, 1875-02-07


We have on several occasions urged upon
the city and county authorities the necessity
for some early agreement between them upon
some general plan for the Court-Houss and
City-Ha1l. The past trouble hes been due to
the effort to make Of this public work pri-
vate job, and to take the management and
control Of the work out Of tho hands Of the
proper authorities end place it in those Of ir-
responsible and speculative jobbers. All
these efforts, however, have been defeated,
because Of the absolute want Of available
means on the part Of the city to begin work
Of this magnitude. The only means of the
city applicable for this purpose are the $780,
000-part Of the canel-lien fund-which was
set apart by the State for public buildings.
This money, however, is not available at pres
ent. Five-sizths of it is invested in the Gage
deficit, and the rest has been otherwise used
by the city to make good losses in the col
lection of taxes. It cen only ia replaced
by the proceeds Of direct taxation. The
city has, however, q large amount of
unproductive real estate, which is not
wanted, and the holding of which
By the city retards to some extent the general
Improvement. Portions Of this real estate
may be sold; and it is mere choice as to
some Of it whether the property shall be held
and sold hereafter for perhaps less than can
now be had for it, and the necessary means
raised by taxation. We think the universal
Judgment will be in favor Of converting this
unproductive property into cash. The county,
under the law, may raise money by the sale
of bonds sufficient to cover one or two years
expenditure on the building, and it also has
unproductive real estate which it would be
goods policy to sell as soon as there is q
market therefor
We have agreed with the President Of the
Board Of Public Works that it would be ad-
visable to contract only for each year's work
at time, and that, owing to the low price
Of labor and meterials, the present WIS
most advisable time to contract for the founda-
tons Of tho building Next year the super
structure might be begun. We see no good
agree upon plan for the whole building, and
will resort to the means which are at their
disposal, why this work may not ba begun in
the spring Of 1875.
The Chicago Times, drawing upon its lively
Imagination, charges TINT The TRIBUNE seeks
to defeet the construction Of the Courthouse
and City-Hall On the old site, in order that
one or the other of these buildings may be
located on Dearborn street! We have never
had On idec that there was any serious differ
ence of opinion as to tile erection Of the joint
building on the old site, and certainly should
oppose the purchase Of eny other site, on
Dearborn street or elsewhere, for either or
both of the buildings, We opposed in 1872,
3, and \, as we will in rs, resort to direct
taxation to build tho Courthouse and City
Hall, so long rs the city holds so much valu-
able real estate, Of no use present or futuros
to the city, and which is unproductive, and
may be sold at q fair price,, If the county
and city authorities will consult only the
public interests, will forego all schemes for
the personal benefit Of individuals, and will |
devote their energies to the procurement Of
means, there can be no reason why the build !
ing may not be begun this year, and all the |
and foundations completed by