, 1874-05-26

n.ineocuth century. It was strange acone--the old
men looking forward. tho young men looking back.
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THE s1TE or THE COUNTY HOSPITAL.
Our local columns tell q significant atory thia |
morning concerning tho purchase by the County |
Commissioners Of Il site for the new hospital.
Tho story bears strong marks OF verlsirnitndo.
It sounds exceedingly like m "o'er truo tale.'
It las tho flavor Of an old and oft-repeatcd MIR
aery-rhymo. It ia 30 similar to revelations We
hare been accustomed to read Of County Doarda
and other governing institutions for ton or doz-
On years back, that we aro inclined to accept
1t for fact. Briefly told, 1t ia this !:
The County Commissioners have been casting
about for year or more for suitable building
sito for tho now County Hospital. They have
received olfors largo and small, both as to the
land and tho price, and, certainly since tho
panic. must have had opportunities for purchas~
lug ground at reasonable figure. Among tho
various pieces Of property offered to them aomo
time ago woro the blocla lying between Harrison
and Polk, Lincoln and Wood stteets, and owned
by Mr. Baldwin, who wanted to sell them tor
$3.50, 900. After long and tedious delay,
Alr. Baldwin concluded TINT tho County Com
misslonors did not want his property, withdrew
1t, ami, subtlivided it to Bou In lots. At tho last
meeting Of the County Commissioners, however,
thoy pnado selection, and purchased Mr. Bald
wins property, but they did not buy 1t from Mr.
Baldwin, and paid t9146. 900 instead Of 100000,
for which It had previously heenof1ered to them.
The gentleman from whom thoy purchased, how
over, had bought 1t from 1lr. Baldwin about an
hour before for the original price, thus making tho
neat little profit Of $4,000 in about the eame
spaco Of time 1t would take man Of SLOW
| speech to say jack Robinson. The confidence
| with which the purchaser from Mr. Baldwin (aud
the sol1or to the city) paid down hia elsooo0 is
cheering in these times Of general distrust; and
| his faith waB amply rewarded.
Tho alacrity with which the County Commits
siouers paid Alr. CuHhman S146o0o for
| tho properly cue horr after he bought
it from 1fr. Baldwin, after rafuaing
| to purchase it for whole year from
Alr. Baldwin at s1so,oo0. is tho moet striking
foature Of tho case. Perhaps the County Com
missoners can explain this sudden change Of
heart. County Commissioners probably par
| take Of tho common oft1ca-ho1diug faculty Of
explaining everything. But toone not County
| Commisuloner-to q taxpayer, for instance
tho economy Of the transaction is Of tho most
| microscopic character. II all reports arc
true, tho County Commissioners hare been
eomowhat contracted In their opportunities fol
tho selection Of this County Hospital site
compact that, tho South Division having the
Court House, tho North Division ahould Lnvt
tho County Jail, and tho WoBt Division ehoult
hnyo tho County Hospital Still, the Wcs
Division mounds in property, and, in oil th'
competition, the County Commissioners aocn
mover to havo discovered the peculiar advantage
Of tho site sdopted until it lad passed ou
| Of tho original owners hands, and had IN
creased; $4,000 in the price demanded 10
1t. The only consolation thas con possibly b
derived from the transaction Ia tue direct eyi
donco It furnishes that Chicago property is con
stantly rising in value, In spite Of tho sever
trials OF the panic. In the meantime, Mr. Bald
win IL probably puzzled to know Why tho Count
Commissioners would not give hlm the benell
of the rise. And tho people will wonder ho'
htr. Oualman could know 10 surely that ho coul
buy for $3.50, 1000 one hour and soil to the Count
Commissioners for 9146,0 tho no1t. II tM
a.ozy is true as It cones to III. the oaae is Oh
that demands prompt and honest tnyestigatior
II such thing ii any longer possible.
MOSES.
!. MoaeH. according to tho sunday-sohool schola
! was tile only man who ever broke ali the Com
u mandmonts at once. His nanosaks, tho Gov
II ernor, according to South Caroljns, has com
d protty near performing tho sanlo somewhat iii
l. ileult feat. However,. it has been thought be'
u to punish him for their yolAtiou, one by on
| t,,1, .1.~ r$,f~