Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-05-14
rHR MEMPHIS C%UsrOM-HOUsE.

Reeky-POstage Jree.
THE MEMPHIS CUsrOK-HOUsE.
The great swindls in ordering the use
Of Illinois sandstone as proper material
for the construction Of the Memphis Gus
tom.house naturally excites the indigna'
tion Of our people, who had entertained
the reasonable hope that Tennessee
marble would be used. As we under
stand, contracts for the building of Gus
tom-houses are awarded by James &
Hill, supervising architect Of the treas
ury department, subject to the approval
of Mr.. Sherman, who, in this instance,
has ordered that the inferior sandstone
from Illinois be used. This has been
done in the face of the fact that Tennes'
see marble is offered free of cost. Mr..
Hill some time ago approved the selec'
tion of Tennessee marble al the best and
most suitable material that could be
selected for the Memphis custom-house.
In order to avert fraud and secure
the Tennessee marble, a bill providing
that such be used was presented in
congress and is there awaiting action.
How long this bill will dWa;t action we
do not know, though Mr., Sherman must
be of the opinion that the measure will
not receive final action at the present
session. AT any rate Mr.. Sherman about
seven weeks ago notified Mr.. Young,
congressman from this district, that IN
less the bill shortly pass and become a
law, be would have work on the custom
house resumed. True to his warning,
Mr.. Sherman has signed the document
which provides hat Illinois sandstone
be used. This is a good thing for the
Illinois parties, for it will reslizs a boz
usnza, and also give them and their
sandstone some reputation. 1t will go
forth to the public that Illinois sand
stone, heretofore unknown, is superior.
even at a cost of $l.O5 per cubic foot to
Tennessee marble given gratis to the
government. This, too, in the face Of
the fact that Mr.. Hill recommended
the Tennessee marble. Is there
not something wrong in this
matter Of Illinois sandstone2 Add
yet it seems to us that the custom
house Of Memphis has not received
proper attention. How different with
the Nashville castom'house, which in
architectural design is Gothic Of the sec
ond period, and when completed will be
one of the handsonest and most endnr-
ing buildings in the Union. The stone
used in the construction Ct the Nashville
custom.house is from South Carolina
and Bowling Green, Ky. The Memphis
custom.house, according to Mr.. Sher-
man and Mr., Hill, is to be constructed
with red brick and Illinois sandstone
The South Carolina granite is delivered
at Nashville at Sll 5 per cubit foot, and
that from Bowling Green at IS cents. A
gentleman who lives near MorriStown
East Tennessee, offers to give the gov
eminent all the marble required for the
building Of the Memphis custom.house.
Why cannot Mr.. Sherman exercise . lit
tie patience and give Memphis the benefit
Of this offer and this superior stone2 10
addition to the Bowling Green stone for
the general s~uperstructure, Tennessee
marble is used for the interior Of the
Nashville custom.house, the estimated
cost of which is $372,OO 0 independent
Of heating and lighting. The building
is 81 by l62 feet, covering about TAG
more feet than the Memphis custom.
house. 1t will be s~urmounted by a tower
100 feet high, and, in addition TO a steam
elevator, will be arranged with all modern
conveniences, thanks to the excellent
taste and careful supervision ef James
H. Cochrane, the supervising architect.
Mr.. Cochrane is not only an intelligent
and reliable architect, but q genial and
accomplished gentleman, who enjoys the
esteem Of the good people of Nashville
BE is energetic, faithful and diligent,
MI I
thereby insuriDg the proper completion
of a public building that will do credit
TO Tennessee. Mr.. Cochrsae is fortunate
in having secured for his building, which
is the eighth that he has erected, such
superior and beautiful stone. We have in
the person of Major Sease an excellent
architect and gentleman Of urquestion.
able integrity, but unfortunately the
building which he snperVises is 10 be col.
structed of inferior sandstone. In view
of the facts presented, it would be well
sor the citizens Of Memphis to meet en-
masse and protest against the great in.
justice about to be done them in the Gus
tom.house. Win the Chamber Of Com.
MERGE and Cotton Exchange act upon
this suggestion ere it be too lste2 We
hardly think that Mr.. Sherman rightly
understands the question, and hope that
he will reconsider his action.
-
MAJOR JOHN W. TODD.
H.. InLn w nnAd nrInn.na lnnn.l