New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-03
B Y TELE G R APH
WASHINGTON.


The Fortune.
WASHINGTON, December 2-The hylO-
graphic steamer Fortune is at Kingston,
Jamaica. All well.
The Transit Of Venus.
The Monongahela has been detailed to
observe the phenomenon of the transit Of
Venus at Table Bay.
The King of the Sandwich Islasds.
The King Of the Sandwich Islands leaves
San Francisco tor Washington on Saturday.
Architect Mullett's Recommendation.
Mullett's report states that sites for pro-
posed public buildings at Helena and Little
Rock have been purchased. 1t was neces-
sary to resort to condemnation to secure
property at Grand Rapids. In many in
stances, at the North, the appropriations
are inadequate, the prices assessed under
condemnation being in excess. Memphis
has presented property to the government
for public buildinRs valued at $500, 900.
The old custOmhOuse lot at Norfolk was
sold at auction.
The customhouse, courthouse and post.
office at Knoxville have been completed
within the appropriation.
The buildings at Columbia, South Caro-
lima, will be completed within the present
year.
The recommendations regarding the Gus
Special attention is called to the remodel
ing and extending Of the customhOuse at
Pensacola.
What tho Railroads Owe the Government.
Quartermaster Meigs' report states that
railroad companies, principally in the
South, owe the government 81 SOC, 900.
N1ulIett on the New Orleans Custemhsuse.
Supervising Architect Mullett in his re-
port says: II desire to renew my recon-
mendations in regard to the customhouse at
New Orleans. Many of the officers now
occupying rooms in it are without ordinary
convenience, and the courts are held in
unfinished apartments, in which it is almost
impossible to transact public business. The
BILE accommodations provided for the post
Office and appraisers department. This
building was, prior to the war, under oOn-
troll of commission who had entire charge
of the work and made many and costly
changes. Since the resumption of the
work ito construction has been sim
plified and it's cost reduced as far as
possible. The notifications have not. how.
ever, injured the building, but have im.
venience. and it will, when completed,
afford accommodations for every branch Of
public service in New Orleans, the mint
only excepted, and will also provide ample
room for storage of bonded merchandise at
that port. At the time the building was de-
signed it was supposed that sufficient Office
accommodation could be provided in the
principal story. and that the basement and
upper steries Of the building would be used
!! for warehouse purposes. The increase OF
hnsin,ss since that time has, however, rem
dered it necessary to occupy the basement.
the first and second stories for offices, which
has involved much additional work. Ihe
delay in completing it is adding very
greatly to it's cost, and | earnestly recon-
mend that the necessary appropriation be
obtained and the building completed at the
earliest possible moment.
The work on the custOmhOuse at Charles
ton has proceeded as rapidly as the circum-
stances of the case would permit. In my
last annual report stated that it could not
be completed within the limits fxed by law,
and recommended that the necessary apprO-
priatiOns be made. desire to renew this
recommendation, and call attention to the
fact that this office is not responsible for
the cost of this building, the designs having
been prepared and work prosecuted prior
to the war, under the direction of com-
mission appointed for the purpose. as in
case Of the customhOuse at New Orleans.
l have endeavored to reduce the cost to the
lowest possible point, and have SO modified
the plans as to effect a saving Of over half
a million of dollars, and in so doing
have not only increased it's capacity,
and added to its convenience, but have, l
believe, improved its architecture, and, as
consequence, Its appearance. The work
had, however, reached such stage that it
appeared impossible to make any further
notifications without ipjuring the building.
There seems, therefore, to be no alternative
beyond leaving it in an unfinished cOndi. |
tion or appropriating the amount necessary
for its completion. 1t is undoubtedly much
more ornate and costly than is required. 1t |
is at tho came time 50 nearly finished and |
Of SO monumental character that failure |
to complete it in proper manner could not
be justified, even on the score of economy.
NIullett'A Successor
Secretary BristOw has rendered the office !
Of supervising architect of the tre asury to |
William Macarthur. Of Philadeip phis.