New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-02
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
REPORT OF A. B. MULLETT, SUPERVISING ARcHI.
TECT OF THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. 1.-The following
is taken report Of the Supervising Architect
b. Mulett to the Secretary Of the Treasury for the
year 1869:
COURTHOUSE AND PosT-oFFICE IN SEw-roRK.
The Enclosure of the lot which this building to be
located was commenced the 9th of August last; all
efforts TO effect exchange Of Site as provided for In
the Act approved March 1862 having failed The ex'
cavation was commenced the nth OF the same month";
and has been pressed forward rapidly was deemed OF
the utmost Importance that the retaining ana
walls should be completed at the earliest moment Rot
only on account Of the great risk necessarily ~
excavating far below the level OF Broadway IN Ded
OF sand but in order Inconvenience the CITY Of New
York little possible by continued occupancy Oh the
and considerable portion OF the park has been kindly
granted by the city authorities, 10 WhOm use 10 ca
MY a tSs aSo ana and To the Hon. Geo. Nc
Lean VIM. NJ Tweed Street Commissioners, Tor these
IL was therefore determined continue the work night
and day, by Of relays Of hands. THIS has been
accomplished at a very slight additional expense Dy
means OF calcium lights Contracts awarded after
due advertisement the lowest bidders for excavation
stone and The two former contracts nave Deen
cancelled for nonulhlment according 10 their terms
and purchases made In open market at more satisfactory
rates. The work is being performed by the day nnaSr
the immediate supervision of the Hon T. Z. HuDern,
whom am unable 70 praise .Sf a5d the Vnee he
has exercised in guarding the public interests ana VINO
agent, Gen. r. H. Jones, for whose eorda COOPERATION
and constant efforts TO promote the success OF the enter
my thanks cannot too strongly urge the Importance
Of granting sufficient appropriations TO inclose the build
ing during the coming season. which am satisfied can
be done the means are provided aud no un
forseen obstacles arise.
APPRAISERS sroREs-PHrLADELPHA.
tits much be regretted that sufficient amount was
not appropriated at the last Of Congress to
pete this building this season, which might easily have
been done, and the building now occupied the rent
saved, and income derived from the portion 70 De
devoted storage The exterior walls are finished ana
only require the roof TO have the building enrey IN
closed 1t is OF the finest warehouses IN the world
within my knowledge. II is greatly needed by the Gov
ernment and cannot too strongly urge the Importance
Of its early completion
BARGE OFFICE, NETWORK
The work this improvement has advanced very
slowly and under great disadvantage, not the least OF
which was lack of funds to enable the Department to
contract for entire sea wall this season The appro
pratOns have been reduced below the amount
necessary for its completion From the peculiar oeaton
of the work operations carried with great dill
Guilty. the work being under water has rendered its pro
gress slow. IL is hoped however IL viii be so Tar ad
9anced this season to prevent injury from ice and
snrng floods; otherwise considerable damage will prob
ably occur No appropriation has yet been made for the
erection Of a building, preparations for commencing
which might be made before the completion OF the walls
and at a great saving OF expense.
ts that immediate steps be taken for the erection OF
suitable hreproo structure for the use OF the ApRTaseF
present occupied though the best that can e Obtained
Is not well adapted for me n Te rpea Tbe rental
present paid is $685. to which sum IL has been IN
creased the date Of my last report from $4,000 per
annum, and wil probably be again Increased at tne ex
pratOn Of the present lease III any opinion can DC
creased from sS2OO in is6 to the sum at present paid it
is evident the present rental would In few years. repay
the cost OF suitable building IN which could De provided
facilities for the transaction OF public business that can
not obtained under the present system In TINS con-
fled than a portion OF the battery, and again urge the
Importance Of obtaining the whole or portion OF that
other Buildings connected with the Revenue Department
George W. Blunt esq, OF New-Iork CITY, has been
authorized by the Commissioners OF the Sinking Fund.- IN
whom vested the control of the property to NEGOTIATE
for its disposal TO the Government lie Informs me thas
thereto The present CustOmFOusei Is crowded 10 It's
utmost capacity and will in few years become entirely
Inadequate for transaction Of the customs business OF
the port OF NewYerk; indeed IL Is already So would
also suggest removal OF the Assay Office 10 the same
locality IL could be effected at comparatively small
expense The present building Is too sa the business
Is annually augnentng and 1t appears 20 nue. must eon'
nue to do so not only the Increase Of business in
cident to the growth OF the CITY OF Newlork but from
ton OF bullion from the mines The Assayer strongly
favors the change IN, ,,,,,
The present Custom. House and Assay Office buildings
are situated the most valuable property In Wast,
and could he sold for sum nearly sufficient to erect the
proposed buildings The revenue dock ct the Bat
terry advancing as rapidly as the limited appropriation
the disposal Of the Department will permit aud could
have been completed this had sufficient appro'
pratOn been made at the last session OF Congress III Is
to be built entirely OF granitc aud will. IL Is believed
prove cheaper IN the end han any temporary structure
and IL Is hoped il will be but the commencement OF per
maueut wlaryes and piers Tor the CITY OF NeW-1OTh.
IL the new Custom is erected the Battery SEQ
NO reason WY the rop%SSG Sc P e be vSg of
not less than $4,000
THE PosT-oTFICE AND TREASURY BUILDINGS AT BOSTON.
Work was commenced the excavation for the United
States Post Office and Treasury at Boston, Mass In May
last. Proposals for making the excavation and for
supply of sand and had previously been Invited
but no satisfactory offers could be obtained and contracts
made IN the open market at niue more favorable
Tie work has been done by day under the per
superyisOn Grdley j. +. Bryant, esq super
yIsing Architect and has been pushed forward as rapidly
the at his disposal and the nature OF e WORK
permtteu Unusual difficulties have been encountered
but the foundations finished, and 10 Is believed the
entire basement story will be completed TINS season. Inc
contracts for the supply OF all materials nave Den mace
al most geOus and the work performed at
satisfactory prices. 1t is however believed these can
and WILL reduced the snpersructure arrangements
having been made that Will greatly facilitate future
operations, and II sufficient appropriations are made.
The main courtroom OF the Courthouse at Boston mas
been improved and, new one constructed, which mas
added greatly the convenience VI the building. l Is
however unit for the purposes for which II used being
neither convenient nor nreproof The building Is no"
In very good sondltlou
THE COURTHOUSE AND PosT-OFFiCE AT PHILADELPHIA
As to the United states CourtIouse and Post Once at
Philadelphia Mr. Mullett says by Lite orders from the
Office Department six Of the subPostonice stations
have been consolidated with the mau Office rendering
necessary make changes aud an addition 10 the
building TO provide the accommodation required Ii Is
estimated that SO will be required for the purpose,
which amount strongly recommend u hc appropriated
N cannot refrain from again calling attention 10 the u
suitable character OF the Custun House al 81 ons MIS-
souri,. for Government purposes, aud would strOngy
urge the Importance OF taking immediate steps for the
erection Of a suitable building in eligible locality.
THE CINCINNATI CUsToM-HoUsE.
Idesire once more call attention the inadequate
size and general untness of the CustOmIouse building
at Cincinnati for the business of the Government The
accommodations for the Post Office and the United states
Courts could scarcely be more unsuitable. wou.u
pacy 70 the demands of the public service Some
improvements have been made IN the Post once OUTING