, 1873-05-03

right accrued unot sad act prior 10 tho t!mo tis c
taxes eHoct, nor any proceedings prosecutions tt
| enforce such rights Or penalties.
THE COURTHOUSE OF THE FUTURE.
10 The Editor n Tie Chicago Tribune:
SIN: A visit to "KontucAy Block" a1ld n careful
study Of tic novel plans thoro on exhibition,
suggested tho proprioty OF few modcat
words from ono who certainly Ia diBintorostod
oxcopt 30 far rs tho grandeur and beauty OF thia
city aro concerned. nm wholly unac1uaintod
with tho architects. =
Among tho largo number Of plans submitted,
thoro ero several which display no ordinary do
gree Of nrchitoctual skill. They nro worthy Of
rcnpoct for tlloir ingenuity and beauty. And, aa
o wholo. they ro1cct crodit upon tho city. Still,
1t must DO confessed tint but very fow OF these
plans perhaps only one-rises into tho high
and puro atmosphere Of ConiuB.
Many Of these plans indicate talent, and would
answor VOL for pnlacoH, or hospitals, or
churcl'cB, or mosques, or synagogues; . for
aquoduct8 or prisons, Masonic lodges or hotols.
But there should bo. ind il, an eternal ftnoas in
things. Wlat is wanted Ia The most suitable
building that can bo Ind for tho public
uscs Of G great city,-a Court House.
perfectly safe, durable, and convenient,
combining, moreover, a lofty idcnl, 1. standard
Of testo, that shall fill tho oye of oyory bohollor
with soneo Of something noblor, and grander,
and moro beautiful than he socs. Utility must
DO the first confederation. Tt Is q building for
important business usos, not for music and tho
graccs,-for work, not recroation. But Deauty
Ia also uscful. It has itB a,ns, and tlloy aro
high. Every man recognizes it in somo form,
anl bows boforo 1t.
Thcro aro thousands Of poor artisans In Chi
cago to whom Doauly is moro than (. dream. A.
hne building yields thom as much pleasure Us 1t
yiods to tho nloat cultivated lover Of art It ia
an instinct, tho nxiatcnce and nnt,lro Of which
10 ono can explain. Wo, therefore, In tho now
Co,,rt-uouse, nftor having supplied the common
utility, must pay duo regard to TINT doepor aud
inor utility callod Beauty.
Our now Court-Hou should rank among tho
1t will tnko such rank II everything In tho shape
OF corrupt influence in bol,alf OF this or that
plan 10. scattered to tho winds, and tho final
Judgment iB roachod by considerations only
Of tho most usoful, tic most beautiful, and tho
truo.
How arc VIC to arrive at tho host conclusion
If tho architects were excluded and tho public
admitted, the solution Of this question would DO
simpler.
Every competing architect naturally profers
Ills own plan to all othcrs, aud, therefore, ho il
all unfit critic on tho works Of othors. II auy
class aro to bc excluded suroly it should be thiB
clasn Of competing architects, who, by badgoring
tho Aldermen, dwelling upon tho merits Of tleir
own works and tho demecits Of better works
than their Own, oroato O confusion Of mind ILL.,
adapted to true Judgment. DeBldes, what In
tho meaning .of this mysterious star- Chamber
bcsinoHa? Why arc tho peoplod e1cludod2 Why
must oyery ono go to the trouble Of obtaining q
pagu7 Why is thoro Ciroumlooution oiiico
Experience has bitterly taught liz that no
public officer Is infal]ible, bo be m Alderman,
or member OF tho Doard Of Public Works, or
even nlembor Of Congress-. He may lave
keen eye for tho faults OF others, and bo por-
fcctly blind to his own. Such mon have been
gently influenced in tho past, aud they may bo
gently influenced in the future.
Now, the pooplo aro determined that thero
shall DO no rottonnosB about thiB matter. 1t
heaven abovo us, those who hayo to pay for tho
work will prevent 1t from boing dono at alll
Who doubts tint there has boon great deal
OF secret talk over those plans2 Thofo is moth
nsu mG5s Re sasseys rsn n ] ,xs a hTe @
to 300 tioHo plans, aud that, too, without any
restrictions wlatovor.
Tho doora should DO opened, and ovcry man,
woman, and child should cordially bo invitel to
House. An intelligent public sentiment will
then be formed; and this Bontimont will be u
truor ono, hayo no doubt, than tho presont
Committee, aurroundca as they arc by "luz-
yards" will bo able 10 form.
Docs any ono doubt that the " Chnmbcr of
Commerce is 4 beautiful building? IL not this
fact aa patout to oycry carpontor, and mason,
nnl lnborar in the city al tho noBt cultivated Al
dcrman, or tho most accomplished member Of tho
Board OF Public Works
Ia not tho whole world agreed in regard to the
boanty Of tho 'Youna" or tho .'Apollo ~ Who
tint looks upon such perfect works foels
doubt 7
Tic grandeur of "gt. potor'a" imprcssoa
every olo,-the 1umbleut as woll AZ t4o most
gifted.
Tho Cathedral Of Alian is marvel Of beauty,
- beauty universally acknowledged; aud 10
with the "Alhaubra, " and d thol,snl.d other mag
nlticont works that might bo named.
Such bolng fact inaispnsable, this barring tho
public out from "Kontuoky Block" aeema both
unwiso and outrageous. What docont o1cuse
can ho nude for ouch oxoluBveness2 Let the
people III, and tho moral atmosphere will bo
pur0r. All schemes OF aolf-intoroat will bo OK
Terminated. Tho public will soon dBeover whore
tho highest merit lies, Yours respectfully,
J. EHifla WArnEN