The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-22
SWAN TAVERN THE CHEAPEST.
A Statement Showing that the Old
City-IIall Lot will Cost More
Than the Other.

The following is from Il well-informed
member Of the Council:
A writer in your paper Of the 18th hav
ing demonstrated that the lot on Broad be-
tween Eighth and Ninth streets was the
most commanding, most available, most
convenient, most economical. and one
which, II built upon, would add thousands
OF dollars TO the value OF contiguous pro-
perty. member OF the committee under
takes to reply, and, instead OF answering
the arguments. challenges only the state
ment that the committee" having spoken,
there could be no change. He further puts
i'm three weak pleas against the lot. which
are hardly worth consideration, and says
"The old site claims three commanding
views-cool, quiet, and beautiful, little
more than square from the main artery
OF the city, bought and paid for"
That the Swan-Tayern lot" is nor
commanding is evident TO any one who will
trouble himself to view the situation. It
does not admit OF argument that it is rs
cool as its rival that it is more beautiful
follows from its being more commanding.
Therefore its quietness is the only point in
which its rival eXcels it, Now, is perfect
quiet desirable! l. the City Hall to be the
place OF business for the city, and will our
city fathers show more tact and experience
in choosing business. stand for themselves
than one for the city! l. the comfort and
convenience OF the Council to be the chief
aim in selecting site, and are all other
considerations to be excluded! Who
would select Il business-stand because for
sooth it was quiet?
But the idea OF those having the Swan
Tavern lot in view is to recess the building
on that lot at least forty feet from the street
line, which would give it as much quiet
ness as is desirable, and at the same time
place il Immediately on and not Zone and
a half squares from the main artery OF the
city"
The old site is not "bought and paid
for.v On the contrary, DR.. Tupper's pro-
perty has to be acquired, and that gentle
man does not want to sell. He has pur-
chased home, and desires TO remain I'M
disturbed, and probably the only way his
property can be acquired is by condemns
ton, which is almost the equivalent OF
Wrestling a home from worthy citizen.
Then some time in the future the church
property" will be found necessary; rest
assured Of it! The City Hall will hardly
be commenced before a cry will 90 up for
the condemnation OF the church for the
purpose OF embracing the whole square.
Now, the congregation has freely and
candidly expressed their wishes. They
have entreated the Council to let them
alone. They cannot move without serious
injury. and their wishes should be re-
spected, and they should not be injured
while no great necessity exists.
But suppose this view should not pre-
vail; then that property would also have
to be acquired, and it cost the congreSa-
tlon SD, ,0OO-almost as much us the whole
SQUARE fronting on Broad street can be
purchased for-and even then that site
would not compare fayorably with the old
Swan-Tayern lot.
Indeed, the chairman OF the Committee
on Grounds and Buildings is well known
to favor the adoption Of plan susceptible
OF extension in the future, so as to cover
the church lot.
Let not narrow views or sectional feel
ings enter into this question. 1t Is one In
which the entire city, present and pros
pectiye, has a vivid interest, ana on which
| il is to be hoped that some OF our oldest,
influential, and muchly-travelled citizens
will present their views over their sigma
| tures.