The daily gazette., 1880-12-20

amounted to $67, 703. On Tuesday,
August 18th, Mr.. Given signed the
contract, offering as sureties BENZ. G..
Pearce and Patrick Monaghan Of this
city. By the terms of the contract he
was to have the building completed by
the 1stof October, 1880, with bonus OF
$40 per day If the building was COM
pleted in advance, and penalty Of $40
per day if delayed.
Mr.. Given commenced work on Mon |
day, August 18th, 1879.
THE BUILDING COMPLETED.
1t is not proposed here to give min
ute detail of Mr.. Given's operations
from the commencement Of the con-
tract. His commendable perseverance
over serious obstacles, and his serious
difficulty with his sub contractor for
the stone work-Frederick Gramlicb,
of Philadelphia, are still fresh in the
public mind, and do not need recital
here. Suffice it to say that he faith
fully performed losing job, and on
Tuesday last his work was declared
satisfactory and the building formally
accepted on behalf of the Levy Court.
THE NEW COURT HOUSE.
With commanding elevation, 10
Gated in the center of commodious
lot, and surrounded by ample grounds,
the new Court House is grand orna-
ment to the city, and undoubtedly the
handsomest building in the State. 1t
will be provided with all modern con-
veniences, and in point of construction
particularly so far as relates to drain
age--is not exceeded by any building
in the country. All the water closets
and wash basins are drained into a
deep cesspool, located in the northeast
corner of the lot, which, on account of
its depth, is not likely to require clean
ing more than once in twenty years.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
To fully describe the building would
require many columns of space, but
probably good idea of its general ap-
pearance may be obtained from the
following brief description.
Commencing at the basement,
glance is sufficient to show that the
masonry of the foundations is of the
most complete and substantial char
acter. The walls are seven and eight
feet thick, and under the tower extra
walls, of undoubted strength, were
constructed, in order to properly sup
port the towers great weight. The
compartments formed by these extra
foundations have been cemented thor
oughly, and form excellent vaults,
which will, in time, be found very use-
full for the reception of old county re-
cords not in general or immediate
| use.
A corridor divides the basement,
running east and west. On the south
! side, commencing at King street, are
I two rooms which will be used by the
| jailors. Next are ten cells, hoored
| and ceuinged with North river flag
ging, and made secure with stout iron
bars. They are inte nded only for the
temporary accommodation of prison
ers during the sessions of court. At
the Market street end of the corridor
is the public waOer closet, of good size
and ample accommodations.
On the north side of the corridor
commencing at King street, is large
room designed tor the use of the fire
man. Next is the fire room, in which
is a plain, tubular boiler, 13 feet long
aud four feet in diameter, with 80
flues. 1t is fed by No. 8 Rival pump.
IL furnishes ample steam to comforta-
bly, heat The building, with a con-
sumption of from three-quarters to a
ton of coal perday. James McSorley,
a competent engineer, has charge of
the boiler.
Next comes small apartment for
the reception of ashes, beyond which
is a large room where coal is stored.-
At the Market street end is large
apartment which has been assigned
to the use of the Bailiff, Thomas B.
Smyth. Here are centered a number
of burglar alarm wires, which connect
with every door and window in the
building.
Atthe King street end Of the corri-
dor is door, where prisoners will be
brought in. Near by are etairways,
leading up to the first floor. The base
ment is lofty, well constructed, and
remarkably light and dry.
THE MAIN FLOOR
Is divided by two corridors running
from Market to King and from Tent
TO Eleventh street, with an entrance OF
each side, all of which are approached by
flights of broad, stone steps. The yes
tibule is handsomely tiled, but the cor
rdors are laid with board flooring
Commencing at Market street, on The
south side of the main corridor, is th,
Sherifi's office, adjoining which Is thu
office of the Clerk of the Peace. Acros.
the side corridor is the Levy Cour
meeting room, and next comes the ante
room of the Court, while fronting OF
King street is small apartment designed
for the County Treasurer's office. OPP
posite the latter, under the back stair
way leading to the Court room, is a ca
paclous vault for the use of the Treas
urer. On the north side of the mali
corridor, commencing at Market ant
extending to King, are the offices of tn
Clerk of the Orphans Court, Registe
of Wills, Prothonatory and Recorder o
Deeds. Each of these main floor rooms
excepting the County Treasurer's office
his l5xS0 feet. The.eeillngs are IA fee
high.
THE SECOND FLOOR
Is approached by a splendid doubl
stairway, the pride and boast of chalrma
Silver, of the Building Committee. Til
, stairway is of marble, with iron balu:
!, trades, and forms fitting companio
} nieca to the two massive iron pillars