The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-11

the Proposed Change Of Sito-NOthins Dono
and Nothing Likely to BE D0ne--AdjOurn-
mont Till Friday Next.
An adjourned meeting Of the joint committee OF the
Common Council on the new Post once site, with
the officers representing the general government.
was held yesterday afternoon In the chamber Of the
Board Of Aldermen.
There were present Aldermen Ward tchairman,,
McGrath and Moore, and Assistant Aldermen Robin
son and WEIGH; Mr.. A. B. Muett, Supervising Archi-
tecr Of the Treasury Department, Frederick A. Conk
ling, late member OF the now dissolved commits
sion on the proposed change OF site, Alderman
Cushman and few other gentlemen IN non.otical
capacities.
The meeting was called for one O'CLOCK but 1t was
nearly two O'Clock before five out Of the six men,
bers of the committee together and the utmost
amount OF dtsinterestedness was apparent on their
part. Assistant Alderman b. Rely did not "turn
up" at all.
The meeting was called to order BY the chairman,
who invited an exchange Of Views upon the subject
under consideration.
Mr.. MULLETT arose and addressed the committee
stating in substance that there appearing to be no
one bnt himself present representing the general
government he wished to say that the original sug.
gestiOn for transfer OF site came from Mayor Hail.
ana, so far as tine speaker was aware was made In
York and the p0stmasters Of Philadelphia and Bos-
ton. He (the speaker deemed the suggestion highly
practical as well as advantageous both to the gov.
eminent and to the ctty-t0 the government because
it would enable them to erect better shaped and
comparatively less costly edifice, so far related
to the amount Of space TO be enclosed. It was ev-
dent thar triangular building requires much
building, while the latter would be hands0mer aud
more cOmmodi0us. For these reasons ne was ex-
tremely anxious to make the exchange. on the
other hand It seemed to him that the city would be
anxious that lasting work OF this description
should not be devoid Of beauty. The Mayor assured
MIN that II the necessary authority could be obtained
the transfer could be made, upon which he reported
to the Secretary OF the Treasury The Secretary was
pleased with the idea laid 1t before the members OF
CongI ess from New York, and stated that according
to his views authority was given in the Appropria.
1R on t Ss Sane OF site The Ro
city desires change Of Site they have been and are
now Winng TO- make It, II the CITY felt ndiaeren.
was willing to have the work 90 on the govern
ment was content and prepared to 20 on
sion on change OF site were never authorized
to negotiate but merely TO receive propositions ana
TspSrs t1e same 10 e OF the
pect OF efecting transfer, and further that any
further negotiations at present would involve
was not only inc0nvenien and insufficient in accom-
mediation, but also very dangerous from its liability
were issued to proceed with the work, and he was
now instructed to receive propositions and lay them
before the postmaster General and the Secretary Of
the Treasury for further action.
Assistant Alderman ROBINSON said that thus far
there had been no effort on the part Of the authori
ties at Washington to make the exchange with this
city. No Official request had been made and the
other day their representatives did not appear here
at all. although the meeting had been regularly an
nOunced. In any event It was no more than fair
that II the government wished to exchange the site
for better one, the Common Council should be al.
osed ss Ss; al persons a HSr
Ing r 0Rpos nsg pa ss e
other site nearer the City Hall in the City Hall Park
Ss invited 70 attend nd meeting Of the Common coun
oa e S xsSsa u SoassE %
Ject. The government was now satisfied with the
present site so far that they are perfectly willing to
60 on with the work and build on It; but this action
Difference TO- the suggestion Of Mayor Hail. No over
lures had been made BY the government, but
citizens desired the exchange The Secretary Of The
Treasury did not desire any change unless the in.
yer serestS Of the Guy Of New YORK might require IT, and
views Of the citizens on the subject if conducive to
Alderman ROBINSON said that there was an or.
r0ne0us impression existing also about the matter
on the other side, ipasmuch as the statement had
Council was not In favor of the exchange. This was
not correct The only thing was that II the city Of
New York almost gives away piece OF property It
were giving Il.
Some further informal discussion ensued, In the
course OF which Alderman Robinson said that SO far
as he was personally concerned he was In favor OF
sending tue Post once up to Union square, II any
exchange were TO be made.
FREDERICK A. CONKLIN6 next rose and said that
at the Instance Of Mayor Hail. during the first session
OF the present Congress, he took lively Interest In
procuring the passage OF joint resolution which
was signed by the President authorizing the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury to effect this exchange II deslr.
able: the proposition or Mayor Hail met Mr..
Conklings entire concurrence, and, knowing
the difficulties In the way OF erecting TRAN.
guar building, ne thought 1t desirable to
have building nearer the Gay Hall and New Court
House, conforming to their front lines and paral-
telegram In form. So'much time had now been
lost however. that he thought that all that could be
affected would be to make the north line OF the pro-
posed new building parallel with the 'front.' OF the
CITY Hail. He thought II would be lasting aud
burning shame o reproach to the taste OF our city
and It's Indifference to uniformity the present line
were allowed to be carried out.
AZ the close OF Mr.. Conking's remarks the com.
mlttee adjourned In conformity with Alderman Rob-
ins0ns resolution.
Progress Of the Work.
Yesterday large part Of the fountain basin In
the Park was removed, preparatory to excavation
for the foundation and the enclosing fence was