Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-05-28
sUPERVISlNG AHCHITElV NAL.
LETT.
The NASHVILLE. Ca.tomhouse nrair

The Nashville CuAIOmhouse again.
A. b. Mullett, the Government Super
vising Architect, who has been expected
here for some time, reached the city yes
terday morning on the Nashville and Chat
tanooea train, with instructions from the
State Department TO look into the proposed
new Cnstomhouse at this place and report
st Washington Ga arriving, he foRnd two
of the Commissioners, Major Hopkins and
Collector Peabody absent. The. former
reached home in the evening in time to
participate in the consultation upon the
subject. During the earlier part Of the day
MIR. Mullett, in company with NJ. Wolfe,
the third Commissioner, visited and ID
spected all the sites embraced in the recent
proposals" He then visited the Mayor
and arranged for a conference with him
and the Finance Committee OF, the part of
| the City Council, in conjunction with the
| Commissioners at 8 O'Clock in the after
noon. AT the appointed hour the confer
ence was had in the Mayors Office, Major
4 Hopkins having arrived in the mean time.
The committee on the part of the Coun-
| Gil submitted the proposition offering
1 part of the Public Square property for the
4 Custom House. Though no definite action
was had, we infer from Mr.. Mdllet's re-
marks that no proposition looking 10 the
erection of the Custom House on the
Square would be entertained unless as a
condition precedent all markets, auctions,
etc. were sbrogated. We think that it may
be safely said that there is little prospect
of the building being placed on the Square.
He expressed decided preference for the
st. Cloud corner or the circus lot in front
| of the New Theater if either could be oh.
tanned
He also said that an almost insuperable
| objection would exist to any lot assloping
| along the street on which the building
would front. This, notwithstanding the
location, would place the old Postoffice
| corner out of the ring, as We infer, even il
il could be procured. Again, decided OBJ,
iections were urged to lots that were roll.
ing. and that would necessitate leveline
and grading, giving an unattractive ap
pearance in the building. This placed the
Stone lot on the second grade list and We
Judge there is no prospect in that quarter.
Objections were urged of various acharac-
tiers, which will operate against the selection
of several Of the proposed lots. 1t is de
sired. as we understand from the architect
that the building be 120 feet long and 6,
feet wide, with streetways of at least 40 fee
all around it, and that 1t be substantial!
, constructed of the very best material. Th,
conference with the Mayor, the committe
} and the Commissioners was quite free
lengthy, frank and candid, and was partici
pated in generally by those present. Mr.
Mullett.w not, as be is, we presume, no
authorized to do, make public the decision
Cif, really, he has himself determined upol
: any) as to where the Customhouse will b
located As the Department is not author
lied to accept any proposal beyond an eve
exchange for the present Government LOT
: or one that can be bought with its proceeds
: the site Of the building may not be as cen
g trally located as many would desire. MI
!. Muliett states with much positiveness ths
IS there Is location embraced in the propo
l. sails that will be acceptable to the Govern
II ment; and he also states with positivenes
that the building will be put under cor
tract early this fall, and that it will be
more extensive and elegant building tina
was at first anticipated.
He leaves for Washington on the afte
noon train to-day, and will Immediate
- in his annual report to the Department
when the exact location of the bQildin
will be known. Mr.. n, made a vel
= favorable impression on our officials an
citizens yesterday and we have no dout
but that he will be aetuated by considers
tions looking TO the best interests of Il
city and the department he represents.