The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-20
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
VARIOUS ropaCs DISCUSSED BH
THE PUBLIC.
TIE City.Han Question.

In0 N8WSsahOns
TIE PROPOSED LOCATIONS DISCUSSED.
To TIE Editor Of the Dispatch:
II IA evident that much interest Is Eel
about the location OF the new City Hal
and a Il IA q matter about which we nee'
not display impatient haste, all should b
heard, and ample time taken TO reach tn
real sentiments Of the great body OF tn
tax.payers, and 10 secure the best pos
sible lights on the subject. II would
be fortunate indeed IL little delay should
result In securing enduring advantage
a. 70 location and architectural convent
ence and symmetry OF structure. Certaini,
the greatest time should be given for elab
orate discussion OF the subject, and espe
cially should we listen long and weigh wei
the views of those who are experienced ~
such matters. IL would, to the citizens al
large, for the ordinary business they vii
have with the City Hall, make very littl'
odds where the City Hail Is placed, 50 thai
Il Il measurabiy central and accessible, anC
due regard 10 economy Ia had. Two
squares east or west. north or south, OF the
old location IL OF little moment II conve
nienoe, access, and economy Is regarded
The Swan-Tavern lot IL, as the present
EIIctS~CdIS Iuus liltft dtNtcoaOis
than the present or old site. The perspec.
tive of the old lot would be the best, per-
haps, N the Presbyterian church were out
OF the way.
As to the comparing ii advautsgeously
with new State Capitol, and taxing the
brains OF the whole people about the archi-
tecturn beauty that Is to be impressed
on IL, all this Is OF little moment 10 men OF
n Ill, fo~y
payers. We have beauty enougb-and a
great deal more than we have had need TO
pay for-and the people OF the State may
exslt their dignity and vanity In the gran
deur OF a new Capitol as much, as they
please to our detriment in comparison
with our City Hall, whatever II may be.
We can stand II.
Broad street being wide, the perspective
Of the City Hall, II located there, would not
be bad; but II we are going for perspective
the old lot would, With the church out OF
the way, be best, as we said before. But
what is the use OF talking about perspec-
tive, and even architecture with 1t, II we
are to pay unduly for themS A plain, SUBJ
stantial structure would be more becoming
The grand dssidsrata are durability, con-
vsuisncs, economy, indestructibility, and
centrally. II, with these considerations,
~ ezn favor the Swan-Tsvern lot we
should 20 for that There IL nothing bal.
lowed about the old hall lot. The hallowed
part OF II WIS the old structure after the
modal furnished BY Mr.. Jefferson; but as
that hAs been torn down, there remains
thsrs nothing sacred, 80 to speak.
A. to the State Capitol, 1t Ia good enough
and safe enough for ten generations to
come; and II we had held on to our City
Hau, and simply put a "new hoop 10 the
old bucket" We should be 100000 better
about this business.
holding to the old lot merely because that
has been fixed on II the Swan.Tavern lot
is to cost no more and is more convenient.
Let us take time TO consider the matter II
1t takes even several years TO decide the
question mtelligently and conseryatively.
CHURCH HILL.
VIEWS OF An OLD POGY.
To the Editor Of the Dispatch
/ was one OF the few who voted against
the appropriation Of 100000 for City
Hall, and did so for no other reason than
that feared this sum would have to be
largely increased before the building was
completed. When that vote was cast /
1oubt whether any one Of those who voted
or 1t had any other place In their mind for
he new building than the old site, and
Under the firm conviction that no more
han 100000 should be expended on II. |
Already, In the purchase OF the Topper
premium for plan. &C., that sum
hs.x.
building erected fora City Hall will have to
be erected within this lessened sum, or say
$3.50, 900. II ii should be determined TO
build on the old swan-Tavern lot, an addi-
ional sum will have to be appropriated TO
pay for the property, or else the amount
originally appropriated will have 20 be still
further reduced, and this will not leave
enough to take the hall above, say, the first
story. This, OF course, will never do, and
The first proposition is also impractlcable
FOR the city has so nearly reached It's char
ter limit OF debt that nothing would be left
10 meet any emergency that might arise
which would require immediate action.
Then, again, the Swan-Tavern lot is no
wider than the old site, and the plans
would all have to be changed II it pur-
posed to recede from the street. III built
there, the rear windows would all over
look the alley. the boys entrance to the |
High School, and the place of deposit for
the garbage OF all the houses fronting on
The south side Of Marshall between Eighth |
and Ninth streets. All of us know the |
nolse-making power OF the average small
boy Of Richmond, and many know of the |
disgusting and dlsease-breeding smell OF |
stale garbage, decaying under the influence |
Of the summers sun.
There are other reasons for retaining the |
old cite for our new City Hall. but pre- |
sumo that have written enough to make !
some Of those who wish the change dub |
zoe for want of better answer an
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