Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-12-15
: cHIcAeo,s PosT-oFFIcE.
An Architectural WRrt, Whose Demolition
Will Cause No Tears.


Will Cause No Tears.
Those who have become attached to
the dignified and colossal pile known as
to see it go, but, writes Bill Nye in tho
Chicago Herald, there are many who will
no doubt control their grief without diff
6culty, for it can hardly be called beau
tiful, even If it could stand up by itself.
The style is of the Dutch Renaissance,
with Etruscan gables and real cracks in
the ceilings. Starting out apparently
with the idea Of being foundry, it
groped around among tie architectural
nightmares of the past and secured
style of roof which gives to the beholder
dull pain in the neck. Changing its
mind after fooling with the more medic
val rolling mill order of architecture, the
imposing pile certainly succeeds in cap
ping its climax with adelirium of Gothic
do-funnies and architectural wens,
which, though well fitted to mark the
final resting place of the dead letter,
does no credit to the irrepressible and un-
daunted spirit Of progress which flashes
in the eye of the Chicago real estate
agent AS it is now, danger to human life
is added to the feeling of revulsion which
is aroused by the tough and rocky aspect
OF the building. 1t stands in the midst
OF beautiful and massive structures to-
day measly monument of mans cupid
ity and poor taste. 1t is not even pic
turesque ruin, but some day will offend
the sight and crush out the life of people
who are ill-prepared to die. There are
architects who have lucid, bromide in
tervnls, but the Chicago post-oflce and
custom house were not tho result of such
an interval.
Some bright autumn day or early in
the spring when the soft south wind
steals up from Egypt and kisses the
cheeks OF the girls on Prairie avenue or
meanders through the young whiskers
OF her tiance; just as the frost is heav-
ing out Of the ground; some fine morn
Ing as the postmaster is stamping the
outgoing mail for Waukegan he will hit
some letter an extra lick and there will
be cloud of dust, the funky odor of the
dead letter, the roar Of settling walls
and c. bling battlements and then
the Chicago post-offico will be no moro.
So wabblyare the walls, ] am told, that
the slightest ipr may seriously affect
them. Even 6s1sudden settlement of
an account might precipitate the terri
BILE calamity The Federal building oc-
cupies one of the most desirable sites in
the city. and yet 1t is constant menace
to human life and assault and battery
upon the good taste of the people
1t is the deformed and club-footod
offspring of disordered brain and a
sad commentary upon mans appetite
for the hard-earned dollars of
the United States. 1t marks an era in
the history of the country when Satan
lid aside his own work and Just fol-
lowed the average patriot around from
place to place, learning his methods and
| getting pointers from him. So when
the time comes to give up this archi-
tectural wart and say goodbye to this
James Crow wad of shapeless and un-
stratifled blunders, there will be few
tears. judge. 1t has clinging to it no
beautiful memories. Even the unm usi-
cal and immoral English sparrows
VINO come eacn spring 70 build their
little nests and squeak and scoot about
and rear their young, have no respect
for the lettering mass. No neigh Dor
will sorrow to see 1t go No scalding
tear will wet the dust and busted walls
OF the dark and dismal wreck.
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