The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-09-16

THE City HALL PRONOUNCED UNSAFE AND
UNFIT FOR UsE.-The following is the full
text Of the report of the Council Commit
tee on Public Grounds and Buildings. in
which 1t Is set forth that the building Is un-
safe, and liable to tumble down almost any
fine day:
R1cHXoND, September 2, 1870.
I" To the President and Common Council of
the City Of Richmond:
"Gentlemen,-Your committee have for
some time had In consideration the dilapi-
dated and failing condition of the City
Hall, to which our attention has been
drawn by the City Engineer. Until the
tie-rods were lately introduced, securing
the eastern and western walls from further
DETECTION, the state Of the building was
really perilous, as these walls carried the
main roof timbers, from which they had
nearly drawn. The facings of the founda-
tion, the dressings and cornice are con-
structed Of sandstone, now in a hopeless
state of .disintegration. From unequal
settling, the eastern and southern walls
show large cracks from cornice to founda-
tion. These are not esteemed dangerous
for the moment, but as serious impedi-
ments to repair. There is scarcely floor
in the second story of the building that
has not sagged and become unsafe for
crowd. The interior disposition of the
offices fails in accommodation, and the fire.
proofs in the Office of the Auditor and En-.
gineer, containing papers the loss of which
would be irreparable, are mere delusions.
Several Of the upper offices should be on
the ground floor (where there is now no
room, accessible to those unequal to the
task Of climbing q long flight of stairs.
"The hustings courtroom Is unsuited
for fo hofn haH inhf fo1
lated, while the chancery court occupies a
room conjointly with the City Sergeant, to
the discomfort of both.
"To make repairs or alterations in the
building, now so discreditably shabby,
would, in the opinion of your committee,
be an idle expenditure, as failure and decay
have sapped its vitality beyond Iecupera-
ton. Your committee must declare either
in favor of new building, or such modifi-
cation in the one now existing as will meet
the wants of the city. The cost of building
in Richmond now is nearly fifty per cent.
less than in Baltimore and farther North,
and certainly less than it will probably be
again. If it should be found necessary to
extend the area to be covered by the build
ing, it could be advantageously done now,
while real estate Is low. Would not these
considerations justify the issuance and sale
Of bonds, redeemable years hence, even at
the depreciation which might attend them
"Your committee, in view of the sug-
gcstion to move the hustings and chancery
courts, or the city offices, to the Davis
house, or some other building now exist
ing, find that it would be attended with a
considerable outlay in notifications and in
constructing tire-proofs for the court re-
cords, besides, in the case OF the Davis
house, not securing sufficient area for the
court-rooms and offices upon the first floor
of the building; while to carry the, city
Offices there must involve radical and ex.
pensive interior changes, the erection OF
four or five expensive fire-proots, and a
further and manifest objection-the retiring
OF these offices from the central position
they now occupy.
i"In conclusion, your committee must
express a natural hesitation in advising
what action should be taken, assured that
the decision Of your body will meet all re-
uuirements. JAMES E. RIDDICK,
"Chairman of Committee
"on Public Grounds and Buildings"