The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-03
Reports Of the Register OF the Trea'
sury and Architect Mullett.

saws the total tonnage Of the country e1-
hibits an apparent increase OF lo4,526
tons. ,635 tons in registered tonnage, and
98. 99l tons in the enrolled and licensed
tonnage.
The annual report of supervising archl-
tect Mullett, contains the following IN
formation as to the progress of work up
to October lst:
Sites for the proposed public buildings
at Little Rock and Helena have been
purchased 1t has been found necessary
to resort to condemnation in order to OBJ
tain valid title to the property at Grand
Rapids The amount appropriated for
site at Pittsburgh, proved inadequate for
the purchase of property in an eligible
locality. Under these circumstance an
offer of the citizens to make up the deh-
cheney, and to pay the additional sum
required, has been accepted, and
instructions issued for the completion of
the condemnation to which it had been
necessary to resort. The proceedings
which were necessary to secure site
for the proposed building at Cincinnati
have been completed and the property
secured. The property originally Pur-
chased as site for the Custom House at
Evansville, Indiana, having been found
inadequate to permit the erection OF
such building us the necessities OF the
government service require, but addi-
tional property has been purchased and
arrangements have been made TO COM
mence the work rs soon rs title is per-
fccted The act approved July 2l, 1873,
authorized the purchase of Il site for the
proposed public building in Memphis, at
a cost not to exceed $4,000, in addition
to the value of the lot in that "ity, which
was purchased June 5, 1860, for that
purpose. the value of which was estimated
at $4,000. 1t was found, after careful
examination, that the amount thus
placed at the disposal of the department
was entirely inadequate, and that
no suitable property coul Id be procured
for the amount appropriated. Under
these circumstances the city OF Memphis
offered TO present to the government one
of the most desirable blocks in the city,
the value of which cannot be estimated
at less than 100000. This liberal offer
has been accepted and work begins as
soon rs the title is perfected.
The custom house lot at Louisville is
entirely too small, All additional frontage
on Green street being absolutely neces-
sary for the protection of the building
in case of fire and for the preservation
( of light Oh one of it, principal fronts.
. The adjoining property Is now occupied
bv small frame buildings, which the
owner proposed to replace at an early
day by a large warehouse. Should this
be- done the value and safety OF the Gus
tom house building would bc seriously
impaired, and as the property can be
bought for small figure | recommend
authority be obtained for its purchase.
The Marine Hospital property at Pitts
burgh, has been twice offered for sale,
but withdrawn. the highest bid that
could be procured being unsatisfactory.
The Custom House, Court House and
! Post Office ut Knoxville, have been com
plctcd AMI furnished within the amount
of the appropriation. 1t now occupied
and is one of the most substantial and
convenient public buildings owned by
the government, and though attordng
ample and suitable accommodations for
the transaction of public business, Is no
larger than is required.
The Court House and Postotiice at
Omaha is finished and will be occupied
A. soon Ms furniture can be supplied,
when it will afford the accommodation
now so much needed by the courts, post
office and other public offices in that city.
The extension of the Court House ald
Postoflice at indianapolis i nearly con-
ipleted and is partially occupied. 1t vii,
when finished, meet the present neces!I-
ties of the public service, but it is protn-
bic, that it will be necessary at no distant
dav to add another wing which would
render il convenient rs well as sub-
stantial structure.
The construction of Custom House 1t
St. Louis has been prosecuted with great
energy and marked success, and under
extraordinary difficulties, it having been
found necessary to pile the foundation,
and to cover the entire excavation with
massive bed of concret.
The retaining walls and the connection
with the tunnel are finished. The foul
dation is laid, and Il large portion of tie
basement walls are completed. The
facing of the basement, Sub-bascmen,
and a portion of the first story of ttt
building will be of Missouri red granite
This portion of the work is finished, %
we'll As the entire granite work for th
] 4 nf
render it possible to complete this i'm
portant building at an earl,
date. Work ha, been continued on the
north, south and east fronts of the custom
house at Chicago aud the west front com.
menced. The first story and large por.
ton of the second will be- completed
during the present season, and the entire
building placed under roof at an earl
date should no unforeseen difficulty arise
1t has been found impossible TO COM
mence work on the proposed buildings a
Covington, Nashville and Little ROcl
during the present season. Arrange
ments, however. have been made tina
will insure their commencement a. earl
next season n the weather will permit
Work Commenced ut Parkersburg
: Work has been commenced on tn,
public buildings at Parkersburg and it i
now well advanced. TIE basement vii
: be Of Buena Vista free stone, and th'
superstructure of brick with dressings o
Marietta free stone. Advantageous ar.
; rsngements for the supply OF materia
and labor for the construction OF certain
houses at Port Huron have been com
: pleted. and the work Is now in progress
The basement is of limestone from San
dusky, and the superstructure Of Amhers
free stone. The work has been well ant
: economically performed, and Is OF al
l excellent character. Work has beet
> commenced on the public build
! incs st Lincoln, Nebraska, ant
The basemen; story completed. il va
found impossible TO obtain brick suitsbl
!, for facing in that locality, and a. goo
j j cobble stone could b. procured at fai
: rates. it was determined TO construct tn
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