The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-11-18


but to be stated to commend substantial aid,
and when 1t is, in addition, urged by eloquent
AMI intelligent speakers its pecuniary success
Is assured.
Report of the Supervising Archl-
tect Of the Treasury Departments.
A. B. Mullott, supervising architect Of the
Treasury, has submitted his report on the con-
dition Of tho public bcildings under his super
vision, for the year ending September 80, 1868.
Tho business Of his ofl,o he, steadily in
creased, and Is now greater than at any time
since its organization. The commencement of
new buildings, the preparation Of pians for
buildings projected or now In course Of erso.
ton, tho repairing Of those already eonplsted,
and the supervision Of the large amount Of
roal estate owned by the Department, have
involved Q large amount Of labor The report
mentions that among the causes Of embarrass.
msnt in the completion Of many buildings in
course Of erection Is the eight hour system"
on Government work, which the supervising
architect condemns strongly, and which he
states has greatly increased the cost and re-
tarded the progress Of buildings under the
charge Of his office.
He recommends that instead Of wasting
money in repairs after every earthquake, that
. suitable building be erected on Rincon
Point, San francisco, on tho site Of the
present United States Marine Hospital, which
was abandoned for hospital purposes previous
TO the recent earthquake, that being, In his
opinion, about the future centre Of the city.
lie recommends that q sufficient portion of
the Battery Of New York be purchased as .
site for appraisers stores, and ultimately
new custom. house, the present building being
overcrowded, and the increase Of business
making additional room indispensable, appli-
cations for which being constantly received
and necessarily refused BY the department. on
| account OF lack OF space. He calls atten-
| ton to the custom house in New Orleans,
and urges a decision 10 regard to the IN
slightly and half finished mass Of masonry. lie
calls attention to the difficulties Of indiscrimi
nate bidding for Government contracts, and
recommends that some restrictions be placed
upon II. Under the present plan the most
worthless and incompetent bidder has the
right to insist upon the acceptance OF his pro-
possl even though the department may be con
ddent 1t cannot be enforced, all efforts to col
leot damage for q breach Of contract have
heretofore failed.
Mr.. Mullstt closes his report by reference to
matters Of peculiar local interest as fol-
lows:
In my last report I urged tho condem.
nation Of q strip Of land sixty-one feet wide
on the east ride Of Fifteenth street, bet ween
New York and Pennsylvania avenues, and the
removal Of the street corresponding dis
tanee from the Treasury building. I desire
TO renew my recommendation, and say that
believe that the adoption Of this plan is in.
dispensable to the proper completion Of
the building, and as each year adds to the
value Of the property and improvements
thereon, would strongly urge that immedi-
ate steps be taken to secure It. In this con-
nection desire to remark that, in my
opinion. the extension Of the Treasury build
ing at its pressnt level was an error, though I
cannot too highly praise the design for which
the country In indebted to Thomas U. Walter,
esq whose knowledge Of classic architecture
is probably unsurpassed by any living arcbi-
tect.
Unfortunately other parties were entrusted
with the execution Of his design. The old
building should have been raised to q proper
grade, (Which was entirely practicable at that
time, or building according to Mr.. Wal
tori design commenced nearer the Executive
Mansion, which would probably have been
the cheapest aud most satisfactory arrange.
ment, and would have avoided the present
necessity for changing tho line Of Fifteenth
street, and lowering Its grade and that Of
Pennsylyania avenue on the north, from Sew.
| enteenth to Fifteenth street, which, In con
| nection with the condemnation OF this strip
Of land, / desire to recommend. A careful
survey has been made, and no practical oil
serious difficulty exists to prevent. the adop
tion Of this plan.
GENERAL dRANr.-General Grant and wife
yesterday morning paid 4 visit to Captain
Rodgers at his residence on Long Island
where they spent the forenoon. Capt. Rod
gers is an old friend Of the Generals, and
formerly resided 10 Gslena, Illinois. Re.
turning to the Metropolitan Hotel at an early
hour In the afternoon, the General found
several Of the late members Of his staff and
some Of his intimate friends, with whom he
rode To Jerome Park. After witnessing some
fast trotting BY some Of the best horses in the
country, he again returned to tho city In
the evening, Judge Pierrspout entertained
the General and Mrs Grant, and q number oil
his personal friends, at dinner, at his resi-
dence, on Fifth avenue. He returned to the
hotel about 10 o'clock. A great many visit
ors paid their respects during tho day, most
of whom were received by Gen. Dent. Thil
evening, Gen. Grant will attend the Eyarti
banquet at the Aston House. -Nsw York Tri
bHHe, l7M.
Masonic PRocEEDIs0s.-Ths regular an
nual conyocStion Of tho Grand Royal Arch
Chapter of Ancient Free and Accepted MaIonl
Of the State Of Maryland and the District O
Columbia, took place on Monday night al
the new Masonic Temple, Baltimore. Tn,
following officers were elected to serve duripl
the ensuing year: DR.. Chas. II. Ohr, Of Allie
ghany county, Grand high Priest Jane
LOgue, Of Baltimore, Deputy Grand Higl
Priest Edward I, Schultz. Of Baltimore
Grand King W. II. Faulkner, of tho Dlstric
Of Columbia, Grand Scribe; Frederick Ficksy
Of Baltimore, Grand Treasurer; WIN.
Wontr, of Baltimore, Grand Secretary job
A. hhbsrg' of Baltimore, Captain o. tn
The annual communication Of tho Gran,
Lodge Of Ancient FREQ and Accepted Mason
Of Maryland was held on Monday eyeninu a
the Masonic Temple, Baltimore. After III
transaction Of business, an adjournment wa
had until last evening, when the election o