Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-11-05
REPAIR THE OLD COURTHOUSE.
Cftisens PFotest Against Pulling IL
Down-Estimate Of Cost.

DoWn-Estimate Of Cost.
The Board of Supervisors Of Henrico
county met at the courthouse at p. NJ.
Yesterday to consider the question OF
replacing the present courthouse by
new building. or Of renovating the old
structure. Mr.. II. c. Hechier occupied
the chair, and the other members present
were Messrs. Browning. Fraser, ana Rose
The committee appointed to investigate
the matter handed in the following report;
RICHMOND. VA. October II, 1879.
To the Board OF Supervisors. Henrico
County:
Gentlemen,-We. the undersigned COM
mittee appointed at your meeting on Octo-
Der o. 1885, have examined into the pres
ent conditions Of the Henrico county
courthouse building. and submit the foi-
lowlng-viz.: I'VE find same throughout
I'm a very bad condition: We believe that
the house could be made strong enough
at a large cost. which would not ma
terially change the looks or convenience.
therefore, We recommend that the oio
building be torn down. and a new one
built. such as may meet the needs anu
demands OF the growing population OF the
county. Respectfully submitted.
WILLIAM c. WEST (Architecp,
#. ID. NEWELL.
J. II NUcKOLS.
Committee.
THE CITIZENS PROTEST.
After the report was read Mr.. James IL.
Dooley presented report signed by him.
self. DR. II. A. Patterson. A. X. Courtney,
and j. Il. Winston. committee repre-
senting the taxpayers. which reads:
The undersigned have been requested
by many OF the large taxpayers of the
county to examine the buildings and
site Of the courthouse. and to report
their opinion as to whether II should be
destroyed. and a new one erected. We
have given our best attention and con-
sderation to the subject. and desire,
briefly. to state:
1. The county courthouse appears TO
great disadvantage, because IL has for
long time been neglected and left without
proper repairs. Several Of the rooms,
which were formerly occupied by public
officers seem no longer to be used for
such purposes. and look badly and I'M
inviting.
2. The building was erected about
thirty years ago, when buildings were
constructed in much more substantial
manner than they now are. The walls
appear to be thick. solid. and substantial.
They are out of repair In some places.
but we do not see why they cannot
be repaired and put In good condition at
small price.
g. 1t would certainly be an advantage
10 have some new plastering and paint
ing done.
The building itself is very large and
commodous Probably IL is as commo-
dious a courtroom as can be found In
any county in the State. The courtroom
appears to be about 40xJ0 feet. There are
two rooms on the same floor two rooms
up stairs. which were formerly used by
the Treasurer and Sheriff for their offices.
respectively. These rooms appear to be
no longer used by public officers and
seem to be filed with rubbish. or used
for some other purpose. They can GER
tainly be fixed up and used again for
Offices. There Is a large room in the
basement, now used for a magistrates
courtroom. II should be repaired. re-
plastered. and put in nice condition. This
room might be used for teachers meet
ings, and the adjoining room. which now
seems 10 be abandoned. could be used for
u ladies toilet-room. etc.
5. II more room Is needed. IL can easily
be obtained, and at small expense. In
rear Of the courthouse there is an alley
about twenty feet wide and forty feet
long, between the courthouse and sub
stantial brick wall about eight feet high.
This alley Is used only for passing from
the street to the courtyard A wing
could be built over 1t. which would be
about 20x40 feet leaving the passage way
intact. This would give all the accom-
mediation which would be needed. II the
space which we already have, should be
fully utilized.
IL the board thinks that the existing
building Is unsafe. we respectfully sug-
gest that the question of its safety should
be passed upon by some engineer or ar
chitect whose reputation In the commu-
nifty and known experience would give
weight to his judgment. The position of
Colonel w. +. Cutshaw. City Engineer,
would be a guaranty Of his dlsinterested-
ness and impartialty. while his known
| ability and experience would assure the
| public OF the soundness of his opinion.
II further action is to be predicated
| upon the assumption that the building is
unsafe, we request that his judgment
may be invoked.
This report was also signed by Messrs
| A. w. Patterson and +. NJ. Conner, 10
| show that they concurred
REFERRED TO A COMMITTEE.
After q prolonged discussion. In which
the members Of the committee took part
stating the reasons on which their report
was based, Mr.. Frazier moved that o
| committee should be appointed to ascer.
tain and report upon what It would cost
to make the necessary repairs in the
present building. so as to make 1t habi
| table, and to place the rooms In the base
ment OF the court in habitable order.