Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-12-16
THE VIEW Posr- OFFICE.
Ninth sauld Sb.piey Accepted by the
ssoverntnenG nj $4,000.


GsovermHsent aa $4,000.
The new post-office site has been Be-
leoted. The suspense is over and the
spot is the Lafayette Hotel property, at
Ninth and Shipley streets. The recon-
the Treasury by Supervising Architect
promptly approved by the secretary and
the owners in this city notified of the
fact Nothing remains TO be done but TO
make tue search of title and then consum-
ate the sale of the property to tho gov
ernment. The owners, or their agent,
Victor dupont, Esq, made no mention of
the action of the government officials,
and il did not leak out until yesterday
Congressman Lore was informed of the
aotiun when he went down TO Washington
last Monday TO attend the opening Of the
Congressional session.
The property at Ninth and Shipley
streets, which thus becomes the site of
the new post.offioe of Wilmington, belongs
to the heirs of the late John Bradley. II
was offered to the government for this
purpose through Victor dupont, Esq for
@45 900, which was the lowest figure on
the list for any of the properties near
Market street. 1t has a frontage Of 13l
feet on Shipley street and IT'S feet IL
inches on Ninth, extending to Orange
street. The price stated and the location
near the main street caused the supervis-
ing architects attention TO be cancen-
trated upon this property. Some time
ago the owners here were notified that If
they would scale down their price 70
$50, 900 the supervising architect wouli
recommend it. After consideration it was
decided to do SO, land the government titus
gets tho site for $50, ,00O.
The above price for the ground will
leave 8 I20,U 900 of the $3.50, 900 appropria-
tion for the building. This is supposed
to have been the strong argument with
the government for the acceptance of the
4ite. The opinion is expressed that the
supervising architect intends to make an
effort TO bring the building within the
appropriation. The news WAS received
this morning with all kinds of express
sions. many of disapproval. There is q
strong sentiment against the choice on
the part of many people, which is reflected
in the declaration of public official who
said ~ thinh it is an outrage. The
desire OF the public was to have the post
Office on Market street. II it can't be put
on Market street there is no reason to
change IL from its present location.
King street is business street.
Shipley street is an alley.
and no more fit to have the building
located upon it than SAMSON or Filbert
street, in Philadelphia, would be. The
talk about price is all bosh. The govern
ment can spend SO, ,000, 900 for post-of-
fee in Philadelphia, and then comes to
us with paltry $150,000. / think the
public should express itself in the matter.
A meeting should be called and some
force and earnestness be put into it-an
indignation meeting, if necessary" The
idea of locating the building on any but
Market street site acted at first like a
shock upon nearly everybody spoken to,
but as the matter was considered great
many people were found who took rather
kindly to the place chosen, and put their
criticisms very mildly. The opinion
was expressed by different parties
that the site is q good
one, with the advantages that it is all one
estate, and that 1t is not built up, thus
saving trouble and expense Of two kinds.
While ii is pretty we'll up town, it is
nevertheless quite central aud in the
direction toward which business is tend
ing. II is an advantage to the letter-car-
rierp 20 ntart from point from which all
routes are either on level or down
grade, and it will bring the United States
courts and the State conrts into con-
venient proximity. With the present
system of delivery it makes but little diff
ference where the office is located so far
as convenience is concerned, provided ii
| ia not an unreasonable distance from the
business centre.
as TO the amount OF the appropriation,
the opinion was about unanimous that it
was too small to put up building such as
Wilmington ought to have. Comparison
was made by one man with the appro-
priation for q public building in Read
ing. He said 1.-THE original appropria-
iion for that city was $3.50, 900 and the
Secretary of the Treasury has recon-
mended $100, 900 more. And they'll get
it, too. And that is simply for post
office building. They have no
customs office, no internal revenue
office, no Uniued States court,
or marshal. Their town is country
way station, but they get the money. The
people of Wilmington seem 10 be afraid
to ask for anything, and the newspapers
are asleep on the question. We should
have sufficient money to put up build
ing that would answer for the needs of the
city for SO years at least. That would be
true economy There's no economy in
$3.50, 900 building. It cost the govern
ment $50, 600 for the pot-ofiice at Dover.
Are we to be put of with $150, 900? Why
it's folly to say so."
This sentiment seemed very general,
although most of those addressed were
not so outspoken as this man. The loca-
tion is settled, but the chance for an in
creased appropriation is not gone, and it
seemed to be the opinion that strong
and united push should be made for
larger appropriation. The subject is up
permost for the day, at least.
The heirs of John Bradley and owners
of the Lafayette site are Mrs. Mary A.
Magee Of No. 513 West street, this city
Mrs. Annie J. Callahan of Philadelphia I;
Mrs. Norris Wilson of Christians hun
dred, near Sharpley's school-house; and
the children of j. s. Brady of Nc. SOC
Washington street, this oity. United
States District Attorney Patterson is now
engaged in searching the title deeds.
Possession cannot be obtained until the
25th OF next March.
The post office location is still the most
interesting topic with the public. A public
official Saturday morning said: 81 find more
people satisfied with the location than had
expected. / guess this is because
they have made up their minds
to be satisfied because the fact that the
building will go there is inevitable. WANTED
the building put on Market street, and
think any man OF taste who wished TO
seq fine public Improvement made
Of the building would agree with me. The
question OF the difference of cost OF the
property ought never TO have been given
any reason to comeup There should have
been enough money appropriated to buy
Market street site, no matter what the price
of property on that street"
The plans for the new building are said
to have been made. though they have never
been exhibited In this city. The supervis-
ing architect, 1t Is stated made the plans
with a view of putting up $l20, 900 build.
Ing before he WAS sure that he would
have that much Of the appropriation avail
able, after the purchase of the site. 1t is
said the plans call for two stories and q
basement, and that the ground dimensions
will be 100 by 80 feet.
S~
A Sudden Death.