Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-04-23

A Cry HALL.-One of the great wants of our
town. is spacious and commodous Hall adap-
ted for large public meetings and all kinds of
lectures and exhibitions It is also necessary to
accommodate the constantly increasing crowds
who at the close of each session, wish to witness
the final exercises of our admirable female
schools. The present Town Hall was built twen-
ty years ago, when our population was about
half as large as it is now, and when only one or
two of our fourishing schools had been estab-
lished. 1t was then ample to supply the wants
of our community. But since that time our city
has spread over our hills and its population has
doubled
There is now pressing necessity for hall
not less than 100 feet long by 60 feet wide. If it
were even larger it would be all the better. But
as these dimensions would give us Hall larger
than the principal room of the elegant new
Presbyterian Church, it would supply our pres
ent wants.
The want of such hall deprives our citizens
of many delightful and instructive exhibitions.
When the Berger BelI-ringers recently visited
Staunton, many of our citizens were prevented
from witnessing their charming performances
for want of adequate room. The cost of these
exhibitions too is enhanced by the lack of means
of accommodating spectators. Ii twice the
number of spectators could be seated, the tick
cts might be reduced in price one half, and still
yield as much to the performers.
Cannot the means be raised for erecting such
a hall We think they can. The Mechanics
Union incorporated at the last session of the
General Assembly, need such Hall. Why
should they not unite with the public and erect.
On joint-stock principles, such a building? Ii
the Hall were one hundred feet long by sixty
feet deep the lower story would furnish five
rooms, near 20 feet by 60, which would be adap-
ted to almost any kind of business. One OF
these rooms should be divided and applied to
the purposes of library and reading room, and
the others could be rented for almost enough to
pay six per cent Of the cost of the entire build
ing. The revenues from the Hall, added to
these rents, would furnish fund that would
yield good dividend to stockholders.
The partition walls between the stores, if care
fully and substantially built, not less than Is
inches thick, would furnish secure foundation
for the floor of the Hall, and be sufficient to sus-
tain the weight of any number of people who
might be crowded into it. There should be at
least two approaches to the Hall-one at each
end-by stairways, not less than from TO 10
Ic0I WiuS.
We presume that the entire cost of such a
building, including the ground. would not ex-
coed fifteen or sixteen thousand dollars. By in
yoking the cooperative principle, it to us,
this amount might be raised-one gentleman
might furnish the ground, and take, say one
half of its estimated value in stock, and so with
the carpenters, brick-masons lumber men, hard
ware merchants, and timers or skaters. If the
Mechanics Union were to add their fund, the
necessary supply of money would be forthcom-
ing, to pay for the labor and other expenses,
which must necessarily be paid in cash.
Ia view of the Importance Of this subject, we
respectfully and earnestly urge our fellow-citi-
zens to give to our suggestions careful censid-
Grafton. where there is will, snere is way"
and the past history of our town proves that
when our people 'set their minds and hearts
on doing anything, they are very apt to Ego
through" with it.