The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-11-05


j. L. NUCKOIS.
Committee.
Mr.. James II. DOoley presented re-
port on behalf OF the Taxpayers, signed
by himself. Dr. X. \. Patterson, a. X
Courtney. and j. y. Winston, COM
mittce representing the taxpayers,
which reads as follows;
TIKI rrIoar
TO the Board of supervisors OF Hen
rico County;
Gentlemen.- The undersigned have
been requested by many Of the large
taxpayers Of the county 10 examine the
buildings and site OF the courthouse
and to report their opinion as 20 whether
II should be destroyed and a new one
erected.
We have given our best attention and
consideration TO the subject, and desire
briefly 10 state
First. The county courthouse ap-
pears TO great DISADVANTAGE, because II
has for long time been neglected
and left without proper repairs Sew
cral Of the rooms. which were formerly
occupied by public officers seem no
Iongef TO be used for such purposes.
and look badly and unnviting.
Second. The building was erected
about thirty years ago. when buildings
stantial manner than they now are. The
walls appear to be thick, solid. and sub
stantial. They ard out Of repair I'm
some places. but We do not see why
they cannot be repaired and put I'm
good condition NJ small price
Third. II would certainly be m ad
vantage to nave some new plasterng and
painting done.
Fourth. The building itself f. very
large and commOdious. Probably II IS
as commodious n courtroom az can be
found I'm any county In the state. The
courtroom appea-1 10 be about forty
by fifty feet. There are two rooms on
the same floor. two rooms up stairs,
which were formerly used by the shcr
In and the treasurer for their offices. re-
spcctively. These rooms appear to be
no longer used by public officers and
seem TO be hllcl 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 I'm the
basement. now used for magistrates
courtroom. II should be repaired. re-
plastered. and put in nice condition.
This room might he used for terhers'
meetings. and the adjoining room. which
now seems TO be abandoned, could be
used for a ladies' toilet-room. etc.
Fifth. If more room is needed. Il can
easily be obtained. and at small expense.
In the rear OF the courthouse there Is
an alley about twenty feet wide and
forty feet long. between the courthouse
and a substantial brick wall about eight
feet high This alley Is used only for
passing from the street to the court
varK 4 wing could be built over II.
which would be about twenty by forty
feet. leaving the passage-way intact.
This would give all the accommodation
which would be needed. II the space
which we alread have should be fully
utilized.
If 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 architect whose reputation In the
community and known experience would
give weight to his Judgment.
The position Of Colonel William +.
cutsbayy CITY Engineer. would be n
le,iarantv Of his disinterestedness ana
inpartialitv. while his known ability
and experience would assure the pupic
of the soundness OF his opinion.
n further action IS 10 be predicated
,,,'o, tho assumption that the building
is unsafe. we request that his judgment
NAV be invoked.
COST or RrPAIn.
This report was also slSh'u 10y MrSsfs-
4 ". Patterson and T. NJ. Conner 70
show that they concurred.
After prolonged discussion 1t was
decided that a committee be appointed
70 ascertain and report what it would
cost 10 repair the old building. and
hermit proper accommodations for the
school meetings. without making an
addition 10 the building. The Board
was appointed by Chairman Hcchlcr to