The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-27


WASHINGTON, March 26.-LSpecial]-
The following correspondence between
the Treasury Department and Governor
Mckinney in reference to the sites for
public buildings in Staunton and Roa-
noke will prove of general interest, as
well as explain some things that have
heretofore been doubtful:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.,
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY,
WASHINGTON, d c., February 81, 1891.
To tho Governor of the State of Vir-
ginia, Richmond, Virginia.
SIR: have the honor to advise you
that act of Congress approved February
"a, 1891, authorized the acquisition of a
site and the erection thereon of public
building for the accommodation of the
postofiice and other government offices
in Roanoke, Va.
AS soon as Congress makes an appro-
priation for carrying out tho provisions
of said act, the Department will adver-
tlse for proposals for tho Sale to tho
United States of land suitably and con-
veniently situated for the uses of the
Government.
Under tho laws of your State, a
specific act of the legislature is re-
quired to grant to tho United States
exclusive jurisdiction over such property
as may be selected for said purpose, as
required by acts of Congress- approved
September IL, 1S41 (U. S. r. S., 1851
and February "a, 1891, public, No 06.)
To avoid any delay in the matter of
acquiring title to the property which
may be selected, have the honor to
request you to take such action as NAV
be necessary TO secure the passage by
the legislature Of your State of such an
act.
In this connection 1 would respect
fully suggest the advisability of tho
legislature passing general law ced-
ing exclusive jurisdiction to tho United
States over such property in the State
of Virginia as may hereafter be selected
for the use and purpose of the Federal
government, the same as exists in num-
Der of the States, and which would pre-
vent delay in the matter of acquiring
title to the property selected for said
uses and purposes.
The circumstances of the case render
prompt acknowledgements of this letter
very desirable. Respectfully yours,
(Signed) A. B. NETTLEroN,
Acting Secretary.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.,
OFFIBE OF THE SECRETARY,
WAsHINGTON, March IS, 1891.
To the Governor of tho State of Vir-
ginia, Richmond, Va.
SIn:-Referring to Department letter
addressed to you January 80, 1891, and
your reply thereto dated January 30,
1891, in regard to securing tho passage
by the Legislature of your State of an
act ceding exclusive jurisdiction over
such land as may be selected for the
proposed public building at Staunton;
and to department letter addressed to
you on the 9Th ultimo in regard to So
curing the passage of such an act in
connection with the site for the pro-
posed public building at Roanoke, to
which no reply has been received; I
have tho honor to advise you that on
the 5th instant the Department. author
lied tho publication of advertisements
for proposals for the sale to tho United
States of properties for each of said
sites.
After the sites shall have been
selected, contracts for the purchase Of
the same shall have been entered into;
evidence of tho validity of title and
oocuS VI conveyance Shall nave Deon
obtained under law, no action can be
taken in regard to making payments of
tho purchase moneys until after the
Legislature shall have passed said acts,
and duly authorized copies of the same
shall have been furnished to the depart
ment
Thus you will see the necessity for
the passage of said acts as soon as posi-
BILE after the next regular session of
the legislature shall have convened in
December 1891. Respectfully yours,
(Signed A. B. NETTLEToN.
Acting Secretary,
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA,
GOVERNORS OFFICE,
RICHMOND, Marc. 20, 1891
Hon. A. b. Nettleton, Acting Secretary
of the Treasury, u. S. Treasury De-
partment, Washington, d. c.
| SIR: Your communication of March
is, 1901, referring to Department let
ters addressed to me January %, 1891,
in re.securing the passage of an act by
the Legislature ceding exclusive iuris-
diction over such land as may be Sc
lected for the proposed public building
at Staunton, and on the 27th ultimo in
regard to securing the passage of such
an act in connection with the site for
the proposed public building at Roam
oke, to which no reply has been re-
ceived, and advising me that on the 5th
inst. the Department authorized the