The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-31
THE CITY HALL.
The Building When Completed VIII be
the Finest I'm the south.

Inc building Nhen Nomfiettd VIII Do
the Finest In the south.
A gentleman from the country. while
standing at the corner OF Tenth and
Capitol streets yesterday afternoon.
noticed that workmen were ploughng up
Tenth street i'm front of the New City
Hall. preparatory to the laying down OF
pavement. Not being familiar with the
surroundings he desired to satisfy his
curiosity, and modestly asked whether
the people expected TO plant corn right
in the middle Of the city. When he was
Informed by n by-stander that the build
ing before him was the pride. AMI at
the same time the white-elephant OF
the city OF Richmond. he became con-
WINGED that he had made an egregious
mistake.
Things around the New City Hall are
beginning to get into shape. The gram
olyphic pavement which surrounds the
building on all sides Is a splendid piece
of work. The roadway on its outside
will be either laid i'm asphalt or 1t will
be paved with vitrified bricks, ends up.
The building itself seems To be making
better progress now than az any other
period OF its construction and the peo-
pie begin already to speak Of the time
when the city officials will be able TO
move into their new quarters. Those,
who have business In that vicinity are
Of the opinoin that the coming spring
election will be held just about IA time
TO give the newly-elected officials an
opportunity TO move their Offices into
the new quarters.
Mr.. S. r. Bates, the assistant city en-
gineer, who has been I'm direct charge
OF the building believes that by about
February Is. 1894, everything will be In
readiness 10 receive the tenants, a care
full observer would judge from general
appearance that the upper three stories
are practically finished and only need
a thorough cleaning Before carpets and
iinoleum can be laid down, while on the
ground floor the woodwork is only partly
finished The majority Of the work yet to
be done IS In the basement but even there
continuous progress can be noticed.
That floor will give shelter, among
others, to the Chief Of the Fire Depart
ment, the High Constable Supernten-
dent Of the Outdoor Poor and it will
contain the pay-room Of the City Engl-
neer's office. the storage batteries OF the
Fire Telegraph and the Police Court
with its necessary additions.
on the ground floor will be the offices
Of the Auditor. Collector, Treasurer city
Attorney Commissioner Of Revenue and
city Engineer. Each department has
suite OF rooms opening into each other
and consisting OF Offices where the public
VIII be dealt with. rooms for the differ
ent clerks, and rooms for the heads Of
the departments. There viii also be the
apartments Of the Mayor Of the city Of
Richmond.
on the next floor The Hastings Chan
Gerry and Circuit Courts will be estab-
lished Each court Will have its court
room, document rooms, clerk-rooms. and
private rooms for eacn judge, and also
for each clerk. Near the Hastings Court
win be the Office Of the City-Sergeant,
Grand-Jury room. etc, while between
the Chancery and Circuit Courts the
Sherins Office will be established.
on the floor above the courts, VIII be
found the Council Chamber, the rooms OF
the city Clerk. a private room for the
presiding officers OF the two branches OF
the Council, a number OF committee
rooms, jury rooms. etc.
on the top floor the greater number OF
the rooms will remain unoccupied FOR
some time % come. Besides the rooms
set aside for the use OF the Fire Tele-
graph department and the library, no
disposition las as yet been made.
Inc DulldlNS il It's various departments
makes splendid impression and con-
vinces the visitor an first glance that
there is no finer and better appointed
public building south OF Washington. II
there Is any fault TO be found il is the
existence Of the columns In the larger
rooms. which had 10 be placed there as
supports OF the building Since the iron
work I'm the corridors and Railways has
been painted in bright colors. the In
terror Of the building has lost its former
gloomy appearance.
IL goes without saying that the various
offices will be furnished in the very best
style, and with full consid Grafton OF the
wishes OF the various officials. The com
bination gas andl electric light fixtures.
In the various offices, make a splendid
appearance and IA their execution remind
the careful observer Of those in the
Capitol at Albany n. Y, also their
patterns are Of a somewhat different
style.
TO keep the entire building in perfect
order IL will require quite a number OF
employees, and IN order 10 keep all the
woodwork. metal-work. etc. clsn, Il
Will be necessary 10 appoint a heaaman
for each floor, with the power 10 engage
the needed help. But all these details
vail have 10 be regulated first By the
passing Of proper ordinance, which IN
All probability will give the power OF
making the appointments needed for the
New city Hall 10 the Committee on
Grounds and Buildings.