New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-21
THE CUSTOM HOUSE SITE.

VIEWS IMPRESSED BY CHESTER A. ARTHUR
WHEN HE WAS COLLECTOR OF THE PORT
The following letter from the late President
Arthur written In 1873, when he Collector Of
the Port is Of interest at this time, bearing on
the question Of selecting Bowling Green as the
proper site for the Custom House. 1t was
addressed to the then Secretary Of the Treasury:
Custom House, NewYork,
Collectors Once Nov. 8, 1873
Dear Sir: In obeuience TO your request per
relation TO the value OF the present custom House
and the probable cost of obtaining lana LOT new
one adapted TO and commensurate with the lutuIe
Of New \ ork as greaU port OF entry
In seeking for suitable site, the question that
first presents itself is what buildings connected win
me customs revenue it would be advisable 10 EN-
brace either under the same roof or III immediate
Should be the Appraisers store, and pubic store
the receipt OF unclaimed OF general order mer-
Assuming that tho site in contemplation should
supply 81 ace FOR the Custom House, the Appraiser
the following localities have been suggested me
properly bounded by Broadway, Battery race; west
Saa Nor sia f anu and dV BoTng GREEN transmit
L plan showing the precise location ana giving
For the purpose Of Attending more correct idea OF
the relative position of these two sites transmit
sso o, SS COINS of t6e cjty of New YORK in
rl0se also plan of the present Custom House, In
The Site bounded by whitehall-st., state
st. and the Bowling Green Is OF commanding
stone dock and the now Barge Office. IL
presents advantages unsurpassed by any other, and
is In my opinion. the most eligible site in the city
for q Custom House Appraisers Stores and pubic
stores An inspection OF the maps and plans VIII,
do not doubt, cause you to share this opinion.
The three buildings could bS onuguous separate
would be an ornament to this great city, and con-
sidering the past rapid increase OF its commerce.
would not be dspruportiOned 10 the prospective
Increase that NAV reasonably be expected The com
parativey exiguous dimensions OF the edi1ce now
occlpIed we have OutgFOwn in ten years, and are
compelled 10 seek outside accommodations.
I presume the property could be Obtained,
but / am informed that the Government has some
times with the authority of Congress, exercised Us
purposes property az an appraised valuation, which
course might he resoried TO II found necessary. II
A knowledge that the Government desired any par
ticlar Site should become public, II would OF course
enhance the pretcnsions OF the owners thereof /
an, very respectfully and truly yolrsf -
c. A. Arthur, Collector.
The Hon. william a. Richardson.
Even as early as sixteen years ago the action OF
Secretary Window had the Endorsement Of the late
President Arthur who competent to speak on the
subject II is suggested that this letter and other
testimony largely guided Mr. Window in his action
The Act Of Congress authorized the selection of
ste for the Custom House ard the Appraisers Stores
ard required the two to he in the vicinity OF each
other The Custom House Is by Far the moro I'm
IOrtant Of the two buildings. II secretary WINDOW
had selected uptown site for the Appra serS stores
under the law would have been required 10 put the
Custom House i'm the vicinity of IT, and every one VIII
that there is place uptown 50 suitable iOr me
Custom House as the Bowling Green site. In the dis
cusson OF the question the Custom House seems TO
have been lost sight Of, although by far the more
important. The selection of bowling Green conceded
10 he tho hest site for the Custom House. would ne
cessaIily force the App asers Stores downtown. IL
would moi have done 10 have selected the Appraisers
Stores uptown and force the Custom House to follow