The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-03-23
TIE OLD PoSToFFICE.

/
There is no landmark in Charleston so time
honored, SO rich in revolutionary associations, 30
identified with century Of events as the build
ing which stands at the foot Of Broad street, on
the Bay. Rude and ragged it is now; mutiiated
by the shells OF General Gilmore; SCARED by time;
Nth lchen growing from It's assuresr and ruin
written everywhere upon Its venerable 'front.' In
deed, it has become the kingdom Of the bill
sticker, and huge letters and startling adjecttVes
descriptive OF the exaggerated and impossible,
| have hidden the slightly proportions that were
| wont to look down upon the busiest locality IN
Charleston. But, thanks be to the spirit Of tae
age, change is soon to occur; and the old wreck
will be made once more to assume its shapely
beauty OF the past.
For many, MANY months, it has been the aim
of our business men, who mostly do congregate
In the downtown marts, to secure tile removal
OF the city Postofice to Its former quarters. Peti
tions and political influence have been exerted,
and at last Congress yielded to the demand and
allowed an appropriation Of $2o 900 -tobe applied
In putting the old pile tn C condition OF repair.
The amount may not be SUFFICIENT, but 1t Will at
least enable the architect and contractor to re.
establish, on its former site an institution that
has been pilgrim since the stormy times OF 1858.
The announcement will be received with satls-
faction by the entire business community, for q
postoflce always gives vitality to the neignbor-
hood In which 1t ls located, and certainly there is
no spot In our city which, by nature and art, is
better adapted for the purpose than that which is
already historic. Mr.. W. B. Hoyt, who Is charged
with the duty Of taking the preliminary steps,
Will commence his labors within a fortnight, aHd,
before the busy season OF autumn Is upon u.s. we
hope to hear Broad street resonant with the
music of the United States mail. 1t will be some
thing gained likewise, when the genial face of
Postmaster Trott beams from his office windows
SHOWN town." and his happy smile lights up the
now dreary surroundings Of the "Old Exchange"
The changes to be made have not yet been de-
termined upon. The plans are daily expected
from Washington, and on their arrival Will be
submitted to Mr.. Trott for his approval, and that
he may suggest any alteration which will conduce
co the public convenience
At present nothing will be done with the upper
story. Only the lower floor will be the object Of
improvement, aud this will probably be divided
into one spacious apartment for the general de-
livery, and three smaller ones for the subordinate
purposes Of the Office. At first it was thought ad-
visable to make new entrance on the north end,
but 1t appears that there is some dispute whether
the city or the general government own the prop.
erty and the contractor, Mr.. Hoyt, will therefore
retain the main entrance In its present position,
but materially change its character. by removing
the present steps and making broad opening.
with three stalrways Of ten or twelve granite
steps, commencing nush With the face OF the
building. There will also be private entrance to
the office OF the postmaster on the south side Of
the building the office aforesaid being the first on
the right as one enters the main doorway.
The dimensions OF the door are about ninety y-fve
by 81 feet, which properly divided will AFFORD am.
pie room for the accommodation OF the public.
The ladies' will have q private delivery in some
suitable place, which has not y ct been selected.
As was stated above, however, the working plans
have not yet arrived. and until they do, neither
Mr.. Trott nor Mr.. Hoyt, the contractor, can take
action Id the matter. The latter Is at present
clearing away the rubbish which has been accu-
mulatlng for several years. and 1t may be ten days
before he IL ready to proceed with the work. he
believes that it will be completed within ninety
days.
We hope that this Improvement is only the pre-.
cursor Of others, and that within ayear we shall
find the ed,nce a theatre OF commercial activity
and successful enterprise just as e was In Eye
olden time.''