The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-08-03

them to Washington and had them ana
llyzed by the eminent chemist OF the
Smithsonian Institute, VINO made re-
port of the analysis Of the same, winding
up thus:
81 am strongly OF the opinion that it
would not stand exposure, particularly
to the action of frost. A few years ex-
posure, in a climate of any severity, or
in locality like Pittsburg, where coal
is largely consumed, would prove disas-
trous to it. l.. ID. GALE,
"Per w. M. NEW. Chemist, s. l."
Upon the report of this Commission, to-
gether with the accompanying report of
the chemical analysis, Secretary Bris-
tow ordered the work upon the Custom
house permanently stopped, for which
there seemed abundant reason at the
time. 1t appears, however, that MI.
Farwell, the member Of Congress from
Chicago, visited Washington TO urge the
Secretary to reconsider his order and 80
on with the building, and that when he
returned he reported the Secretary as
saying: "We declared the Buena Vista
stone rotten;" said he 'Elooked with very
little favor upon the Chicago archi-
tects." Referring to their report he
said: 81 shall read IT.. that is, If get
time."
Mr.. Mueller may properly express his
belief, that if the Secretary is 80 much
occupied, the President will find time to
read report 30 important under the cir
cumstances. The reading of that may,
we hope, cause him to as carefully con-
slider the statement which Mr.. Mueller
submits to him, and in that connection
inquire why the true report of Dr.. Gale
was suppressed, which so far from con-
demning the Buena Vista stone, COM
mended it, while fictitious one giving
the true analysis made by the Doctor,
but expressing the very opposite conclu-
slons (signed rs aboyel was substituted
| instead.
1t may be possible the Secretary was
fooled by his subordinates. II so, it Is
an apology for his conduct; 1t not, the
President had better not let his subordi-
nate fool him. Such official abuse of the
name of q man whose character for in
ltegrity and truthfulness Is as we'll es-
tablished as by his scientific reputation,
to.gratity personal malice, is too serious
a matter to be permitted to pass unno-
ticed.
We sincerely hope the fact may prove
IAls La EnA t.n
misrepresentation OF the Commission,
and that when fully advised of their
extent, as he undoubtedly will be by
| Mr.. Mueller's statement, he will grace
| fully correct bis error and reinstate him
self in the good opinion OF the hosts Of
1 friends he has in this city, but who can
be friends no longer, il he persists in his
effort to destroy an important branch of
our business, and one in which every Cit
izen takes pride.
In addition to Mr.. Mueller's statement,
which he must find time to fead, he
should also be informed of what Is patent
to every one here having occasion to in
qure into the qualities of building ma
| terial, that the Buena Vista stone has
| for fifty years been used in all There are
but few exceptions) the finest buildings
of this city, and for color, finish and
durability 1t is now preferred to all other
| stone; and that instead OF crumbling it
hardens with time. A notable proof OF
this quality appears in the Gano monu-
ment that was erected forty years ago
in the old Baptist burying ground.
| 1t was such masterpiece OF the
sculptor's art, with each OF it's sides il
lustl ating scripture scene, in which
every figure was worthy the study of an
artist, that it was point of interest to
strangers visiting the city. That monu-
ment, with all its elaborate and delicate
| figures, has been exposed to the action
of the elements ever since, and it now
| stands an object of interest in Spring
Grove Cemetery, TO which place IL was
removed twenty years ago. 1t is not
presumable that General Bristow is fa-
miliar with the facts, but he ought to re-
fleet that The President may be, and
needs but to have his attention called to
them to send the opinions of VIM. M.
New higher than Gilderoy's kite.
The Secretary ought also to be in
formed that the Buena Vista stone is
favorite in OHIO; that it has been re-
terred to with great satisfaction in ev-
cry Geological report, and until this
illumination from the Treasury Depart
ment not doubt existe1 as to its emf
nent fitness for buildings of any size or
description. That this estimate was
not confined to this city nor to the State
is evidenced from the fact that it has
been extensively used in Boston, New
YORK, Baltimore, Chicago, and other
large cities, and also used in the con-
struction of the Government buildings
in Cairo, Omaha and this city.
| The most elegant building in Chicago,
the Chamber Of Commerce, stands liv-
| ing witness to contradict every asser.
ton of the Commission. The Secretary,
il he should ever ind time to look at the
buildings in that city, will likely join in
this conclusion, and also that the in
scription cut in block of Buena Vista.
stone in the building corner of Clark
and Monroe streets, erected by our old
townsman Wilson Nixon, will disprove
all the conclusions expressed about the
capacity of the stone, of which that large
| block is built, to resist the action of ex-
treme heat. 1t reads: ''This is the only
building that withstood the great fire Of
October 8, 1871" That block now stands,
just as it did before the fire, the owner
having had the good taste to preserve it
| in the exact condition in which the fire
left it, and that condition is such that it
is with the greatest difficulty that sim
gle stone can be found with the brand of
the great fire stamped upon it, and this