Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-08-18

FIRST floor nor is it believed that the basement con-
ianed any cells for prisoners owing TO the close prox
unity OF the Arch and Walnut street prisons. Although
this plan does not accord with that Of the recently
stored Congress Hail. It is explained that the difference
IS due 10 the fact that when 1t decided TO house
both branches of Congress in the building at the vest
ern end of the Square. the partition the first floor,
Whch uNued us entfahceWay ana once from the latse
rear ROOM was moved forward so that with the extra
added in the rear the members OF the House OF
Representative could be accommodated. This forced
the removal OF the wide stairway and the construction
OF the steep and stairs 10 the Senate Chamber
the second floor. alteration which provoked
bitter letter from New Yorker, Jealous over the re-
moval OF the National Capitol to Philadelphia
According to this writer whose letter was discovered
by Mr. Sellers his correspondent was informed that
the removal of Congress to Philadtlphia crying
shame Instead of fine and comfortable quarters, such
as New York ready TO provide he says Phadel-
phia offered cramped and ll-suited structure alto
gether inadequate, an abandoned county court house
that without portico shade trees and certain
to be so hot In summer as 10 force an adjournment
Tho almost perpendicular stairway which the mem
5ers he said would have to climb with the aid of
guide rope aroused especial ire; the doors OF the Sen
ate Chamber he said, couldn't be closed as the room
was so crowded and there danger OF the upper
house crushing the lower house by weight as well as
authority while the President OF the United States was
to have household on a busy market street where he
would be disturbed In the early morning by the con-
slant rumble OF farmers carts But few days after
the Yorker wrote the letter. which evidently
brought to the notice Of Congress- that body answered
by adopting resolution thanking the city OF Phladel
phia for the elegant and comfortable quarters II had
provided.
The work which Mr. Sellers committee has been do
ing extended fifteen years and the collection Of
data, the form OF writings pictures and pamphlets
the history Of the three buildings the square,
fills "a Of volumes Now that both Congress Hall
and tho State House with the exception OF the second
floor of the latter, have been restored the old city
Hall looks delapidated and unsghtly than ever.
bill pending in Councils however aims to appropriate
$4,000 TO the Department Of Public Works for the re-
storaon of this structure part Of which has been con-
demned unsafe owing TO It's advanced state Of de-
cay. When IL is restored it has been suggested II
might be made into municipal museum and thus add
o show place TO the Square.
Tho reading Of that article relative to the old Phla
delphia City Hail. erected in 1890, should have pro-
found effect in It's local application, upon the minds
Of Wilmingonians and make them glad that there was
sufficient public spirit In community to save our
old city Hall and civic centre That public spirit
viii lead to its restoration and, thanks 20 that spirit
II will require here Il has done in Philadelphia,
nfseen years. anything like that time TO ascertain
what restoration work ought 70 be done. The public
to itself the duty Of supporting at the proper
time the to gather funds for the restoration
and preservation Of a building which, in due time will
be regarded as OF commun tvs choicest pos
sessions.