The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-04
AFTER THE ARCHITECTS.
JOINT SESSION OF THE CITY COUNCIL,
Discussion Of the Plans of the Proposed New
City Hall-Three Plans Considered-AII
Talk and No Cider-Ali the Plans With
drawn-No Session OF the Common Council.


City Hall-Three Plans Considered-AIi
Talk and No Cider-All the Plans With
drawn-No Session OF the Common Council.
a Joint meeting OF both branches OF
the City Council was held yesterday eve-
ming at 3 o'clock-present Mr.. Base,
president OF the Board OF Aldermen /;
Mr.. Ellyson, president OF the Common
Council, and the following members OF the
Board OF Aldermen: Messrs. Barksdale,
Burwell, Cabell. Chaflin, Cohen. Crump,
Dickerson. Duflield. Glasgow, Peasants.
Powers, Rankin, Taylor, Todd, Welliord,
Williams; OF the Common Council: Messrs.
Adams, Allen, Archer, Bahen, Bowie,
Brauer, Campbell, Clarke, Curtis, Elicit,
Frischkorn, Gum, Hargrove, Hayes, Hig-
gins, Hooper, Hughes, King, Metzger,
Miller, Patton, Phillips, Pizzini, Randolph,
Rose, Straus, Turpin, Weisiger.
Mr.. Bass took the chair, and the clerk
read the minutes, which were approved.
The clerk read a communication from
Buildings calling for a Joint meeting Of
The Council to take steps regarding the de-
signs for the new City Hall.
The President explained that the Coun-
ell could only confer. and not legislate.
Mr.. Williams, chairman OF the Commit
tee on Grounds and Buildings, stated that
the committee presented three plans. The
vote of the committee was explained also
the failure TO adopt Mr.. Myers's plan,
which was unaccompauied by an estimate.
This caused his plan TO be dropped. The
test then fell upon Messrs. Yost & Muir
docks plan and Mr.. McheOns, first and
second choice respectively. Mr.. Myers's
plan did not include the finishing OF the
upper stories OF the building, but Mr..
Williams and the committee thought it
best to bring all thrce Of the plans before
the Council instead Of Two, as was re-
quired, and leave the Council TO select
from the three.
TIE YOsT PLAN.
Mr.. Yost was invited TO explain his plan,
and did so. The adaptabiIity, the construc-
ton. and tho appearance Of the building
were the points dwelt upon by Mr.. Yost,
who is very clever and clear speaker. His
building, among other things to he said in
its favor, is firC-proof. The style Is English
classic or English Renaissance. Mr.. Yost
guaranteed that the building would not
cost over 100000. lie was positive in this
statement, and was willing TO give bond TO
this effect. The architects commission is
included in this estimate. The usual
charges Of architects were from to per
cent. 1t would take about two years 10
erect building OF the kind mentioned.
Mr.. Yost stood aside.
THE MYERS PLAN
Mr.. Myers then took the floor i'm order
to explain his plan. He Is Il young man.
His father was not able TO be present
He said his father was willing TO put
United States bonds in bank as a guarantee
that his plan would como within the limits
of the appropriation, and that no money
would be demanded until the work was
completed. His building would be fire.
proof, and could be built Of pressed brick
or granite either The material was to he
fire-proof, and the building well ventilated
and heated by steam, the latter included
in the 100000 appropriation.
Mr.. M'KEON's PLAN.
Mr.. McKeon, OF Chicago, next explained
his plan, which was awarded the second
choice by the committee. His building is
shorter and smaller than the other two.
This was explained to be done for the pur-
pose OF allowing an alleyway next TO the
church on the old City-Hal-lot site and
giving an entrance on four sides OF the
building. This building. like the rest. is
to be well ventilated and proof against fire.
Mr.. McKeon was willing to give security
for the building OF the hall for the sum OF
S2S4, 900, not including his fees OF pei
cent. for services rs supervising architect.
The main building is 20 feet TO the top OF
the walls. 1872 feet to the top OF the dome,
and can be built entirely OF granite at the
price named. All four sides are exactly
alike.
The architects retired, and the Council
proceeded to discuss the merits OF theiI
plans.
TALK ABOUT THE PLANS.
Mr.. Curtis moved to adjourn, but hi,
motion was lost.
Mr.. Todd thought the business Of the
conference should be dispensed.
Mr.. Williams took the floor to explain
the action Of the committee. He showed
why the Myers plan was not accepted
The estimate at first made was S33O,OOO
Now il was proposed TO bring it within the
$500. 600 appropriated. Mr.. Williams pro-
cceded TO attack the Myers plan further
when he was interrupted by MIR. Todd
who declared that "this was not fair
"AIl right" said Mr.. Williams, "Fl
leave that for you all to decide
He then proceeded TO criticiSe the fost
plan. Dointing out as defects lack OF light
iuadaptability Of the Auditors and Treasu'
rer's offices, and failure OF the Cnancery'
Court room and offices 10 meet the end de-
sired.
Mr.. Williams explained that this was hi'
individual opinion, not the opinion OF tht
committee. When he reached the Me
Keon plan, his remarks were favorable
and brief. He admitted that the defects
i'm the Myers plan were Of such small char
acter that they could be Obyiated.
Mr.. Clarke moved to adjourn, but with
drew it,.
Considerable confusion ensued, but the
Chair finally secured order.
Mr.. Todd got the floor, and begged thai
patience govern the meeting and that the
CITY Engineer be allowed to speak.
Colonel Cutshaw took the floor, and said
that he was Superintendent OF Grounds
and Buildings. In the schedule nothing
was said about architects fees, and 1t wa,
distinctly understood that no plan would
be received unless its cost came within
the amount appropriated, $500, 900
When the committee met he submit
ted his criticism before any plan wa
adopted. The committee decided by bal
lot. and the Myers plan was adopted. Ther
IL was seen that the Myers plan did moi
come within the appropriation. and 1t wa'
dropped. Then the ballot gave the prefer
ence TO Yost and the next choice TO Mckeon
II was his understanding that the Myers
plan was the choice OF the committee. H'
thought the floor plan and interior ar
,,.Nt,II ho sonnet hin ID