Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1878-05-18
The New Court House

The Justices of the County Court
will shortly be called upon to choose
the spot on which shall be erected
the County Court House. The
careful examination, by them and
by the appointed commissioners, is
earnestly asked of a lot to be pres
emily described, and which it is be-
lieved and confidently affirmed to
possess advantages superior to any
other lot yet mentioned in this con-
nectiOn. 1t will suffice now to offer
brief summary of those qualities
which are generally conceded to be
essential to such place, and which
need not to be elaborated by argu-
ment and proof:
First-It should be of easy and
and convenient accessibility to all
the people.
Second-It should be retired from
the noise and hustle of commerce.
Third-It should afford room for
a building so far from other houses
as to make it least liable to damage
by fire originating in another.
Fourth-It should offer a position
commanding the pleasurable notice
of the whole public, local and
travelling.
Fifth-The money value should
be a reasonable one, and less than
this the county of right cannot ask.
These are qualities which it is
your duty to demand of any lot on
which that house is to be placed,
without regard to any individual
advantage. 1t is insisted upon that
the territory lying between Main
and College streets, in the one di-
rection, and Spring street and the
western line of the property of
Joshua Brown in another, furnishes
in an eminent degree all and singu-
lar the advantages recOunted. OF
course the buildings now upon the
ground should beremOved, the good
material in them serving a good
end in the new structure, and the
street at present leading from Main
to College street should be filled
to the natural grade on either side
of it. This would give us a square
of ground easily approached from
all quarters. The building placed
one hundred feet below Main street,
on the highest ground and equi-
distant from Spring street and
Browns line, or a new street to lie
opened along that line, would Sc
cure court, council, jury and aud
itor, from the disturbing noises of
the thrOughfares. Such a building
as the county should erect, if located
here, would daily command the
favorable notice of passengers on
the railroad, and on the steamboats,
passing along our river front, and
all who enter the town by the Prin-
cipal highways. Let IL not be
placed on a flat requiring it to be
sought for if seen at all; but build
on the emiR6nce named, and the
town will quickly put Oh peW and
becoming appearance to the travel
ing public. Located here, and con-
structed as it ought to be, the danger
from Are or flood would be reduced
to the minimum Of probability, or
rather to the verge of impCssibility.
Build here and surrounded with
shrub and tree and fountain, and
approached by firm clean walks,
the craving eye Of pleasure will be
fully satisfied, while the business of
/ the courts might be conducted with
! becoming order and quiet. Our
next Court House should not only
| answer the demands Of the imme-
| diate present, but also the multiplied
requirements of the distant future,
and do not think of Investing less
than one hundred thousand dollars
in grounds and COURT House.