The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-12-14
PUBLIC BUILDING FOR HELENA.

PUBLIC BUILDING FOR HELENA.
Its Importance Urged on the Board OF
Trade by Postmaster Curtis.
10 The INDEPENDENT: have duly re-
celved the following communication from
our fellow-citizen, Postmaster Charles ID.
Curtis, addressed to the members of the
Helena Board of Trade to be officiall Y
brought before the board at its next meet
ing. But knowing the Importance of the
communication and its pressing demand for
speedy action, and knowing there will bs
no meeting Of the board until the 3lst of
this month, and knowing, also. that con-
gress will probably take recess at the hol-
idays, I have thought proper to expedite
matters by treating the document as an
open letter and ask its publication. Re
spectfuliy. RoBT. C. WALKER,
Secretary Helena Board of Trade.
Helena, Dec. IL. 1890.
The Helena board of trade-Gentlemen:
Last December called your attention to
the fact that about fourteen federal officials
We're located at Helena-that the several
offices were located in buildings scattered
over the city-that citizens of the state who
had business to transact with the several
departments were put to great annoyance
and loss OF valuable time hunting up these
otlices-that for town of the size and I'M
portance of Helena--having all the require
ments that go TO make progressive, pros
porous and permanent city, We were in
great need of a public buildlng-I suggested
the board of trade be invited to take active
measures to present the matter to congress.
In the meantime, on the order of the su per-
vlslng architect of the treasury, I prepared
report setting fourth the following facts
The population of Helena in 1880 and 'S9.
The business transacted in the postoffice
each year from 80 to '89-the present floor
space, the actual space needed. and the
prospective needs of the office for the next
ten years--the class, character and cost of
the buildings and those under construction,
the number of public and private schools,
churches. libraries and other institutions of
like character. The volume of general
business transacted during the current year.
The number of national aud private banks,
their deposits, capital and surplus and un-
divided profits. The number of federal of
fcials stationed here, the floor space used
by each, and the annual rent paid
therefor by the government. The
acknowledged fact that Helena was the geo.
graphical, business aud railroad centre of
Montana. That her hotels we're commo-
dious structures. we'll equipped with modern
appliances for the comfort and convenience
of guests. That hotel and restaurant tables
was supplied with the choicest Injuries lin
seaSOHl from tile IudTketS OF INC AGlanClC
and Pacific slopes. That the climate was
unsurpassed, her people prosperous, and
only needed a convenient public building
to make them content. Interesting statis-
tics, and data copied from official records
were added, showing that our claim to have
public building at Helena was we'll based.
This report was endorsed and adopted by
the Board OF Trade. copy, after being
signed by nearly all the members and many
prominent citizens not members. was for
warded to Hon. Z. ii. Carter to be pre-
sented to congress. The original took to
Washington and gave to Mr.. Windrim. the
supervising architect, who, after asking
many questions relative to the subject mat
ter of my report, acknowledged that a public
building at Helena would not only be u
great convenience to the public and federal
officials stationed there, but would also be
great saving to the government in the
matter of rent. He also stated he would
cheerfully endorse the report. short
while after MIR. Carter introduced bill
asking congress to appropriate the sum of
$500 600 to purchase grounds and erect a
building thereon.
You all know how the bill was tossed
about. and trimmed down, till not enough
was left of the amount asked to purchase
even site in Il neighborhood that would be
convenient; and finally in the hurry and
hustle of adjournment the bill with its
many erasures of amount, was put to sleep
III sollie COSY pigeon IOie, TO De thkeu tnere-
from let US hope, and passed at this session,
with the original sum of 100000 restored.
Now that the old and faithful Board of
Trade has arisen (Phenix-like from the
ashes of Its late prostration) and again re-
sumed its interrupted functions rs wise
and conservative guardian of the public
veal, trust it will again. and Immediately
take up this all important question of a
public building. Memorable congress and
petition ut Washington. and never drop the
matter till the official order be given to
erect suitable public building in Helena.
also suggest that the annual dues be re-
duced to $40, and that every respectable
citizen of Helena, who has the welfare OF
the city and county at heart, be cordially
invited to become an active member. DO
this, and the Helena Board of Trade will
have the confidence and hearty endorse
men. of the entire community.
Hoping your laudable ambition to make
Helena indeed the Queen city, of the
northwest may be realized. and wishing
you all, and my fellow citizens generally, a
Merry Xmas and a happy, and prosperou,
New Year, remain, faithfully yours,
CHAs. u. CURTIS.
HELENA Mont Dec H.