Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-08
Public Buildings in Richmond.

NO matter now loNtiN INC u"thiHbS VI
how snowy the business-houses OF city.
fine public buildings are essential to any
thing ike completeness. Until within a
few wears back Richmond suffered III this
respect. Our Capitol was the only such
structure 10 which we could point the
stranger. and to create a favorable impress
sion for it we had to refer TO its historical.
associations rather than 10 ITS grandeur.
1t is pretty enough in design and construc-
ton. but ii Is by no means up TO the mod
ern State-house standard We hope that
il will never be torn down. but in the
course of time Virginia will be able to
erect other buildings which will give
shelter TO her libraries. TO the Supreme
Court OF Appeals. and TO some OF the Off
GERS who are now crowded into small ana
inconvenient quarters.
There is a considerable fund already APP
plicable to this use, and it should be added
10 from year TO year.
Next in importance to the Capitol the CON-
blped custom-house and post-office long
claimed attention. Originally twas very
handsome edifice. but when IT was re-
modelled few years ago symmetry had 10
be sacrificed 10 size.
The Federal Government made mis-
take in touching il at all. Ii should have
LEFT il alone and applied the money appro-
priated 10 the erection of a United States
courthouse. This was suggested TO 1t
at the time. but in vain and the wisdom
of the architects will always be questioned,
an s 1, 10 arrsn
of the post-ofiice, which is not half 50 well
planned as the old room.
The First Regiment Armory, the Byrd
Street railroad station, and the Young
Mems Christian Association Hall are three
buildings for which the people greatly
longed and which came in good style at
last and have proved to be fine advertise
ments of our progress.
Our City Hall promises to meet every
expectation and requirement and Will be
one of the most beautiful buildings in the
country. Its predecessor was also pretty.
though small. 1t had room tor but one
court. This will be amply commodious
for four. and the gathering of all these tri-
bunals of justice and all the municipal
Offices at one point will doubtless be fol-
lowed by great number of lawyers
chambers, for which private enterprise will
have to provide.
The Masonic Temple, which is now being
built on the southwest corner of Broad
and Adams streets, is another public
building worthy of Richmond. and while
in the narrow sense II is not the property
of this community it will be to our credit
and for our benefit chiefly, especially as it
will contain one of the largest and best
halls in this city.
Next we are promised the Chamber of
Commerce building, designed to occupy
the site of the STATE building and considera-
BILE ground adjoining. In it we hope TO
see grouped all of the exchanges. Along
with them Will come many businessmen
who now occupy office.rooms IN various
sections of the city.
The comparative ease with which nearly
all the money has been raised to pay for
this site is suggestive of real public spirit,
and is a lesson that in our great enter
prises il is better TO trust to the support OF
the many than the few.
These buildings are redeemlng Richmond
from a condition which was not pleasing
60 her well-wishers. and they encourage
Us to believe that we will not have much
longer TO wait for two railroad stations
that are greatly needed. We have waited
for them with great patience, and have
had fair promises from time 10 time, but
the hour of realization. if not remote,
seems to be not very near at hand.
The Chesapeake and Ohio people are no
doubt undetermined as to location.
Since their acquisition of the Richmond
and Allegheny railroad they need freight
and passenger station that will be con-
venient for all their trains, whether going
up the river. down the river. or over the
:nain stem towards Charlottesville. They
have the authority TO construct belt
line. and when they have formulated
plan for It, If not before. we may expect a
station building in keeping with the
wealth of the company and the business of
the community to be served.
1t would be unfair to accuse them OF
niggardness. for they have subscribed
literally to various enterprises here and
stand ready TO put down their names for II
good round sum for an uptown hotel.
The Danville company also should crafty
us and do justice 10 themselves in the cree
ton Of better building for passengers
They have very good location now and
need have no delay on this account, be-
sides. we had been told that when their
building at the southwest corner Of Bank
and Tenth streets was sold the proceeds
would be applied to the purposes indi-
Gated.
The Virginia Mechanics Institute School
of Technology is rising up as claimant
for home. OF its deserts we have often
spoken. II should be treated handsomely
and IN some way provided q suitable build
ing.
Altogether the retrospect is gratifying
and the promise pleasant.