceded it. 1t seems that out OF the
ffty-two plans sent in to the Commissioners
last Summer, not one was considered good
enough to take the first prize, and, therefore,
no first prize was awarded; but the money ap-
prOpriated for premiums was distributed among
the fifteen candidates whose designs were con-
sidered the most tOlerable and the least to be
endured. The distribution was made in a way
that would have delighted DOgberry. The Com
mittee found that the best designs of these
fifteen were only third-rate, and that, turn them
which side up they would, there were only i've
worthy of even that left-handed compliment.
The remaining ten were therefore let down as
gently as might be with various derogatory
sums, small by degrees and miserably less,
until the money was all used up. The thirty
seven designs that were left were quietly
taken away by the mortified and
disappointed persons who had sent them III,
and the fifteen professional men whose sense
of the dignity of their calling, to say nothing OF
their personal self-respect had not prevented
them from taking money that was especially
awarded to them for comparative Incompetence
having submitted with meeBness to the blow
on the right cheek, awaited with equal meek
ness the blow on the left
That blow has now been given, and we hope
the fifteen gentlemen are satisfied. We are
clad to know that, of the architects of the
country who have made the profession re-
spectacle, not a single man was among the
competitors on this occasion, and therefore the
profession itself cannot be considered as in
suited in the persons of these individuals.
Yet, if they have any sense OF shame left after
reading it publicly announced in the newspapers
that the best of their designs were counted
only third-rate we should suppose II
might have come to their aid when the next
decision was arrived at-that even of these
third rate designs there was not one that the
Committee could feel itself justified IN prODOs-
ing to the Government. But no; so eager
were these persons for a job that they were
not TO be baked even 10y this. When the
Committee requested them to take their fifteen
plans and boil them down TO one that would
pass muster, they accepted the task with aac-
rity, and have performed it, as we read, to the
satisfaction Of the Committee, who have gone
on to Washington for the purpose of asking
Congress for money To build tho thing OF
shreds and patches.
We find it very difficult to express ourselves
with patience on this subject. We are indig-
nant both for the architectural profession and
for the public. We think it a deep discredit
to the men who are upon this Committee that
they have taken no proper measure TO
secure the services of the skillful, experienced
architects in our city for a building Of such
Al XNrlr
is true that they made a sort of indirect APP
peal to the architects for advice and counsel,
but they very soon made it evident that they
had no intention TO follow the advice when
they got it. Beside, the request was addressed
to nobody in particular and when the lnsti-
tute of Architects, feeling that the interests OF
the profession were involved in the choice OF
good design, and taking no notice of the In
formalty of the Committees action, proceeded
TO give them the best advice in their power,
even calling special meeting to consider the
subject the Committee treated them, or tried
10 treat them with contempt, and took no
more notice of their .adyice than If 1t had
never been given. Yet the communication adj
dressed by the Institute of Architects to the
Committee contained q simple, well-studied,
comprehensive and perfectly feasible plan for
the management of public competition like
the one in question: plan that, If 1t had been
carried out fairly, and in the spirit Of those
who proposed it, would have given us, If not
perfect building, at least the best that could
have been looked for in the present state Of
architecture in this country. The action of the
Institute of Architects was an honest public
spirited, intelligent effort on the part of body
of Guilty ated professionally gentleman to save
at least one of the public buildings in our
city from the hands of dishonest and ignorant
men, and it met just the fate that might have
been looked for in New-Yo with that particu-
lar committee, and with Mr.. John T. Hoffman
in the chair.
But if the architects have been ill-treated,
the public has been much worse treated. The
architects find private employment that gives
their talent room to play,i and that brings its
proper satisfaction. But the public that is
taxed in mOnstfous sums for the erection of
these buildings gets nothing for its money but
pain and modification, in so far as it is sensi-
tive and intelligent, and denial of all oppOr-
tunity to educate its taste TO enjoy the teach
ing that comes from noble OF beautiful build
ing, so far as it is ignorant. Every costly,
unmeaning, pretentous structure like the new
Court House, or The Herald building, or the
new Park Bank by the side of which even the
Herald thing seems respectable, or Stewards
house, or his uptown store, which, when fin
shed, will look like an ili-mado hOop-skirt--
every one of these buildings puts back the
day of honest and respectable, to say nothing
of beautiful, building. for years, debauches the
public taste, and diScourages young students
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