Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-06-28
LOCAL., NEWS.

Board of Atderne,-A larger number of
spectators than usual were present -,
The bill to authorize the sale of 1000 shares
Of the city's interest in the O., & a. T., r., for
the purpose of raising funds for the erection of
the new market building was called up.
Mr.. Markell moved that the bill pass-Adopt-
ed by the unanimous vote of the members
present. ........... ..a..,
The report of the committee recommending
the adoption of the plan presented by A. CluSs
for the construction OF Market House, was
read. ..-
MIR. French said that at the last meeting of
Council he had moved to postpone Immediate
action on this BILL because he had not time to
carefully investigate the merits of the two plans
laid before the committee. lie had thought it
incumbent on him as a member to do this, and
he had devoted good deal Of time and study
to the subject, and thought he could satisfy
Council that the report should not be adopted,
but should be recommitted with instructions to
add to the plan a number Of important addi-
tons. He reviewed the respective plans OF
Messrs Lambdin and Cluss at some length.
In the old Market House there were % butch
or stalls occupied-in the plan Of Mr.. {. there
we're 60. He thought it a bad plan to cut up
the whole market into butcher stalls that could
not be rented; thought it better to rearrange
the ground plan and put in stores, and suggest
ed that these last might be so arranged us to
be convertible into stalls in the future, II ne
cessary. p
Mr.. Cluss's plan provided double row OF
columns through the centre, and 10 eighteen
inch cross-walls These could be dispensed
with Mr.. Lambdin's plan was free from these.
His has only cross-walls, under the steeple
and under the Lodge Room. Cluss' plan
provided IS openings aud no windows. Lamb
din's plan had but IS openings and 10 windows
"a manifest advantage he thought, as no pro-
vision for closing the spaces winter was made
by Mr. c. Lambdins Council chamber was
larger, but the corridor leading to it less convc-
ncnt of the two; thought the corners might be
rounded off and this defect remedled. Lamb
din proposed three distinct fronts for the three
sides OF the market. Clu$Ss plan dup heated
one Of his fronts There WAS u proprlety OF
architectural design in the former case not
manifest in the latter Mr. Cluss had made
no arrangement for the Fairfax wing. Mr..
Lambdin had in this wing provided Tor Sta
ton House, but it did not harmonise we'll with
the rest of the design lie (Mr French) thought
it a bad arrangement that only 30 feet should
he allowed the Fairfax wing; it should be 4O
feet with the corridor in the centre
The question of the architectural design was
to some extent matter OF taste, but even here
he thought Lambdins plan the best, most APP
propriate in arrangement, IN finish. and III
character, and appearance. Apart from this
there was difference in the cost. Mr.. Cluss' S
plan, exclusive of the Masonic Lodge and the
steeple, was estimated at $50, 900. MIR. Lamb
din's whole estimate including stecple was but
$4,000 The latter had put the cost of the
Lodge Room at S300D; the former made 1t
cost $4,000.
Mr. Suttle-I ask the gentleman question.
Has the Council anything to do with the cost
of the Lodge Room? ...
1t was replied to by the chair that 1t was an
outside issue.
Mr. French resumed Here was difference
in favor of our Alexandria architect, in all, OF
$1,000 and yet the committee give it to MIR.
c.. and then there was the commission on the
building, not less an FIVE per cent on the en-
tire outlay.
MIR. Marbury-It the gentleman will allow
Inc will state that there is on the desk OF the
clerk letter from Mr. Cluss stating
that he will undertake the erection of the
entire building by the most responsible Alexan-
dria mechanics for $4l 900.
Mr.. Agnew-There is nothing to gain by
this delay. The subject has been already fully
discussed before the committee. There were
as good judges Of the matter then rs were pres
ent now, and the whole thing had had an I'M
partial investigations The two gentlemen pre-
senting their respective plans had come before
the committee, and all present were anxious to
give the award to our townsman, if possible,
but felt that with the merits of the case before
them that they could not Now that the award
was made by the committee and the report
presented, that competitors should come be-
fore members and closet themselves with them
and cndcayor to explain any defects, he thought
hardly just. Mr. Cluss had come before the
committee in good faith, and he thought that
Council had no power to modify now;
Mr.. French urged to recommlt. Gentlemen
talk about the uselessness Of agtating this sub
iect and vet here is q letter from Mr.. Cluss
making reduction on his estimate of $40, 900,
all the result of this very agitation and delay.
As to closeting with competitors, he knew
neither of them by sight until day or so ago.
The facts are that the first offer Of one man IS
at least $4,000 less than that Of. the other,
and that many people think this last the best
plan.
No arrangement had been made for the vege-
table market, the most important OF all. The
plans did not embrace any arrangement OF the
interior space This could and should be finish
ed first, and should be comprised in the plan.
Inc butcher SlulS TcIlb lUT Sl oVb,dilu VIC htSc
table stands for 1850, and these should, for
the public accommodation, be erected first;
Really the plan as proposed to be adopted
would make a building the rent Of which would
be but 81 500. The interior arrangement ought
to be the first part of:the plan. Sheds to cost
$4,000, covered with slate, ought to be erected,
and would rent for s., 900. No provision had
been made either for the fish benches
Mr.. Agncw-The plan provided for the fish
and vegetable stalls acithin. Personally he had
previously would have rather given it to our
townslian, but it was now question of honor
We had asked those gentlemen to come c; before
us and they had come in good faith tic
had no desire save to act justly and honoraby,
and would like to be permitted to vote his OWL
sentiments in this, the last meeting OF the pres
ent Council, 49,
Mr.. French had no idea Of compelling any
one to vote any other than bis own sentiments
90, Ia Spi \