New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-13
RCINING A FAMOUS ROOM.
THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IN
FAULT.
ALLOWING THE GovERNoRs ROOM IN TIE CITY

ALLOWING THE GOyERNOR's ROOM IN TIE CITY
HALL TO SUFFER SERIOUS INJURY
In 1880, when Allan Campbell was Commissioner
of Public Works, he expended $l02,7OO for re-
pairs, supplies. and cleaning of public offices and
buildings. Last year, under Commissioner Thomp-
son. $1G0, 2S9 was expended-an increase OF over 90
per cent in three years Yetthe conditioned the Gov
ernOrs Room i'm the City Hall, for which the depart
ment is responsible, is dsgraceful In this room the
special Grand Jury of the Court Of Oyer and
1erminer has been holding its sessions. II IL In
charge of a woman who has had the care or III lot
twelve years 1t is the only large room owned by
the city which can well be used Tor ahY
public reception, and it contains por-
traits of Governors, Mayors, Revolutionary
heroes ald other public men connected with the
history of the city and state. some or these por-
traits cost the city twoor three thousand 90 ilaS
each. and were painted by well-knQwn artists.
The room also contains furniture used by George
Washington. and other valuable relics.
Since Mr.; Thompson become C0mnlsssloheL VI
Public Works the roof of the building has been
allowed to get out of repair and the water IRON,
rains aud melting SHOWS has leaked through anu
ruined the frescoed ceiling: The tresco has peeled
Off in many places, while what remains on, IN
badly dlscolored. Great white blotches are as
closed on the sides OF the TOOn caused by the PANT
premg from the walls. A dirty piece Oh cisot ~
hanging askew one window, and looking as II II
might have been handed down unwashed from ne
days of Washington, IL q reminder thai the WIN
dows once had curtains FortIau5 are PeI
against another on the floor. General McCielah
head peeps over the top of General AndersOns por-
trait, which IN turn is hid by several other PIC
lures General Jackson Is on the floor at one
end of the room and Governor Hoffman at
the other. The walls and picture frames are duIyi
The furniture is old and ragged and the general
appearance of the place is that Of neglected store
room The contrast with the richly decorated
rooms of the Board of Aldermen or the handsome
Office of Commissioner Thompson Is striking. Inc
attendant was asked if she heard any complaint
from visitors.
"Oh, my" she said ait occurs every day. lady
came i'm the other day to show some friends OF hers
who came here from Europe a portrait OF her
father 1t was somewhere on the floor, and the
lady was so mortified that she could not con-
ceal her feelings Many Of the visitors
are people from abroad, and they often say, why
this can't be the Governors Room and it Is hard
to convince them that there Is no mistake about IL.
Commissioner Campbe ell had new carpet put down
and the furniture andpctures cleaned and the walls
frescoed so that the room looked nice. But the
rain has spoiled the ceilings, and there are no cur
tains, and people think it must be store-roOn.
| suppose Commissioner Thompson can't get any
money 70 fix up the ROOM"
Deputy Commissioner Hamm said Yesterday that
the roof of the City Hall repaired at consider
able expense few years ago. during MI Camp
bell's term. Since then the material used has rot
Ted, and it has been repaired from time to time.