The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-16
CITY INrELLIGENC E.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

Philadelphia 20 Get What She has go Long
Needed Governor s,sarv Adixes His sigma
ture 60 the Bni Bcavins the Question OF the
site to the Citizens-The Provisions of the
The following is the text OF the act OF Assembly
passed last winter at Harrisburg, and to which the
Governor appended his signature the 9TH inst,
a knowledge OF which nas Just reached this city,
creating Commission for the Erection OF Public
Buildings in the city OF Philadelphia
''That Theodore Cuyler, John Rice, Samuel G.
Perkins, J. p. wetheril Lewis &. Cassidy William
Divine, Henry M Phillips, William ;. Stokley the
Mayor and Presidents OF City Councils for the time
being, are constituted commissioners for the erec-
ton OF Public Buildings required 10 accommodate
the courts and for ell municipal purposes I'm Pha-
delphia They shall organize within thirty days,
procure such plans for the said buildings
named, appointing from their own number
president, treasurer, and solicitor; Also COM
petent architect and assistants and other
ployes, and TO do all other acts necessary 10
carry ont the intent OF this act relation TO said
uubic buildings al any vacancies which may hap
pen by death, resignation, or otherwise, and they
may increase said commission from time 70 time 20
any number not exceeding thirteen. Said commits
soners are authorized and directed TO locate said
buildings on either Washington Square or Penn
Square, may be determined by vote Of the
legally qualified voters OF Philadelphia at the gene
fal election in october next.
Gas soon as the choice is determined by the vote of
the peopie, the said commissioners shall, within
thirty days thereafter, advertise for proposals.
make contracts for the construction OF said build
ings as sooTthereater as NAV be found practicable
which contracts shall be valid and binding in law
upon the city and up0n the contractors when ap-
proved by said COMMISSIONER, ana the commission
ers shall mate requiston on Councils prior to the
first day of december ia each year for tue amount
of meney required for the purposes nf the comms-
soners Councils shall levy special tax sufficient
to raise the amount required: Provided,
that Councils may az any time ap.
Of the purposes of this act and upon the completion
and furnit hing OF sufficient portion OF said build
iDgs to accommodate the courts and municipal
Offices the buildings now occupied by them respec-
lively shall be vacated and removed; and upon the
entire completion of the new buildings, all the pre-
,s1,li,,c Ip1ap
dependence Hall, shall be removed, and the ground
placed in good condition by said commission; and
thereupon the said Independence Square shall be
and remain public walk and green forever.
"In the event of Washington Square being
selected by the majority of voters the location for
said public buildings, then the Councils OF Phladel-
phia are empowered and required to set apart on
such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon
between Councils and the Franklin Institute, Acade-
my of Fine Arts Academy of Natural Sciences, aud
the Philadelphia Library to convey by proper deeds
or to said institutions the right to occupy
the Penn Squares. one to each of the aboyenamed
institutions, for the purpose OF allowing them to
erect thereon ornamental and suitable buildings for
their respective institutions.
ain the eveEt of the ultimate selection Of Penn
Squares the site for said public buildings the
commission are empowered TO vacate as much of
Market and Broad streets as they may deem need
full; provided however, that the streets passing
around said buildings shall not be Of less width than
100 feet 1t shall be the duty OF the Mayor, City
Controller City Commissioners, and City Treasurer,
and of all other officers OF the city, aRd also the
duty OF Councils to do and perform all such acts in
aid and promotion OF the intent and purpose OF this
act said commission may from time TO time re-
auire. All laws and parts Of laws restricting the
uses and purposes OF said squares, or any of them,
that may be In conflict with the intention and pur-
pose of this act, are repealed
This bill caused considerable excitement when
before the Legislature and several amendment
were attempted to be made One was striking out
the words on such terms and conditions as may be
agreed upon between Councils and the Franklin In
| sttute Academy of Fine Arts, Academy OF Natural
Sciences and the Philadelphia Library, which proved
| unsuccessful. Another samendment, allowing the
| commissioners to issue bonds instead OF Cooncs
! levying an annual tax passed the Senate, but on
being taken to the House was not cOncurred in. II
was then returned to the Senate, and under the ar
gument that this bill would secure TO Philadelphia
that which she has needed for so many years, the
| amendment Withdrawn and the bill was sent tc
| the Governor on April g. since which time she
| Executive has given 1t mis- consideration.