Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-10-10
THE HOUSE THAT JOB BUILT.
OR DIDN'T BUILD.
THE MARKET-HOUsE PROJECT
Its Rise, Progress, and Present Status.
The Why of the Whoa p'

=
The Why of the "Whoa!''
A True, Candid. Veritable and Impartial
History of the Whole Transaction.
Among the city's Great Expectations OF last
session was the Werld's Fair, a new pavement
for its main street, and last but not least
new Msrket-house, which, according to the
paper plans, should surpass all other market
houses in stateliness and splendor and should
in its colossal proportions furnish accommoda-
tons for the ms-ket-men, on the ground floor,
and for mEnicipal offices, Police Courts &c, and
a trst-clsss Hotel above.
The Great Exposition project fell through in
consequence OF Congressional indifference to
the promising bantling; it remains to be seen
whether Job Angus will allow the pavement to
be laid; and we hardly need say thatthe palatial
new Market-hOuse does not yet bless the eyes Of
the public.
THE HISTORY OF THE PROJECT.
Certain parties, it will be remembered, have
have had up a market-house bill for the last two
or three sessions. There was a great deal OF
talk over the project, and some work done to
get charter, but the bill at each session got
into limbo in one house or the other, and went
over. Last year the projectors arranged new
deal. 1t was found that q large proportion of
the original incorporstors were either non-resi-
dents or were parties who did not strengthen
the bill, and it was concluded to drop them and
incorporate a new element composed of promi-
nent business men, svndry local politicians, aud
some others supposed to have interest with
members of Congress. Under these auspices
the bill was got through. though it met with
considerable opposition from the msrket-men,
who feared it would Interfere with some Of their
DriyiIepes. from the DeiphbO
who did not like the feature OF big rival hotel
in the proposed structure; and from the Bowen
ties, out 4 pure cussedness.
The formidable character of the opposition
made to the project by parties interested, is
shown by the fact that several prominent law
yers. amongst them A. 6. Riddle, were secured
TO labor for Its defeat. The market men went
up in body, with theiS lawyers, their plans,
show why the bill should not pass. They want
ed building simply adapted for market pur-
poses. and Mr.. George Oyster, leading deal
er, went to the trouble OF getting drawings
prepared for a structure on the styie of the
Paris markets; really very handsome and suit
able plan for market building, but having the
fault Of being rather ''sluatty' for its length,
and for building designed 20 figure on q street
the width OF Pennsylvania avenue. The great
card for the market cOmpauys bill was, in
tact, the superb Cluss plan, which pre-
sented building, by its size. beauty OF
design and stately proportions that appealed
to the taste and judgment of every member OF
Congress a. calculated to prove a magnificent
feature OF Pennsylvania avenue. Everywhere
that the ClUss picture of the new market house
appeared IL won friends for the project. But
contestants did not rely upon plans in fighting
the great battle. Everywhere the conflict
ragged, on the street, in the lebbies, the com
mlttee rooms. and on the floor. Certain effer-
vescent partisans of the hostile forces were ever
on the red-hot 60. Passing through the Congress
halls at tie crisis of the conflict it was the CON
monest of sights to see .Job Angus, pro, or George
Seitz, con, shoot past with a rOcketlike fzz car
IN iva hair frac ~;
reople right and leftw the IT ere wind of their
astonishing momentum.
The bin passed, but its adversaries mana .ed
to load 1t down with number of amendments.
By which the value OF the franchise was whitfield
down to pretty small point.
WHAT TO DO WITH 1T.
The charter being obtained, the question
next in order was what to do with it. The op-
ponents of the enterprise did not hesitate TO
boast that they had crippled it beyond all posi-
bility of being carried out by loading it down
with onerous provisions. They alleged, more
over, that a structure of the size and cost could
not be made to pay; in any event, that there
was 'nO money in it," and that, in short, the cor
perators had got the biggest kind of all elephant
on their hands.
In examining the status Of the corporaters,
1t would seem that there were two classes
those who went in purely OH the make" AMI
those who, while believing that the undertaking
might be made to pay fair interest on the iu- .
yestment. were actuated mainly by the desire
Improvement.
To the latter class 1t was not disbursement
that the franchise was not a particularly fat
hing; and they took hold of the enterprise da-
termined to give their best efforts to push il
through, despite all its loads and drawback
with the view, as above stated, Of effecting the
abatement OF a great public nuisance, and its
replacement by grand public improvement.
JOB.
AS already indicated, MI. Job Angus seemed
to act as chief engineer of the measure, and it
a ho trih uta1 lie n L - f,rc
10 such an extent as to materially embarrass
the enterprise wher it came to be organized
ORGANIZATION EFFECTED.
After considerable delay, at the instance OF
some prominent legal gentlemen who were in
the incorporation, proposition was made by
Mr.. Carlos Pierce, OF Boston, and some of his
associates, to take part in the enterprise and
build the market house; the Boston parties Sc
curing majority of the stock tor themselves
and retaining the control of the affair. This
was acceded to after considerable opposition,
the argument advanced in favor OF this arrange
ment being the advantage of bringing in foreign
capital IN developing the enterprise, "a the de.
mands uron the capital of the District were al
ready very great 1t was also argued that the
introduction of new ideas from the Hub in
age 10 the city
The organization of the company was effected
by the election OF Messrs. Henry ID. Cooke, A
X. Shepherd, nj. G. Emery and Moses Kelly di-
rectois on the part of Washington, and Messrs.
SdIcs IeTCe, e. ~ Tinker, L. "A. HllQreth, IL.
Van Aerman, :. Il. Suit, w. +. Chandler, B. ID.
Whitney, Caleb Gushing and A. M. Tinker di-
rectOrs on the part of the Northern interests.
BREAKERS AHEAD.
Scarcely had the organization been effected
when the opponents of the enterprise, promi-
nent amongst whom were ex-Mayors Bowen and
Wallach, (ab0ut the only time they ever agreed
on any one subject,) procured the passage OF a
resolution by the House of Representatives au-
thorizing ali investigation into the affairs of the
company. This, II will be confessed, was an in
auspicious beginning for the new organization.
The Boston people began to show an indisposi-
tion to invest a large amount or money in an eu-
terprise placed at the mercy OF either house of
Congress, and liable to continual embarrass
ment from the efforts Of its enemies having in
fuence with Congress.
Several meetings were held but no results
arrived at After the adjournment of Congress.
MIR. Cooke and the other Washington directors
labOredstrenuously to get the undertaking out of
the chill that had befallen 1t. After protracted
effort in overcoming difficulties and vaaauish-
ing lions In the way, they succeeded In getting
anairs into shape promising a speedy com
Dence ment OF the Improvement, and Q meetivg
Was hrally agreed upon to be held in Boston to
block q rho Uoal