The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-11-29
A NEW FEDERAL BUILDING
Need of a More Commodlous Structure
Demonstrated by Past Experience.
General Coburn Tells the Story ofthe Agitation
That Procured for Indianapolis the
Postofice Now in Use.

That Indianapolis is in urgent need of a
new federal building TO accommodate the
United States Courts, government Offices
and postofice. no one who looks at the
present cramped, old-fashioned and IN
business-like quarters will deny. Past ex-
perience will show that 80 far as Indian
spolis is concerned appropriations to erect
federal buildings are not to be had for the
mere asking. and that the present building
was secured only after many years of the
most earnest and persistent endeavor. In
fact, ten long years elapsed between the
first steps taken to secure the attention of
the government to the needs of q federal
building and the fruition of that endeavor.
and tho subsequent bard work in the COM
pletion of the present building.
A Journal reporter was told that Gen.
John Coburn. who represented this district
in Congress for six years, had done more
than any one else toward obtaining the
erection of that building. but that the be-
ginning of his service in that direction
long annotated his service in Congress,
which afterward became supplemental to it.
Il suppose" said the General. when
called upon by the reporter. THAT / am en-.
titled to some little credit for originating
the movement to have o postofiice for In
dianapolis. Prior to 1861 the federal gov
eminent owned no building and paid rent
for its postoffice. In the fall of 1851 | was
returning from Lake Superior, where I had
been TO visit my brother. Returning l
stopped at Detroit. and went to the post
attracted my attention. 1t was quite
a substantial structure. and on
inquiry l was told that the govern
ment had bought and owned it.
ought to have such q building owned by
the federal government. After returning
home L thought about the matter some
time. talked it over with o number of
friends. and concluded to call q meeting to
get expressions from citizens regarding the
proposed plan.
FIRST PUBLIC MEETING.
Notices were put in the Journal and
Sentinel calling the meeting, to be held at
the Mayors Office, which was then in the
Beehive Flock. northwest corner of Wash
inRton ano Meridian streets. 1t appeared
later that the same evening had been
chosen for another meeting. John b. Niles.
of LaPorte. q prominent railway attorney.
had called a meeting of citizens to
protest against the action of the au-
lOEltI at IElt d. WHO WeI6
trying to keep two railroads from connect
ing at that point to make q di~rectunbroken
route. Tho Erie people were lighting
against this. declaring 1t hurt the town,
as people would go through. and not stop
over ana spend money in the hotels and
among the merchants. Mr.. Niles got up u
large meeting. and the Mayors Office was
filled with people. His meeting came OF
first. the resolutions were passed. and most
of the crowd left. In fact. only about a
dozen seemed TO take any interest at all in
the matter of the postoffice building.
esquire Sullivan was made chairman of
this meeting. / was secretary and stated
the object of the call. The persons present
were not unanimously IN favor OF the gov
rnmen erecting n binding here at ali.
Page Chapman. then editor of the Sentinel.
and another gentleman vigorously opposed
the project Mr.. Chapman said IL would
take away from some citizen the Oppor-
tunity TO rent his building for government
use. However. tho resolution asking Con-
gress to mako an appropriation passed. and