Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1881-04-16
THE NEW COURT HOUSE

THE NEW COURT HOUSE.
EDITOR OF CHRONICLE II am
one of the "Old foggy' kind who be-
lieve that it is the duty of all per-
sons holding any position of public
trust, it matters not how humble
that position may be, to render for
the benefit of those bestowing that
trust, and others personally interes-
tel, a faithful, and true account of
their stewardship.
Although in the humble capacity
OF a Court House commissioners, of
Montgomery county, and as secreta-
ry of the board, l feel that l have
honestly ATTEMPTED to fulfill myduty
as such, | am unwilling to think
that l have fully performed the
whole of that duty, until l have
rendered unto my employers a strict
account of what l have done, in con-
nection with others associated with
me in the position named.
In order to do this, / must ask
your kindly aid, whilst at the same
time 1 hope you will not accuse me
of presuming too much upon your
generosity, for it is only through
the medium Ofthe press, the beacon
light of any section o country, that
information in regard to public mat
ters can be impaired to such an eX-
tent as will enable 1t to reach all
classes of persons who havea right
to know, and who should know,
how their public affairs r manag-
ed.
In the month of April, 1878, the
county court of Montgomery
ty, was called together in extra ses-
sion for the purpose of taking into
consideration matters connected
with the burning of the County
Court House, and the rebuilding of
the same.
At this session of the court five
commissioners were appointed to
transact such business, and to make
such arrangements rs regards the
purchase of grounds, and the cree
ton of a new building as was deem
ed best for the interest of the public
under the direction of the said court.
These commissioners were Judge
Chas. g. Smith, Judge Chas. w.
Tyler, Esq w. S. Mallory, Esq Crit
fin Organ, and myself.
After the adjournment of court
they held their first meeting, and
organized for the transaction of bus
mess by the election of Chas. w. Ty-
Ter, chairman, Chas. G Smith, treas
urer, and G. H. Slaughter, secreta-
ry.
The first business after organiza-
ton was the ~perfecting of such ar
rangements as would enable us to
properly dispose of the old property
with a view of purchasing a more
suitable site for a new Court House.
The lot opposite the Methodist
Church upon which the Howell
school building now stands, 'front.'
ing 42n feet on Franklin street, and
running back to Maine, was first
selected by the commissioners at a
cost of $4,000, but on their action be-
ing submitted to the court, it was
rejected. The next two most prom
inent lots that were then taken into
consideration as suitable sites, were
the DIR. Cobb lot with all improve
ments thereon, and the one that
was finally purchased. My prefer
ence was for the Cobb lot, because /
deemed it a beautiful place for a
public building, and because l be-
lieved that the buildings on it could
have been used for Court House pur-
poses until the county was more
able, financially, to build a Court
House. After the final selection of
the lot by the Court, advertisements
were made inviting architects to
propose plans for a building, and
out of a large number presented the
one offered by Mr.. Bunting was Sc
Iected under the impression that it
was the cheapest, and under all cir
cumstances the most desirable.
We then advertised for proposals
from contractors for the erection of
a building in accordance with the
plans, and specifications furnished
by Mr.. Bunting, and the bid made
by Messrs. Mccormack q Sweeny
being the lowest, and regarded as
most reliable. was accepted, and a
| contract made with these gentle
men to do the work. Il is unneceS-
sary here TO state the misunderstand-
ings arising between, or the differ
ent construction placed upon the
specifications furnished by the ar
chitect, blythe contractors, and COM
missioners, owing to what the COM
missioners deemed to be the incom-
pleteness of these specifications.
1t Ii sufficient to say that the con-
tract was based almost entirely upon
these Specifications, and the plans
attached, and that had the contract