Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1889-07-01
FEDERAL BUILDING.
New Mexico officials Of the National
Government Enter their
New Quarters.
A Structure with a Hi9tory- Description
of the Fine Building aud
Grounds.

The United States government building
at Santa Fe was occupied on Thursday
for tho first time by the officials. Col
McGrorty had orders to move the col
lector's office before July | , and the other
| federal officers have begun to pack up
their movables to enter permanent gov
ernment quarters after torty-t"o years Of
tramping from one building to another
in Santa Fe since the American army
took possession of the capital city.
This federal building, though just COM
pleted, has history reaching back to the
civil war. The loyalty of the New Mex
lean people and the efficient service Of
their volunteer troops in the war OF the
rebellion were sufficient to secure the
original appropriation for its erection.
| Having fallen into the hands OF dishonest
contra ors its walls, rough and unsightly,
carried up only TO tie second story. re-
manned dishonor to the government
and annoyance to the citizens OF the to-.
ritory till last year. In its state OF
neglect and ruin it was utilized fCs the
Tertio-Milenial exposition by the addi-
ton OF a temporary roof, windows, floors
and partitions.
1t was subsequently assigned to the use
oil the United States Indian bureau for the
government Indian school by Secretary
Lamar, through the efforts OF Prof. Ladd.
The orders from the interior department
| L., ,tp., Ial pgkn In
strenuous exertions of Hon. Anthony
Joseph had secured the appropriation for
the rebuilding and completion OF this now
beautiful structure, which excels in its
| architectural proportions and chaste or
namentation any building in the territory.
1t is satisfactory in its outward appear
ance byth in style and color. The solid
gray limestone is adorned with cut Ger
rillos sandstone, water tables, trieze and
window copings of lighter shade. The
entrances on the east, south and west are
very tasteful, with Doric pillars and steps
Of finely cut stone. The building, two
stories high and basement, is covered
with hip roof OF slate, and ornamented
with wei designed cornice.
Being heated with steam works in the
basement, which have just been inspected
by an agent from Washington, it has but
one large chimney, and the structure
strongly resembles a temple OF the severe
Dorc-Grecian architecture, which the
architect, Freret, has closely followed.
The shape and proportions Of its roof are
nearly those of the Acropolis at Athens.
The extensive grounds Of this govern
ment reservation, containing six acres, in
which the federal building stands, have
been perfectly graded, laid out in drive
ways and walks and furnished with TWEEN
ty-four hydrant pipes from the city water
works lor the cultivation of beautiful
park. 1t is entirely surrounded with a
solid Cerrilos stone wall surmounted by
plain but massive iron fence.
In front of the south entrance stands
the monument to Kit Carson, OF dark red
sandstone, gilt to the territory from !
Senator S. W. Dorsey. The wide avenue
encircling the park will become one Of |
the most popular drives in the city, being
nearly half mile in length. :
the interior is plainly finished with |
hard pine floors, painted trimmings and
white walls. The west end Ii occupied,
in the second story, by the spacious Unit
entire floor is assigned for the rooms of
the U. S. district attorney, clerk of the
supreme court, grand and petit juries, U.
S. marshal and their deputies.
On the first floor the U. S. collector
offices occupy the southeastern division,
the land receiver and register Offices the
southwest, and the surveyor general
Offices the entire northern half division.
The building is but psi tally furnished.
The new furniture for the supreme court
and all the offices will not arrive till Oc-
tober. - II
AT present Col. McGrorty, the Gus
todian, and his deputies, with the janitor
wv. T. Guyer) and his family, are the &C.
cupants of this structure, which soon
will be the scene Of the United States
business, in court, land and collectors Of.
fees, increasing so rapidly with the devel-
opment OF New Mexico that ere long it
will be thronged with visitors, officials
and anxious seekers for justice, home.
steads and licenses for the federal bust
ness Of the coming new state Of New
MeYicO