Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-19
The Post Office Question.

Editor of The Sear:-Your widely circulated
journal is ever the advocate OF fair play; hence
/ trouble you with this epiStle. The Republican
of this morning contains what purports to be
meeting of prominent citizens held at Shea's
hall for the purpose OF protesting against the
location OF the city post Office west OF 9th street.
J. B. Wilson was called TO the chair, and Mr..
Horati5 Browning made secretary. Both these
gentlemen have stores near the corner of eth
street and Pennsylvania avenue, and are of
course interested In this locality. Lawyer Nor
ris made speech, in which he contended that
there were only two places fit for it-one the
square west Of the present office, the other at
lth street and Pennsylvania ayenue-and
wound up by saying there was no necessity for
renewal, '.unless there was lob in IT, :"
Just here, Mr.. Editor, give quotation from
the petition circulated by the parties holding
TINS meeting, which looks more like job than
mas appeared elsewhere:
III the occupancy OF these reservations should
oe deemed 1mpracticable, we beg to call your
attention to the property owned by the Bank of
Washington, and the two buildings adjacent
thereto, covering an area Of about 1900 square
Ieet, winch can be had at a reasonable price:
ana also the property at the northwest corner
Oh Itn street and Market Space, and the st.
nue. and 9TH street. We call particular atten-
ton TO the Bank of Washington site, which Is
Dy all odds, the most desirable of the sites Of
fered. IT, is bounded by three thOrough fareS
ahoTdS ample room, and enjoys superior ad-
vaLtages over the various sites offered
Col. S1noot was In favor Of the vacant site in
front of the market. Now, as Col s. is direc-
tor and stOckhOlder in the market company,
some envious people might say his advicc was
that OF an interested party. l do not, but Sug-
gest that 1t would be bad policy to put the city
post Office on the south side OF the avenue and
subject every man, woman and Child to being
run over, even to Oblige the market company
and enable them to get rid OF bad bargain.
Mr.. E. G.. Davis, who has fancy store at Sth
street and Market Space, was also diSinterested.
He represented 100000 people and had no prop
erty TO dispose of, and attacked the majority
OF the commission, who had been so rash as to
differ with him, and the cOrn-fed solOnS aSSOci-
ated with him, VIZ, Macarthur, of Philadelphia,
who has charge OF all the state and government
buildings, who dlSburseS yearly more than any
other architect In the country, who declined the
Office OF supervising architect OF the Treasury
when rendered him; captain Sanger, for IS
years chief engineer OF the Navy department.:
and Gen. Brady, Second Assistant Postmaster
General; all government officials, unbiased by
any local prejudice or feeling, and then the
meeting adopted resolutions that no removal
General the lie direct, who not only in his an
nual report, but in message to Congress, has
urged that provision be made for removing the
post Office, and that the best interests OF the
service dema nd it.
submit that the three tailOrS Of ToOey street.
London, who resolved that the world belonged
TO the saints and that they were the saints,
must have direct descendants in the orgina-
tors and abett0rS OF this meeting. Now,
the fact is that 1900 of the business
men and property holders, representing a vast
office be located not east OF 10th street, and be-
tween 9TH and 18th streets west--ail well known
people FROM every walk of life. favor the cor
ner CT 18TH street and Pennsylvania avenue.
having prepared the plans for the proposed
change, believing that il will make a node,
Office, and answer all purposes for years to
come. The owner Mr.. IeS5up. is a man OF large
means. perfectly satisfied with his Investment
ana cares but little whether the United State
purchase 1t or not There is no Job
OF any Kind, nor Will he pay a cent to
any one to advocate or Influence it, The build
ing stands on its merits, Is offered at its cost
price TO build, and is - per cent. cheaper at
that than any other ttre-proOf building public
or private, in these United States
have made these criticisms and statements.
Mr.. Editor, that the people MY understand and
appreciate this stupid. malicious cry OF ring
Job" which has made this city by-word and
Teproach all over this country. at is an Ill
bird that fouls its own nest" is 4 h0mGly adage
but there never was a better illustration OF its
truth than here In this national capital
Respectfully, wv III HlF-I.N