Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-11-19

140 feet to Oak avenue The price
paid by the Government was $50, ,000
Subsequently it was deemed highly desir-
able to secure another lot of 40 by 140 feet
this on the east, as ii would give
additional security from fire. better venti-
lation for the building, improve the facili-
ties for handling the mails, and give an
opportunity for ornamental grounds.
Bishop Manogue signifed willingness to
sell this lot for $4,000, provided it was to
be used for this purpose, and the Govern
ment would signify its acceptance before
the adjournment of Congress. In order to
secure the lot Postmaster R. D. Stephens
S. P. Smith and Joseph Steffens made a
conditional purchase of it, and paid the
$40, 600, with the understanding that it was
to be decided to the Government if the pur-
chase was approved, and returned to the
Bishop if not accepted. The Secretary of
the Treasury has announced his approval
of the purchase, but the deed has not vet
passed to the United States.
The date of commencing work on the
new building has not yet been announced
but it is presumed that it will not be dis
tant, as the plans have all been approved
The Supervising Architect is evidently ex-
ercising great caution, and intends that the
work shall be of the most substantial char
acter. He sent on here for samples of the
earth fifteen feet below the surface. Pits
were dug to that depth, the earth boxed up
and forwarded to Washington.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING.
The new Postoffice building is situated
on the northeast corner of X and Seventh
streets. with main front on K street. The
general dimensions of the building are 112
feet on X street by 80 feet on Seventh street,
and on plan it consists of the two wings,
two stories high, and central pavilion
three stories in hight, with tower 20 feet
square, rising 80 feet from sidewalk, on
K-street front. The building is designed in
the Italian Romanesque style, and is
deemed well adapted 10 meet the various
conditions of climate, ETC., arising from the
location. The basement walls will be of
rock-faced ashlar backed with brick The
water-table, lintels and steps will be fine
cut work. The building above water-table
will be of brick. relieved with stone arches,
quoins and sill course at first story, and
terra Gotta arches, quoins and carved band
courses at second story and upper portions
of tower. The main cornice and carved
frieze will also be of terra Gotta. The roof
will be covered with ribbed tile, terra Gotta
hip and ridge rolls and finals. The square
lines of tower front will be broken by
circular turret springing from carved
stone corbel at the level of the fifth floor
of tower.
The basement story is ten feet six inches
high, and will contain the heating appa-
ratus, ample space for storage of fuel and
the water closet accom- m odations for III O
Postofiice employees. besides other rooms
affording large storage space for Postoffice
material.
The frst floor is devoted entirely to the
use of the Postoffice. and contains a Post
masters room 16xl6 feet, with fre-proot
vault attached; room for railroad mail
clerks, money order and registry, with
vault, large vault for storage of stamps.
ETC., snd the Postoffice working room
proper, which contains $500 square feet.
The main entrance will be from h street
through large and handsome archway to
the tiled public lobby ten feet six inches
wide. This lobby is separated from the
Postofice working room by screen contain
ing the necessary delivery, stamp and pack
age windows, the letter drops and lock-
boxes. There is also an entrance from
Seventh street to the tiled stair hall, where
a handsome stairway of easy rise and five
feet six inches wide leads to the second and
third stories.
The second floor contains ample accom-
modatiO1s for the use of the Collector of
Internal Revenue and the Land Office. be-
sides store-rooni, a lavatory and toilet
room for ladies.
The third floor of the cen ter pavilion con-
ains large dofn-tory for railroad mai.