Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-12-05
HEADQUARTERS.
REPORT OF THE SECRETAY OF
WAR AND THE SUPERVIS-
ING ARCHITECT.
BONBASTES FURIOSO robson.

report of Supervising Mulict
shows that negotiations have been en-
tered into with view to procuring
suitable sites for proposed public build
iugs at Atlanta, Ga. Little Rock, ARK;
and Memphis, Tenn. The old custom
house, at Plymouth, n. c., has been
sold. The marine hospitals at New
Orleans and Natchez have been offered
for sale but 10 satisfactory bids were
received, consequently they were not
sold. The public buildings at Norfolk
AID Mobile have been greatly improy-
ed The public buildings at Galveston,
Texas, have been re1nodeled and refur-
nished. and are in better condition
than when first completed.
The great increase of public business
in Galveston rendered it necessary to
rent building for the use OF the GUS
tom house, the post Office Office requir-
ing the entire first floor, the courts
and offices of the Judiciary the re-
mainder. The business of the port is
rapidly increasing and as it is the
ostimportant city on the Gulf of Mex
leo, l would recommend to the favora
BILE consideration of the Department
the propriety OF erecting a suitable and
substantial brick bnilding, for the use
of the custom house, appraisers and
United States public stores, in that
city.
The public building at Saint Angus
tine, Fla, which was erected by the
Spanish Government, prior to the ac-
QUESTION of that State to the Union,
has been repaired and is now in as
good n condition as the nature Of the
case would permit, and provides salts
factory accommodations for the custom
house, post Office and courts. On the
10Th of June, 1870, I submitted plans
for the completion of the custom house
at Charleston, S. c., which contem-
plated the omission of the dome and
side portico, and the modification of
the east and west porticos in such a
manner that, while increasing the ca
pacity and value of the building, it re-
duced the cost of completion, and in
stead of injuring improved its archl
| lecture. These plans and estimates
were based upon drawings on file in
this Office and the property returns of
| the former superintendent. and were
| carefully prepared therefrom ana be
! licved to be correct After the work
was begun it was found that changes
had been made by the commissioners
under whose direction the work has
! been performed, Of which the Depart
Ilent was not aware and which greatly
! increased the expense of the compile
/ ton that Il large portion Of the mar
; BILE appearing on the property returns
of the Superintendent was nos to be
| found, having IL al probability been
| used during IT." Val, .:,.,: tilat tic portion
remaining haI h"ea damaged iy III =
! bombar'!ine'Et 81 = aritstpn, ana from
! other causes; 10 Il much greater extent
( tiian was ahlc!late,i- III mas It so peeh
found necessary to take down and re-
| build Il iafg2 portion OF TIC exterior
walls III oftter to remei;y errors and
! detects III toe original CONSTRUCTION;
/ These and other causes have increase Il
! the cos OF n "1rk SiS':jaS - be
/ yond the &';"nnt "Stihated- tt"ims
/ amounting t. SO. l9b 81 the existence
+ of which W2s unknown to the Depart
! ment, have been presented, adjusted
and settled for the sum OF s., us ~,
. Tor which al appropriation should be
/ made. the progress OF the work has
been entirely satisfactory and has been
+ We'll and ecohomlcaIly managed ana
the cost OF the WORK reduced To the
! lowest point, the excess over the est-
mate being due entirely to the causes
above specified. The improvement IN
/ the appea'ance Of the building and The
reductions IN the c"St OF completing,
! have been all that YVES anticipated, the
difference IN favor OF the modlhed plan
! being not less than Soco, o0V. Inc
building VIII, when completed, furnish
/ suitable accommodatlons Tor the Gus
! tom house, intending Appraisers
/ stores 1or totieS'or OF INTERNAL he7e.
l nue., ASSfSjttlL treasurer ana UlIlcerS OF
tie judiciary, thereby enabling the
| Department. to dispose of the Court
House building III that city, which IS
. tut temporary structure and cannot
! De expected to last many years.
The pubiic building at Columbia.
South Carolina, Will be an elegant and
! substantial structure, OF granite, which
IS obtained IN the immediate vicinity.
cutting was commenced by days
labor' ana Tor a tune proceeded IN
Satls1actorS manner: me lofmef su,
perlntendent proved unable to control
the cost OF the WORK and was accord
lnSiy removes; 1t was, however,
found impossible to remedy the effects
OF MS ENCOURAGEMENT and, to reduce
the cost OF the WORK to proper price,
a contract was accordingly made for
us compl'fion, which Is now proceed
ing III " - factory manner, aud the
DuiidihS VII undolbtedly be placed
''4 nl'sr TOT cary IN - me coming season.
NE pE4Sr'1S Oh the pllohc building
The work is Of excellnn+ cbaraotor =
has been ec"nomicaliy and Judiclously
coto"c5ed' anu VIII be completed
e'rlN the coming season Wlthin the
amount OF the appropriations.
M ,: mas peen commenced on the
| p"Il1c odiiuinS at haielSh, North
Chro!iha. lt mas, however, been
Iotihu extremely dlihc0lt to procure
eItiiet 'ilaseIiai or LABOR at reasonable
rates ana, as consequence,
Very I:ttIe progress mas been made.
Neiotiitlolls are however, IN progress
tilas WARRANT ran tle helie1 thaS THESE dun
o oI VIII De ~ overcome ana that
Sooo progress VIII III DE maze during the
coming season. Inc pudding Will be
40 ieet by o3 ieet, three stories IN
hel3ht, ana WI be constructed OF