The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-15
HEPRIDE OF RICHMOND.
PROGRESS MADE ON THE NEW CITY
UfII.


Thcrecent political discussion in regard tothe
stone cutters on the new City Hall has once
more brought to the attention OF the people
tie fact that this magnificent building is ac-
tually in course Of construction. Not only is
the building well under way, but the
stone and outside work is nearly completed
Many had almost lost sight. in their daily
routine Of work, Of Richmond's proudcst
structure, but while time rolled swiftly by
stone has been laid on stone. and iron bOlted
a. iron, amid the merry clink Of
hammer and chisel and the long-drawn
sarccch of tho huge dei1lcks, until
today it stands almost in pcricction-a
building Of grandeur and beauty. and a
tower OF fame 20 the progressive spirit which
p.rvades the heart If the capital of the old
south, made new with energy and desire TO
rise.
GROUND BROKEN.
On the 80th day of August, 1896 The ground
was broken for the foundation Of the grandcst
municipal building south of the Mason and
Dixon linc-R structure that would show 10
fho world what Richmond really was. and
what class of people composed her popula-
zion No better way could possibly have been
f,und to have made manifest the true bearing
~ ber peoplo than this. for. rs "a great histO-
nam once said the truest history of "a people
can be- best traced iu their mode of arcintcc-
ture.
After the GROUND was formally broken work
VA. carried briskiv ON until the lower fOunda-
ZION Ind been completed, Whoa preparations
were made for the laying of the corner stone.
Tho Committee on Grounds and Buildings,
af IFS regular meeting held at the Engineers
office ON the iith day of March, 1887, passed
the following resolution:
THE CORNER STONE.
BE it resolved, That the cornerstone Of the
now City Hall be laid ON the 5th day Of April,
1857. and that the Grand Lodge of Na-Ons of
the state of Virginia Ice requested TO 0ihciate
ou tine occasion: that Rev. NJ. ID. H0gc, ID. D.,
lr requested To offer up the opening prayer.
and that Judge Beverley X. Wexford. DR.. he
requested to deliver the Grafton; tht the
military and civic societies of the city and city
officials and employees Doe requested % take
part IN the parade. end that Major n. Y. Kan
d0ph be named as chief marshal.
I'm conformity with That resolution the cor
uor-etone was laid and tine ceremonies incl
dent thereto have passed into local history.
From that day until the present time work
has gone steadily forward. Ii is true that
had il been decided % build 10y the contract
system, more progress might have been made
but 10 was seen Sit 10 employ day labor cNclu-
siycly. and this has indeed proved welcome to
the lahoung classes no least.
IL Is impossible however. under that sys-
ready fOr occupancy or what II Will cost 10
complete IL. The heavy work IS practically
finished or viii be in few weeks, then VIII
come all of the wood work. plastcring, steam
fitting, plumbing, electric appliances, &c.
IN TWO YEARS.
II is believed. as near ms can be calculated,
that within two years those who are SD fortu-
nate as 10 draw salaries from the Golfers of
the city will bc domiciled amid the luxurious
tapestry of a new city hall.
All in authority on the work of construction
refuse positively TO saywhat amount of money
they deem sufficient To- finish the building, rs
they say under the day-!abOr system II IS I'M
possible 10 calculate.
The total amount of money already appro-
priated by the city is $4,000. of tins cf13.-
687 33 has been expended mp to the ilfst of
February leaving a balance 10 tho credit of
the building at that time of sl6,3G2.6l TINS
will. of course. fall far short of completing
the work. Another appropriation of 500
600 has been asked for. Int has not as vet been
granted. When asked u this would bc SUI
hciont. those who watch its progress from day
10 dav looked wise. and refused 10 give an
opinion II is believed 10y many that the APP
propriation asked for will have to be supple
ncnted 10y several others.
HOW EXPENDED.
In the amount of money stated above as
having been expended j. included The renewal
of the First Presbyterian church, which stood
on the lot, the purchase Of the upper house,
purchase of the lot. the premiums ON plans foi
building and other expenses incurred before
The hall was actually started.
The structure as 1t stands, exclusive of tho
extensions for steps fronts lI9 feet on Broad
street. and extends back between Tenth and
Eleventh streets 40 feet, occupying the whole
square. Ii is four stories high and basement.
surrounded bv several towers, the tailest Of
which Is over 200 feet high. From the ground
To- the caves of the roof Is about 100 feet. thus
making the main tower about 100 feet higher
than the caves of the roof.
The whole Of the house is constructed IN
the regular form Of iire-pro0f buildings. All
D the floors and ceilings are land with Hat
terra Gotta arches between ~ beams. On
these arches are laid strips, of wood and the
space iu between Is filled % % level with the
strips with concrete. In the rooms not used
ir Offices the floors are made Of plank and
nailed 60 these strips but the larger part OF the
flor is made Of thing which Is laid on the con-
D.,e The roof is covered with heavy copper
except the mansard portions of II, which is
covered With Buckingham slate.
THE OFTIcFs.
THE inside will Doe finished in guartered oak.
oiled. Three fast elevators Will be put III at
8 cosy of $4,000.
Tie Basement will be occupied by the Po-
I.r Court. the CorOncr's Office the Office Of
tla Board Of Health. the Superintendent of
Public Charities, tire-alarm office, and the
L.Nng apparatus.
Ilc boiler-room will be under Eleventh
street, On the first floor Will be the Auditor,
iu' treasurer. the Collector the Assessor. the
Gas Inspector. the Superintendent of the
Water Works. the Police Commissioners, the
Pie Chief of Police. the Mayor, the Sherih
Dhce. the Chancery Hastings, ana Circuit
courts and their clerks offices.
Tie third floor viii be occupied by the
Council Chamber, Offices Of the President OF
O. Council, the Sorgemt-at-Arms, ana TIE
cry Attorney. committee-roOns jury rooms
and the CITY Engineers Department.
Ontne fourth floor will be Fire Department;
ta School Board, and several unaIiotted
f0onS
The view from the top of the building IS m
deed grand Looking down as II does ON the
State Capitol a better idea can be Obtained
o. the scenery IN and about Richmond imam
Don almost my other point.
Taking ii all in all, Richmond, Virginia. ana
even the South surely have cause TO teei
plde ct this graudost municipal building IN
i1e land of Dixie.
Lee District Club.
A large and enthusiastic meeting OF the Lee
District Democratic Club was held last night
IN the ruckah0e school-house, NJ the corner
Meadows and Taylor streets. Interesting
speeches We're made by Messrs. CHM, beNer,