The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-18


admiration. They secured the finest emf
nence attainable, looking as well TO conve-
niencc and elegance In their day as to the
future growth OF the city. and, after the
lapse Of century. the wisdom Of their
work stands unqlestioned. The Capitol
is Just where it ought to be. True, II is but
modest crown for so majestic q brow,
but. taken all in all, it is something TO which
we can "point with PRIDE" considering
how it lifts itself above all neighboring
buildings: how noble is its portico. and
how charming are the historical associa-
tions which seem to saturatc every brick
aud nail in the structure.
In erecting City Hall which is not only
to serve present uses, but to descend TO our
children Of one or two hundred years to
come, may we be as successful. May the
wisdom which dictates the choice OF the
site and building plan stand the test OF
time, and be approved by forthcoming
generations, rs we approve our ancestors
choice.
PLEA FOR BREATHING SPACE.
1t Is fast becoming n reproach to Rich
mond that with the amplest room for eX-
pansion. with land and lots really very
cheap, we are ridicuOusly aping the man
ners OF London, Paris. and New York in
crowdiug our best residences together, fill
ing the entire width OF the lots, instead OF
allowing room oh each side for that airing
which our climate makes desirable. II
things 20 on as at present pace il will not
be long before it will be deemed necessary
to do away with front-yards; the front
wall OF the house will be put on the street
line. and then farewell TO the distinctive
beauty OF this city We will be like New
York; yes, Just as much like New York as
little boy with Il long-time-tail coat on Is
like man.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
II our people agree that such condition
would be undesirable and unsuitable
for residences, they will readily conceive
and concede that for public buildings II Is
far more necessary that we should not
sacrifice comfort and beauty for the want
Of a little space. Millions have been spent
here in buildings that were at the time OF
construction manifestly lily located, OF
shockingly crowded upon others, or were
put UP after faulty plans. Let the eXpe-
ricncc Of the past be the lamp to guide our
feet in future enterprises The pity is that
the city did not in 1915, when il acquired
the City-IIall lot from John G.. and Robert
Gamble for S2l, l,90C.G7, secure the entire
square bounded north by Broad. south by
Capitol, east by Eleventh. AID west by
Tenth.
From Broad to Capitol street is 1870 feet ;
from Tenth 10 Eleventh 2iS, whereof the
city OWES 12G feet. lts lot is therefore l2G
by 139. with three ironts-on Broad, on
Eleventh, and on Capitol. There are two
other lots-that on which the First Presby-
terian church stands, on Tenth street, run
ming from Capitol to Broad, G2 feet, and
that on which stands the residence OF Or.
Tupper, adjoining, 60 feet. So the 'front.'
age on Broad and Capitol street is
F;cSstt
City-lall lZt
lbr. Tuppor's ...'''..'..'''''''''' o.
First PRESBYTERIAN church..................... 62
Total frontage. 24e
Depth. 1879 feet.
(The site OF the First Presbyterian church
was formerly occupied by the humble resi-
dence OF Edmund Randolph, second Gov
ernor Of Virginia, and first Attorney-Gen-
cral Of The United States. He afterwards
erected and resided in the house now Dr.
Tupper's.l
tII1 HALL.
The fact that the city paid nearly 1921
for its lot I'm 1915 indicates that the money
must have been paid in war currency. rs
the lot itself could not have been worth
that money in gold, and would not ring I
now.
DR.. Tupper's lot, on which stands his
comfortable residence, might he acquired
for. say at a guess, 100000, and with 1t the
city would have lot lSG by l30 feet. A'
the people voted 100000 for the City Hall
that would leave only S2S0,00O applicable
TO building purposes. To obtain the whole
square would probably reduce the build
inr fund to S2lO,0O0. The church authori-
tieS do not desire to SELL il is doubtful il
the city can condemn, and ii 50, 1t would
not care to exercise that privilege against
church; and again, if the city had the
whole square, S240,000 would hardly be
enough money for the building OF four
front structure.
LOOK AROUND.
Irpon the two thirds OF the square very
LARGE building could be erected; hut to
utilize every inch Of said two thirds you
would have to sacrifice architectural prctcn
sion. Ponicos and wide, spreading steps
are necessary to set of public building
Our custom-hOuse is an example where the
contrary plan preyails-and it is a beauti-
ful buildng-but the architect wisely
odaptcd it to street OF business-houSes.
Had he planned a house to fill a square-to
front on four streets-he would probably
have had on it dome or towers, porticos
and ample steps.
We'll. il is said that we can adopt plan
with four fronts. and build three 'front.'
now. and leave the fourth to Il time wher
ourselves or posterity have enough money
10 buy the church, and to finish the fourtl
or east front.
That Is apparently an easy way out OF th'
trouble: but oh, horror Of horrors, to have
TO look uponan unfinished building for tht
next twenty-five years
That is calamity that must be ayertet
if possible.
A NOTE OF WARNING.
This is to sound note of warning; 4
nut our people on their guard against any
/ plan that will leave a three-front building
on Ills that will iOOE unfinished. 1t may be
possible-it is to be hoped that it is-to ge
a plan that will give us three-front build
| ing susceptible OF additions in the future
but yet quite finished in its appearance fol
the present.
Our Richmond-C College friends have sC
handsomely finished their building. and il
looms up in the West End so grandly nOlc
/ they will pardon the remark that it lods
fearful example OF what an eye-sore grea
public building may be, waiting for tn,
| finishing touch to be put on in the shape o
Il wing.
From a City Hall two-thlrds done goo(
! Lord deliver us t.!
So much said, the rest may be left will
the Council.
PLANS AND POPULATION.
As for plans: No man ever made any
/ thing by building after cheap plan. Tn,