The Sunday herald., 1881-02-13
4 PERMANENT CRY POST OFFICE.

The plans have taken definite shape for
the project Of locating the Washington city
post Office permanently on the spot where II is
now only atemporary tenant. Any one consid-
ering them dispassionately, laying aside mere
prejudices in favor of other localities, cannot
fail to be impressed, as we have been, with
the reason and justice of the views adduced in
favor of this step. In the first place, II
will readily be admitted that such public
Office should be moved as seldom as possible.
Removals lead to unhealthy speculation in
the values of surrounding property, at
tended with undeserved loss and gain, they
confuse and bewilder strangers or those hav-
ing unfreauent business with the mail, and |
they cause loss and damage to the service
each time. Starting with this presumption
in favor of leaving Colonel Ainger's head
quarters where they were recently moved
through necessity, the further advantages
which may be developed from this course
may be briefly stated as follows:
The bill now before Congress, and which |
it is to be hoped may have action this ses-
sion, proposes no less than the acquisition |
of the whole block, or blunt-pointed triangle,
resting on Sixth street and bounded by
Louisiana avenue and streets--square
No. 459 on the plan of the city. This may
seem somewhat startling at first, but 1t will
be seen on reflection as the only reason able
course. The Government would scarcely care
to be part owner of such small area with
private persons, who would be almost sure to
o-,, ii
cent fires and robberies in other cities warn
us that post Office so important as that in
Washington should be isolated from other
buildings, and open to patrol on all sides.
Having acquired the square at a fair
valuation, as could be easily done, the Gov
ernment, without at all disturbing the opera
tions of the present Office, could carry up the
low wing of the Seaton Building to the same
height as the centre, (six stories,) and on the
same plan. The apex of the triangle could
then be completed with a handsome rounded
or buttressed front, for which designs have
already been submitted, and which, while
harmonizing with the architecture of the
other portion, would give it a finished effect
and present grand vista from three sides
and tar up Pennsylvania avenue, similar to
that of Vernon Row and the st. Marc Hotel,
but of course more impressive by its size.
The present buildings thus proposed to be
utilized are said to be as good as new, con-
structed in the most thorough manner by
days work, and could be fre-proofed
throughout at less expense than new struc-
ture could possibly be put up by the Gov
ernment. The foundations are of great
solidity, and there is a basement story of
nine feet, well lighted, ventilated and dry.
The remainder of the block could then be
cleared off at leisure and the structure COM
pleted on q symmetrical plan to give ample
room for all the District Offices, now so sadly
in need of a home, for courts, police, and a
dozen other necessary objects, the providing
for which in central location has been
problem for some time pressing urgently for
solution. The Seaton Building alone and
the proposed final on Market Space it is
computed would give $4,000 square feet of
floor surface, more than all the rooms in the
building now used for the Pension Office,
Quartermaster Generals Office, and the build
.
For these the Government now pays about
$4,000 per annum in rents, which, with
$4,000 per annum now paid for the occupa-
ton of the Seaton Building, and other
rentals that could be saved by the proposed
change, would easily mount up to $4,000
, and over, more than ten per cent. ON all the
expenditure that would be necessary in this
project, whereas the Government can borrow
at three per cent.
The only answer to this reasoning, which
seems to us unanswerable, would be to point
ont location so much better as to pay for
above pointed out. 1t is impossible to do SO
If the intersection of Seventh street and
Pennsylvania avenue be not the heart of the
city it would be difficult to point out where
that is. There is the centre of population
as well as of business. This is proved by
the situation of the markets, with which
people from the country have TO deal
another strong reason for having the post
Office near by. Around the grand plaza al
the intersection, which must some day be
improved with statuary, fountains, and the
like, and be general resort, there is no site
so appropriate, so economical, so favorable
TO fine architecture as the one where the city
post Office is now located. tramway. con
Meeting with all parts of the city is proposed
to pass along Louisiana avenue, and needs
only prospect of permanency in the post
office to be promptly laid and put in opera
ton. There are already five other lines o
conveyance in close proximity. With Louis
lana avenue properly paved, as it then woult
be, no site in the city could compare will
this for convenience of access. There ar,
two prosperous banks now in operation OF
the very spot where the new general de
livery would be placed.
final reflection is that probably private
enterprise will never be able or willing I,
improve this fine site as the Government
could do, and the block would always b'
taken up with mass Of incongruous build
ings, their ugliness made the more conspicu
GUS by the eligible location. This SHOULD
ally all persons of taste with the movemen
TO add another ornament to our beautifu
city by improving square 459. A persona
Survey VI Nlic liaSS 10 ~ - anu Ah IL NOuls
be under the new arrangement should con
hrm and more than confirm all We have sale
in the minds of our resident readers.
The New York Herald prints double
loaded letter from Cincinnati correspond
ent who claims to know what is thought a
Mentor He says Grant and Conking wan
Garfield to wear their collar, but that no
being dog, Garfield won't. That in hi
Cabinet " Mr.. Blaine win be Secretary @
State, while Mr.. Sherman may be secretar.
" Of the Treasury, and Governor Poster may b