Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-07-23
The GoverUm ont Building.

iue amount OF space In the GLoRE. REpII
/, Lie OF last Sunday, devoted to the subject ,
the location OF the Government postoffc
building, shows a wonderful interest In III
+, matter IN certain quarters, aud that this in
terest 's of personal character appears plain
ly on the face OF their writings. The large
portion OF this "fre along tho line," is level
ed at the locatioD--corner of High and SpriuI
streets, showing that that location is one bsv
ing qnalitiesdangerously superior to all others
Hence the combined effort to find objection
to ii.
One OF these objections is standard, hsyinp
been use-worn ms an argument against the To-
cation OF the courthouse on tina, lot. viz
that "yon must climb bill to get 10 IT,"
have known persons TO look ont for an elevated
position tor locating even n dwelling house tc
say nothing about the superior reasons for such
location of public building. But there is
but one example upon record where hollow
was selected rs a site for n public building,
In preference to lands lying higher, and
beautiful for stuation-and that one ia the
location OF the court house in this city. And
now 1t Is the common opinion OF the citizens
of Springfield and of this county, that the
location CT the court house was a mistake
not TO say a blunder.
But let us see how much there is in this
hill-cmbing matter. Spring street is Ii, tie
less than sixteen teet higher than Limestone
stone street, which gives rise OF legs
than one-helf inch to the foot,
The rise is regular and easy.
Main street is twenty four feet higher than
Columbia. But the same hill objection was
raised against the location of the court house
on the Jail lot. suppose this was from the
TACT that it is easier going down hill than On.
forgetting that being at the TOO, OF the h,lI
necessitates climb in return. In other
words, the hill business 10 a desperate effort 10
IND objections when none exist. A hill "a
feet high in the one case was nothing. but in
the other l6 feet was barrier not to be over.
come. And this fact Of the elevation, instead
OF being an objection, is q high compliment,
70 the location, implying that the building
couin not be shut out from view, tsit could
be seen for miles in every direction. And II
the elevations were much greater II would
make little difference, since the mascot tao
postotiice business is now done through the
public carriers. The Sunday editor shows n |
strong personal preference for the Mako, |
Square, aud says that 90 per cent. Of the |
population oppose the location on the |
jail lot. And aver that the opinion |
is unanimous, that the quality OF the grounds |
OF the latter is without parallel. The nut.
ting IN OF the foundation for this buildiny on
the JAIL lot would not cost 10 per cent. of
what 1t would cost on any OF the locations
recommended by the Sunday editor.
1t is well understood that the publication,
OF last Sunday We're intended to Influence
the Judgment of the commissioners appointed
by the Government to select a site. pre-
sumo that commission will be governed by
the following considerations:
First-lt may be taken sd settled that one
hundred thousand dollars Is all that the Gov
will expend at Springfield, In the
purchase OF site, and the erection Of a buiG-
ing for the postoiice. An appropriation for
a Government building where there is no
nited States Court or Custom House il
without example, and it was well I'M
aerstood at the time Of the passage
ot the bill, that this should not stand as
precedent for further appropriations of ike
character.
Second. To erect suitable building. one
that will be an ornament to the civ viii
necessarily consume the large part of the sum
10 appropriated, under the most favorable cir
;umstahoes as to site; and it will not do.
therefore, TO place the building on a site that |
n itseit VII! cost large part Of the same,
ma In addition another large part TO obtain
ohd foundations on which tD build
lhird. The center OF business and popu-
ation Is now conceded to be the suuare |
pounded by High, Main, Limestone and Mar
iet streets. No saitable site can be obtained !
N this square or ticlng it. Tue Parsons lot
he old jail lot, and other sites Indicated. are 4;
ach about one square from that business .
enter.
Fourth. As to the old Jail lot, there is
nple space, no trouble AS to II solid iounJs-
ion, at the least possible cost, aud site such
hat the building would be visible from nearly
il parts of the city, and in several directions
Or many. miles in the country. Ia fact, no
ner location for public edtice can DO found '
n any town in Ohio. a
Filth. The Market Square, or its vicinity,
low and fiat, and rs all the older iuhab-
ants know, 10, beneath the surface, but little
eiter than IA morass. And to erect a build.
lg in that vicinity would require the expen-
iture OF sum tor substantial foundation.
nat the amount of appropriation will not :,
lstify.
Sixth The price of the site itself would u
course be consideration, but ought not |
be a controlling one. And as to that | "
ave no data. ! do not suppose. however, -
lat anyone would be disposed 10 mako the V,
nited States donation, but If that were so ol
would he suspicious circumstance indicat- 81
g that the donor was influenced by personal
asons rather than the public good Ia
merely suggest these points: the main ii
ing to be achieved is, to &c. the best we can tr
ON this appropriations building TO which y,
can point with pride, and one which will n,
, all things considered, rs convenient az ars
acticable 10 the general public M
The commission, ! am sure, will not take
TO consideration the desire OF any lard-
vner to get good price tor his property,
n will they consider any site with reference RI
any benefit which its selection might con- %
upon any adjacent property owner; but al
view OF the sum appropriated, apd the in a. n
rest OF the common public, as well as the L.
'vernment, make such selection as shall be T.
se Ell g
Mrs. Rev. 5. 8. Waltz, OF Louisville, Ky,