Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-03-21
Largest Circulation in the District
Reading Matter on Every Page.
WASHINGTON CITY:
hiDAn- --............Ma March n, 1879.
a New District Government Building.

In the Deficiency bill which became a law
March 8, was the following appropriation:
"FOT the purchase by the United States of the
interest OF the District of Columbia in the pres
CEt CITY Hall building in Washington. now
used solely for Government purposes, such sum
- may be determined by three impartial ap-
pTaiserS 10 be selected by the Secretary of the
Interior, not exceeding seyenty-fye thousand
dollars, the same to be applied by said District
only for the erection OF a suitable buiklino for
Tie DiStr' CT eTnces, and the governor and board
ct public works are authorized. il they deem III
ADVISABLE Tor that purpose, to make arrange
I.ents 10 secure sufficient land fronting on
~ tihss wanna ana LOUISIANA avenues, between
sth and 9th streets"
Under this act the Secretary of the Interior
has appointed Hon. Montgomery u. Leggett.
commissioner Of Patents, George s. Gideon
ana n y HOsfner. appraisers, to report to him
whether OF not the Districts interest in the
present Citv Hail building is worth $4,000. II
they report favoTably that sum will be imme-
dStely paid to the District authorities The
present City Han building has been constructed
mainly by the city of Washington, with one ap-
preparation made by the United States, and ac-
C0rdtng to the memorial of the Governor aud
Eoard of Public Works to Congress bv reason
Ct which the appropriation was made, the Dis
trict had expended upon the property,
si4S.i5I2a. The appraisers cannot well value
tie Districts interest in the buildings upon
their fun transfer TO the United States at less
tsan 10000. and might with propriety value
t.em at $50 600, or about the amount of the
Districts expenditure thereon, but the appro-
IriatiOn Is limited to s.5,O 600.
As by the act of Congress the 5000 is ONLY
10 be applied for the erection of new District
government building, the Governor and Board
ei Public Works have made arrangements with
ire Washington Market Company, by which
the company has surrendered to the District
the front land on Pennsylvania and Louisiana
avenues, between 9Th and 9th streets and the
rental which Is due from the Market Comranv
10 the District for the support of the poor has
been equitably spportioned between the Dis.
tiiet and the company, according to the yalua-
non OF the land a. heretofore fixed BY the Dis
ifiet appraisers for purposes of taxation. The
arrangement has been finally consummated,
Tie District has taken possession of the prom
cry, the work Of eNcayating for LAYING the
foundation has been commenced, and before
hext inter, our citizens may expect to see.
Sell-adN aneed. a District government building
IA every way worthy OF the capital. It is the
intention of the District authorities to provide
Tor al the District Offices in this building ami
also to construct large hall, such as is iudi,-
IenSably necessary in thi, city.
The liberal action of Congress in making ,b.
appropriation for the purchase of the CITY Hall
building, and the prompt action of the Cover
ior and Board Of Public Works in securing the
benefits Of the Appropriation. and taking step,
to erect public District building upon the
most available and eligible open space in the
city 10 to be highly commended.