National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-08-13
0oRooRAY SQUARE MARKET
MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE {
THIRTY-sEVEN LAST NIGHT.


MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF
THIRTY-sEYEN LAST NIGHT.
A majority Of the committee of thfrty-seven
appointed at the last mass meeting of citizens,
met in the parlors of Mr.. VIM. Mcclure, north
west corner Of Seventh and P streets north
west, last night.
Mr.. R. N. Hall, chairman Of the committee,
called the meeting to order and stated that
they met tonight for the purpose Of taking
into consideration the decision lately rendered
BY the District Commissioners in relation to the
Corcoran Square market. '.--
Mr.. Peter Campbell was the hrss speaker.
he said that he had received an official com
munication from the Commissioners Of the
District Of Columbia, which was adverse to
the building Of . market on Corcorau SQUARE;
that he was present TO answer any questions
relative to the manner in which the market
commission had performed their duties, and
to give information, if any was required, on
the subject under consideration. He entered
into history of the market bonds and gave
bis reasons for their nonissle, which were that
Gov. Cook declined to issue the bonds bearing
six per cent. interest on the grounds that they
would not bring more than ninety cents, while
the certificates Of the Board Of Public Works,
bearing eight per cent. interest, were being
negotiated at eighty-seVen cents. Several par.
ties present questioned Mr.. Campbell in regard
to the mode Of action he would advise In the
matter, and he advised the citizens to 90 ahead
with the building and depend on the District
for payment.
Col. VIM. A. Cook was the next sneaker.
He said that the communication of the Com
missioners seemed to imply that they did not
feel bound to issue the whole of the bonds at
present, and in relation 10 the validity of their
issue be gave 1t as his opinion that the bonds
could legally be issued as 3 contract, for the
building had been entered into and eonse-
quently the appropriation could not lapse on
the list Of October, 1874, as the Commissioners
claim that it must. He advocated the pushing
forward of the work by the contractor from
now until the list Of October next, and Yolun-
teered the opinion that he could claim pay for
the amount of work done, and then the legality
Of the decision Of the honorable Commissioners
could be tested, and he had no doubt that the
decision of the courts would be in favor Of the
Corcoran square market. The statement that
the issue of the bonds would increase the debt
Of the District was an erroneous one, from the
fact they were already included in all the esti-
mates Of the debt made since the bonds we're
first printed and signed.
Judge Moore stated that the committee had
interviewed the trustees of the Coreoran Art
Gallery, the holders of the bond in trust bear
ing per cent. interest, which was issued TO
secure the purchase of the square, and that
they had expressed their determination to hold
on to the bond in their possession, as they
deem the purchase legal one, and that the
successors Of the late District government were
bound to adhere to the bargain Of their prede-
cessors. He also advocated the employment
Of some one who will go on with the work of
building the market, and when the Commits
sioners refuse payment for the work done 10
carry the matter to the courts, where it would
be decided on its merits. He claimed that the
market commission had full power to 90 on
with the work OF the construction of the mar
ket, and he hoped that they would exercise
their authority in the premises.
Col. VIM. A. Cook inquired what amount Of
money could be raised by outside parties to
commence the work and carry it through to
the LIST of October, when they could lay claim
to so per cent. of the cost Of the amount of
work done at that time.
To carry out the suggestion Of Col. Cook,
Mr.. Charles Lemon moved that committee of
ten be appointed to solicit subscriptions for the
taking OF the market bonds at 90 per cent. on
the dollar, with which TO pay the contractor
as the work progresses. The motion was
adopted, and the following named gentlemen
were appointed as the committee: Charles
A1CulOHy OOiln ~ 4 SAACA NV NAGhfOO5GpuI
Prather, Albert Gleason, VIM. H. Hoover,
James H. Stone, Frank Thyson, o. s. B. Wall
and Samuel Wheatley.
Mr.. Castle moved that a committee of five
be appointed to wait on the District Commits
sioners to make additional suggestions and
relative to the market, which
was adopted, and Judge Moore, Col. Cook,
Hon. Peter Campbell, Mr.. R. W. FenWick and
Mr.. r. n. Hall were appointed as the CON-
mittee.
A letter was received from Judge Tngersol
-egrsttiDg bis inability to be present, but ad-
Tising those interested, If they found they were
right, to go ahead and build the market, and
rely on the law in the case to secure the pay
nent of the contractors.
Both the committees appointed at the meet
ng will meet at Mr.. McGuire's this evening at
o'clock. "a ..-..... ....
The committee adjourned at $50, subject to
he call of the chairman.