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544
to escape the burthens of taxation takes flight, and thus an
obstacle to succees is created instead of the promised good.
The Legislature has for wise purposes ever been cautious
in granting power to one Corporation to participate in tire
affairs of another or become responsible for debts not proper-
ly its own, and whenever this policy has been departed from,
it has been by the most open and direct means and the au-
thority so to act is couched in terms neither doubtful nor im-
plied. The necessity for such a course is apparent in order
to protect the public against the possibility of frauds, and
hold in restraint the con stant tendency of Municipal and
other Corporations, to pervert and abuse their legitimate
authority in doing by indirect means that which they could
not obtain authority to accomplish by an open and direct ap-
peal to the Legislature of the State. All such Acts are cf
evil tendency, and against the spirit of the Law; and to
which no citizen can lead himself and claim au immunity
from rebuke and a just public censure, even though lie may
escape punishment by the law.
In respect to the new City Hall now in progress, for full
details the Committee visited the office of Mr. Frederick,
architect, who exhibited and explained the details and de-
signs of his plan for a new City Hall, which has been ap-
proved and adopted by the Commissioners charged with the
erection of the building.
The designs contemplate a building of great beauty of
style and proportions, and of imposing magnificence, com-
bined with durability and ample accommodations for the
present and growing wants of the city.
It is designed to cover the square bounded by Holliday,
Fayette, North and Lexington streets, and is two hundred-
and thirty-one feet by one hundred and fifty feet from Holli-
day to North streets. The designs contemplate a building
three stories high, with interior courts, a central and spacious
Rotunda, with dome 234 feet high, with a large number of
conveniently arranged apartments, adapted to every present
and anticipated wants, with stairways and corridors appro-
priate and in full proportion to the interior arrangements.
The outer walls are designed to be faced with well selected
and durable white marble, skillfully wrought, while iron
trusses and groins of masonry support the floors, and will
give great firmness and durability, as well as much security
against fire.
The Committee are free to say that if the financial condi-
tion of the city justified the expenditure, the building con-
templated is appropriate, and such as is required by the
wants of a city of increasing numbers and wealth.
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