Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-08-13
TIE Corcora. Square Market.

THIRTY-sEvEN.
Last night meeting Of the committee Of thir-
ty-seven appointed st the recent mass meeting
OF citizens favorable to the erection of the Cor
coran square market ION It'll street, between D
and streets.) was held In the parlors of Mr..
William Mcclure, corner Of It'll and p streets.
There were present Messrs. X. nj. Hall, W. a.
Cook, Peter Campbell, Sidney McFarland, f..
%. Dom, j. Q. Parker, Justice Moulton, W. T..
Mott, L. j. Sweet, r. w. Fenwick, Charles
Lemon, II. G. Hewitt, Judge Moore, o. S. b.
Wall, NJ. Laurenzi, j. X. Cassin, r. A. McMur-
ray, &. w. Perkins. and others.
Mr. r. Nj. Hall, chairman, called the meeting
eIs having decided ad versely on the application
OF the committee for the work to 20 on, they
should determine on some course of action.
Notwithstanding the adverse report, he pre-
suned all were in favor OF the market. And the
question was not, hall the market be erected?
but How shall ii be built?
Mr.. Peter Campbell, chairman Of the COM
Hlfsion, was called on, and stated that as such
ne bad received communication from the
Commissioners OF the District adverse TO the
erection of the market. He was present to
he would state that the failure to erect the
market-bouse was not chargable to the COM
mission nor the contractor. The commission
had done all in their power, and after entering
into a contract they waited on the Governor
(CoOke) and urged that the bonds be ne gotiated
but they were put off from time to time. They
finally asked that the contractor be allowed to
take the bonds at 80 cents in the dollar, which
he had agreed to do, but the Governor declined,
alleging that it was too low a price. These
bonds were ] per cent. bonds. and about the
same time the Governor negotiated the bonds of
the Board of Public Works, 8 per cent for 81
cents. The contractor then said if they would
guarantee that he should be paid, he would go
on, but he could get no such guarantee Gov
ernor Shepherd did not meet the commiss on
but he would not charge that it was for want of
interest. Governor Shepherd recognized the
Commissioners of the District had not posses.
sion OF all the facts when they made their reply
to the committee.
MIR. W. A. Cook said that although by law all
appropriations lapsed after fifteen months, it
was very doubtful if this contract was affected.
This was valid at least until the 1st Of October.
The Commissioners claim tina. because but
small portion OF the work can be done before
october LIST they are justified in leaving the
matter where 1t Is. He claimed that although
but little time remained q considerable portion
OF the work could be done and the bonds could
be legally Issued. as the contract is in force and
the appropriation will not lapse until October,
as the Commissioners claim 1t must. He favored
pushing the work until that date, when the con-
tractor could claim pay and the decision OF the
Commissioners be tested. The statement made
that the issue OF the bonds would increas, the
debt was an erroneous one, for they having been
signed and sealed are included In the estimates
Of the District debt. He believed that the case
was not altogether hopeless, for some OF the
commissioners the day after the interview had
acknowledged that the market people had made
strong case. lie therefore thought that it
would be well to wait on them again.
Judge Moore said that 1t was well known that
a portion Of the bonds had been negotiated,
some being held by the trustees Of the Corcoran
art gallery, anu tne xISnnd had been npr-
Every citizen has an equitable interest In the
square He claimed that the Commissioners
were bound By the bargain of their predeces-
sors, and the policy OF the citizens should he to
get some one to 90 on with the work-tell the
contractor to go on with it. And the Commits
sioners may attempt to stop it, and then the
He claimed that the market commissioners had
full power to 60 on with the work, and hoped
they would proceed. He denied that there was
any lapsing OF the appropriation. He called
purchased in anticipation of the erection OF the
uation.
Mr.. Lemon asked if there was anything in the
contract as to the time for the completion of
the work.
Mr.. Campbell replied that there was lmi
tation, which had been extended.
MT. Cook asked If a sufficient amount of
money could not be raised by subscription to
induce the contractor to 60 on. He believed
that an active committee could secure pledges
to take the bonds at 80 cents.
Mr. Lemon stated that a gentleman had
invested SEQ 900 in the neighborhood where he
understood that the market was to be built,
and that gentleman he had no doubt would
contribute towards the market He moved that
committee be appointed in accordance with
the suggestion Of Col. Cook; adopted, and the
loHOHlng we're appointed rs the Committee:
Charles Lemon, John q. Parker, X. W. Fem
wick, Joseph Prather, Albert Gleason, VIM. H.
Hoover, James III. Stone, Frank Thyson, o. 5.
II. Wall and Samuel Wheatley. 1t was stated
that Mr.. w. H. Hoover had already $4,000 in
subscriptions.
Mr.. j. X. Cassin moved that a committee Of
five be appointed to wait on the District Com
missioners to make additional suggestions and
recommendations relative to the market, which
was adopted, and Judge Moore, Col. Cook,
Messrs. Peter Campbell, K. W. Fen wick and
h. III. Hall were appointed.
letter was received from Judge Ingersoll
regretttng his inability to be present, but
advising those interested, If they found they
we're right, to go ahead and build the market,
and rely on the law in the cass 10 secure the
payment Of the contractors.
Both the committees will meet this evening.