The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-21
IN new POST0FFICE
Those Who Took Part In Sc
curing Public Building.
HANDSOME ORNAMENT TO THE CITY
Every Facility For Handling Mails,
Etc, Etc.

The new postoffice is now ready
for the use of the public IL was
completed some time ago and a full
description of both the intreiOr and
exterior was published in this pap
er az the time.
II has passed through all Of the
stages OF inspection; has been turn
ed over to the government by Am
bros b. Stannard, of New York,
the contractor. through Mr.. J. II.
Martin. the latter's superintendent,
and is now in charge of Postmaster
John NJ Griffin, the custodian.
Postmaster Griffin has moved
from the old location into the
new building and mails are now be-
ing distributed and delivered from
the government property.
Mr.. Griffin has made a most eff
ficient postmaster and the business
of the office has advanced with
each year OF his administration.
Mr.. Griffin was appointed in 1897
by the late President VIM Mckin-
ley. re-appOinted by the same pres
ident in 1902, again re-appointed
in 1906 by President Theodore
Roosevelt and again re-appointed
April 18th, 1910, by President VIM.
H. Taft for his fourth consecutive
term.
Mr. Griffin is a native OF Freder-
icksburg, a son OF the late Thomas
Griffin and Mrs. Mary Griffin He
served acceptably in the City Coun-
ell from 1886 to 1897, resigning TO
become postmaster. In 1889 he
was the Republican candidate for
the State Senate from this district.
When the question OF attempting
10 secure public building for
Fredericksburg was first mentioned
and advocated the proposition was
ridiculed by great many persons
The first public action in the mat
ter was taken on Jan. 18th. 1906,
by the late +. w. Mills, who as
chairman of Public Interest Com
mittee OF that body, introduced a
resolution requesting Senators Dan
lei and Martin and Representative
Jones to make efforts to secure for
Fredericksburg an appropriation for
the erection OF a federal building.
On September 20, 1906, the Pub
lie Interest Committee OF The City
Council. Messrs. T.. w. Mills, w. S.
Embrey and j. w. Masters and C.
w. Jones and A. p. Rowe. of the
Business Mems Association; Col. Il.
d. Cole and Judge Alvin T. Embrey,
citizens, visited Washington and
through Congressman w. A. Jones
were granted a hearing by a sub
committee of the Committee on
Public Buildings and Grounds.
Congressman Jones, Judge Embrey
and Col. Cole addressed. the COM
mittee and all of the Fredericks-
burg delegation we're present. The
Fredericksburger were cordially re-
celved by the Congressman, who
showed much interest In the prop
osition. Congressman Jones later
introduced a bill for an appropri
alton of $4,000 for the erection Of
the public building in Fredericks-
burg which was approved by the
committee. This was later increas-
ed to $4,000.
After the death OF Mr.. Mills Mr..
Jos. NJ. Goldsmith succeeded him
as chairman Of the Public Interest
Committee of the City Council. A
committee composed of Mr.. Jos. NJ.
Goldsmith Col. Il. ID. Cole, Messrs.
y. w. Masters and A. p. Rowe, Wis
tied Washington and after consulta-
ton with Congressman Jones an
additional appropriation of 100000
was asked of Congress, making
total of 100000 for the building
and site, which was passed. The
late Senator Daniel looked after the
bill and its amendments in the
Senate with fidelity and efficiency,
getting them through that body
promptly.
The question of a site agitated
the public mind for some time there
being quite a difference of opinion,
but the final selection, corner OF
Hanover and Princess Anne streets,
gives entire satisfaction.
The final result is that Fred
ericksburg now has a modern up-to7
QdLc pOSlOillCts WIN 0fCiJ A"Ny
for handling the mails in the most
advantageous way, and an ornament
to the city.
In addition to the handsome
room set aside as office for Post
master Griffin, an office is also pro-
vided Internal Revenue officer Capt.
Charles Gee, for the postoffice IN
spector and a room for the civil
service commission.
The local sub-contractors for
work in connection with the com
pletion Of the building were: Geo.
w. Heflin, plumbing; NJ. l.. Boil
ling. painting; George j. FLETCHER
bricks; Col. e. ID. Cole. cement;
Rappahannock Electric Light ana
Power Co., and Messrs. Harrison &
Montague, lights and fixtures; Z.
C. Ninde, curtains.
Mr.. r. A. Kishpaugh got out an
an attractive souvenir In connection
with the completion OF the public
building, which emb0dies much OF
the above Information and contains