The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-01
"A Plea for the CID City Hall Lot.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:

"A Plea for the cd City Hall Lot.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
The Council OF the city Of Richmond, ai-
/ ter de!iberaton and much discussion, has
| determined to build the new City Hall on
! the site heretofore appropriated to that
purpose. This resolution was vetoed by
| The Mayor, but the Council passed it by a
| decided majority over the veto and its OBJ
jections. Nothing has occurred since to
modify or change the views Of the Council
as heretofore expressed. The people and
the taxpayers, as general rule, were sat
| isfied. They intefpOsed no objection, and
| the remark was common that the new hall.
as q matter Of course, ought to be erected
on the old site, which is the property OF the
( city and dedicated TO that purpose. Such
was almost unanimously the sentiment OF
! the people, acquiescing in the location, and
/ the observation was frequent that the selec-
, ton OF any other spot would be an outrage
on the public. Nevertheless. regardless OF
the decision OF the Council and its appa-
rent approval by the people, a persistent
effort is made TO create dissatisfaction
with the location selected, and to cast
discredit upon it. Is it to enhance the
value OF property in another vicinity,
and are correspondents looking more
to private advantage than 10 public good?
The writer o. this article does not charge
/ that they are, and lie insinuates no impro-
per motive or obhquity OF conduct. But
we are all unconsciously under the lnGu
ence OF interest, and our vision is modified
and receives its color from the medium
through which it passes. The argument IN
this ease is based on certain requisites
which are simple and self-eyident. The
situation should be central. Now, tie To-
/ cation of the City Hall lot appears to be
malhomatically in the centre OF the city.
Let us look at the geography Of the city,
and we find it divided into six wards. On
/ the east Of the proposed site are Marshall
and Jefferson Wards, with IN enterpris-
: ing population contributing a large
revenue TO the city in taxes. The in
habtants Of these wards extend from
| Fulton, near Rockets, TO Thirteenth street.
| TO these should be added Church Hill,
consecrated by tradition and history as the
scene OF mighty events, both in Colonial
and Revolutionary times. From long nut
nicipal neglect this part OF the city is COM
Daratiyely on the wanc. Like Ireland, it
has had government, II not alien in inter-
est, certainly not paternal in affection. But
in consequence OF little fostering care OF
the City Fathers, brighter auspices now
cheer and animate this section OF the city.
New houses have been built. the streets i'm
proved. graded, and curbed, and an i'm
pOrtant avenue is nearly completed, which
fills up rayine heretofore impossible and
makes lots steep and precipitouS fit places
for residences, convenient TO the centre OF
business. On the north, from the dock to
+ A. hal.
Il large population exists. This large area,
while not the abode of the wealthy, is the
habitation Of the operatives, mechanics, Ia
borers. and merchants at the wharyes, the
gas-hOuse, the factories, the market, the
counting-rooms, and stores. These men
NAV be termed the yeomanry OF the city,
the population on which the true greatness
OF a country depends. They constitute
-"thc Nations pride,
Which once destroyed, can never be supplied"
The whole OF this class are much inter-
ested IN the location of City Hall, rs they
are often parties in litigation and furnish
The courts with much OF their civil and
criminal Jurisdiction. The sulIrages OF
this portion OF the city. with great una
nimity, are thought to be in favor OF the
old site for the Ciiy Hall. II would be
selected by all OF jefferson and Marshall
Wards, and probably by most OF Jackson.
No objection should be expected from
Madison Ward on account Of centrality.
IL will be practicallyas as convenient to Mon
roe and Clay Wards as the Swan-Tayern
lot.
Having disposed OF all objection to the
old City-Hall lot on the score OF centrality,
let us consider the dimensions Of the site
and ascertain if hall OF imposing proper
tions and sufficient size can he erected on
this space, with Tupper's lot OF &C feet
added. For many years hall OF ample
size for the Hastings Court, the Clerks
office. the Police Court, the AUDITOR
office. and other officials, occupied not more
than one hall OF the LOT belonging to the city.
There was broad alley on the west side va
cant. and on the east, opposite Ford's
Hotel. was yard sufficient for the accom-
mediation of political meetings. The city
contained at that time at least $4,000 or
40 600 inhabitants, and the hall was de-
molished not on the plea Of deficient size,
but from the unfeunded fear that the build
inc was unsafe and liable to fall. Ii Is pro-
posed now to occupy the whole Of the lot,
and Turner's lot OF slXty-siX feet in addi-
tion. This certainly is space enough for n
hall TO accommodate a population greater
than Richmond will contain for the next
century. Judging the rate OF increase in the
future bv what 1t has been in the past. An
other advantage of the location proposed is
that. while il is in the centre OF the city, II
Is surrounded on three sides by large,
airy, clean, and commodious streets. and
is almost in juxtaposition with the street
railway. and hence accessible to all. At
the same time il is withdrawn from the
noise and din Of business inseparabe from
commercial and manufacturing streets.
Tbjs is a matter Of much importance in
forensic. legislative, and judicial proceed
inos. and the administration OF the various
citv offices will be much benefited by the
ouiet and repose inseparable from the old
fity-Uall lot. This is an advantage which
the swan.Tavern lot does notenjoy. 1t is
customary 10 decry and ridicule the orna.
mental and to exaIt the practical and utiIi-
tarian. Nevertheless, no one builds resi-.
dence without some attempt to adorn the
enyirons and render them attractive with
sbrubbery, grass, and flowers. One great
odvantoge OF the City-lIall lot Is that II
oyerIooks beautiful park-the Square
which contains the Capitol, the Governors
house. beautiful slopes and grades and
travelled walks, refreshed by fountains Of
Il. ~~.rxt