The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-21

Objections 10 the.Swan Tavern Lot
stated by Member OF tho
Building Committee.

The discussion OF the proper site for the
proposed new City Hall continues TO excite
interest. A member Of the Council Com
mittee ON Grounds and Buildings furnishes
the following plea for the old City Hall lot
as the best place for the new building to
rest upon. He says:
"An article appeared recently in which IL
was stated that while the people and Coun-
ell desired 4 change OF site, the Committee
on Grounds and Buildings had spoken
with solemn dictum, and there could be no
change. Such is not the fact. Three OF its
members desire the change, while its chair
man and another member oppose IL; but
tits questionable whether the people and
Council want the change. AT least, those
who oppose any change have the odds in
their favor. With remarkable unanimity,
both branches, on the recommendation OF
the committee, adopted the site and rati-
fed their action by not sustaining the
Mayors veto. This agitating power be-
hind the throne will scarcely cause any
change now. inasmuch.as 1t will require
two-thirds vote to reconsider under the
rules. But aside from that, olir able engi-
neer deals in futures too largely, and il
may have the same effect upon this corpo-
ration that it has recently had upon indi-
viduals, because no one supposed that,
as q people. we will be content to have
that beautiful building contemplated
parallel with dark alley and all its
attendant nuisances, annoyed during the
day with three hundred school-children
at recess, when we remember how irrita-
ting the few at home are, when we are en-
crossed with business. Many lofty flights
OF rhetoric are lost now in Council session
by the din and tumult OF passing vehi-
cles, and when we consider the ceaseless
jangle OF street-cars and vehicles on the
spalls now being placed there it will require
barricades to prosecute the Council work.
We all know the difference between the
city selling its property and purchasing
that branch Of the subject is well under
stood. The old site claims three COM
manding views; cool, quiet, and beaut-
iu little more than a square from the
main artery OF the city, accessible to the
cars, boughtnnd paid for. and it does seem
as il a dispensation had been fortunately
bestowed upon us in such possession;
and II is hoped that il the change is made
it will be done after its friends have stub
bornly contested every inch OF the ground"
II Is no doubt true, as stated by the
writer above, that in the present aspect OF
affairs it requires two-thirds' vote to re-
consider, but is it not true that the Council
can repeal any ordinance or resolution, or
part thereof, by majority vote!
APPEAL TO TIE PEOPLE.
The following is from one OF the best
known citizens OF Richmond; but it may
be doubted il the time for the action he sug-
gests has yet arrived. The fact is the cOun-
clmen have shown no disposition what
ever to avoid responsibility in the premi-
ses, and will no doubt do their duty salts
factorily:
There evidently seems to be in the pub
lie mind a change going on in favor OF the
selection OF Broad, Eighth, and Ninth
streets over that of the former location.
Would it not he wise for the Council,
before letting out the contract TO build
on the present site, to afford the people an
opportunity to express their opinion at
the polls? This would give general salts.
faction. The enlarged front on Broad be-
tween Eighth and Ninth streets, besides
other circumstances, speaks favorably for
q change.
The views OF Colonel Cutshaw are en-
titled to great weight. Let the question
be freely discussed in order that the ques-
ton of location may be finally determined,
so that no regrets may be INDUCED in
hereafter.