Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-12
OUR LOCAL AFFAIRS.


HRe THuUBlE aB0UT CiTY HALL
psaas ssd nwstaess Lssser from Arehiseet
ulssrs As&ias that shs Csmnissee medifs
xn<is Advertisement
The people It the polls some two years
aeo having given expression TO their desire
Dos new tisy Hall. chsie at the seeming
aelay on the part Of the Council and the
esmmi,tce having the matter In hand. Bui
when We consider the difficulties end re-
spcnsibih,lcs Of such large undertaking
asd the determination OF the Council not TO
involve the city by commencing building
which would eventually cost double the
amount appropriated, we should rather
eommend than ceusure our Representatives.
TIE HISTORY.
A. soon o. possible after the people had
expressed their wishes the Finance Com
msllee provided for the necessary funds.
and the architects through the country
we're potsfled that prizes would be given
Cor the first and second choice Of designs
suT bindings 10 cost not more than $500, 900.
TO prepare these plans took long time.
Last january the first choice fell 20 T.. u.
Myers, OF Detroit, Mich. and second choice
to Mossrs. Yost & Murdoch, Of Cincinnati.
Then arose the discussion OF the site, and
although much time was lost tho people can
congratulate themselves, as II resulted In
the removal OF the church from the square
on which the new hail Is 10 be erected. thus
giving the finishing touches 10 what was
ALREADY considered the finest site for the
purpose In the whole city.
Then the advertisement for contractors
wac inserted. AS this was an irduous ana
important meter. more than two months
was given 10 contractors 10 make all the nice
calculations needed to bid for the work.
Finally, some two weeks ago. the day for
opening the bids srriyed, when. TO the dis
appointment OF the Conncil committee, no
bid wss received for the entire work; nor
had separate bids been put In for enough
Of the several parts 10 determine the cost
Of The proposed building. No bid was
opened, but q conference was held with
the gentlemen present, and an explanation
sought OF the fact that while building ope-
rations throughout the country are slack.
while labor Is cheap and work in demand.
such q Job went begging; and IL was then
developed that Ii was. by most OF those
preseni, deemed impossible 10 build the
10 $500, 900; and II was then determined
thnt either the architect, Mr.. Myers, should
make good his promises and estimates OF
eosf, or the Council be asked 10 proceed
with the second choice. Mr.. Myers was
autographed TO, aud his reply has been pub
lished. He still adhcres to his original
estimates.
Mr.. Myers has gone TO considerable ex-
pcnse In this matter, and says he has ex-
pended over $1,000 on his plane alone. He
has not received one dollar from the city,
and will not until his plan has been accept.
cd by responsible contractor within the
sum Of 100000, which now looks I'M
probable.
Mr.. MYgRs's EXPLANATION.
The following letter has been received
from Colonel +. +. Myers, addressed TO
Mr.. Williams, chairman:
! baye Just returned from the West,
aud find your favor Of the I'd waiting for
me. Permit me to state that am fully
satisfied that the City Hall can be erected
for my estimate, which regard as very
liberal one. Any person just 10 look over
the plans and not take off all the quantities
cannot tell what o structure will cost-that
In only n system OF guessing. have tele-
gfapbed several large contractors to bid on
the work, and as soon as / can hear from
them ] win come direct TO your city. In
the mean time would readyertise. and
have bids 10 be opened on, say, the 18th OF
next month. find several letters now
here from parties who inquired regarding
the job. as they had only Just heard of ii
such as John siddons a Co., Rochester, Y.
T.; Blackwell Il Muller, Salem, Ono, and |
several others; Mr.. Pierce, OF lndianapo-
liz. The latter Is a general contractor and |
Is perfectly responsible, and Is first-ciass
builder.
am satisfied that the amount OF retained /
per cent. should be changed 10 10 per cent.
md the bond to 5000. All this will tend
o reduce the amount Of cost OF the build
ng, as builders do charge more when there
. 70 much retained per cent. and big
bond. Some parties in your city 10y their
Talk scare of bidders, as they do claim that |
Colonel Cutshaw Is so unusually particular, |
and that all the papers are ir0n-clad. The |
Colonel Is not too particular. He Is like
me. having no use fer either boteh workers
or builders. will come to Richmond Just
NJ soon Ms possible-will try to be there on
next Monday, but will nj any rate telegraph
you. Go ahead and readvertise. bur re-
lluce the retained per cent. and bond. In |
! few days will again write you.
Yours truly.
[signed] +. L. MYERS.
/ now know OF several builders who will |
put in bids, as they have just written me
IN the subject.
MR.. PIZzISi's REPLY TO ABOVE.
"In the absence OF Mr.. Williams, chair |
nan. beg to acknowledge yours OF the |
'th.
al will call the committee together and |
nv your letter before II, but / am OF the |
opinion that we will not take another step |
until you make good your contract to fur
nish Government bonds or personal bonds
with approved security that the City Hall, |
IA designed by you, can be erected for the |
sum appropriated for the purpose-yiz.,
$500, 600.
"Competent parties, who have carefully !
gone over the plans. assert that the build !
ing cannot be erected for less than half a
million Of dollars, and probably for not less
then 100000.
1--WE have already delayed this ma
too long, and now will say to you that /.
for one Of the committee (and l believe
l voice The sentiment OF alD, am not willing
to submit 10 further delay and expense
OF rsdyertising on an uncertainty. am
willing TO do 40 only after you have made
good your promise, us before stated; and
unless you do II. and do il at once, ! will !
insist on abandoning your plan and pro-
seeding with the second choice OF the |
Council as RAPIDLY rs possible. II Is then |
advisable for you to come here at once pre- I
pared TO make good your promises.
T "This Is said in no spirit OF uniriendl- |
ness, but am most anxious 10 see the new |
City Hall commenced, and don't propose
to wait another year, dilly-dallying with |
vague and uncertain propositions"
EErDJCn panU rnI, unnu,n