The Committee will not say that the Architect, the Builder, the dealer in huge blocks of Granite, nor the learned Gentleman who invented those ventilators, will not complain, should the City economize in the construction of all buildings that are liable to be torn down to make room for business purposes. It is proper to state that the proposed change of lots carries with it a change of plans. The Superintendent of Public Schools recommends both land and plans as preferable to the old; and in the opinion of the Committee, it would be a change for the benefit of three classes-First, the Scholars; Second, the Teachers; Third, the Tax Payers of Boston. It also proposes to do away with the old stereotype plans, whereby the tax payers have had to pay thousands of dollars for the Huge Blocks of hammered granite, that in many instances are hid from view, only for a few years, and then by the freak of some School Committee, they are torn down to make room, as they say, for the march of business. A majority of the citizens of Boston are of the opinion that the time has arrived that a system of thrifty management of its finances should take place. Fifteen or twenty years ago, we could hear the Rich men complain of the high rate of taxation; that complaint is hushed. They have invented a plan to protect their "Almighty Dollar,”—if their wealth is in stocks, they will drive a bargain with some Selectmen of the "rural districts," or take up their abode in the State of Rhode Island. It appears to your Committee that the subject of the purchase of the land, and the signing of the contracts for the erection of a Grammar School House at East Boston, has caused much feeling. Not only among the Committee who had that matter in charge, but the inhabitants in its immediate vicinity have not manifested a brotherly feeling one to another in regard to its location. But that is a subject that your Committee do not wish to meddle with,-leaving each one to settle their own private differences unconnected with the public interest. In the erection of all Public Buildings, it is not to be supposed that every citizen in the immediate vicinity of its location will be satisfied with the action of the City Government. And whatever the Government, its Committee, or any private individual may do, it has not in any instance given entire satisfaction to all parties interested. So far as your Committee have had experience in public or private life, they have found that there is but one course to pursue, to approach perfection and secure the approbation of all honest men, and that is, to regard their oath of office strictly within its obligations; performing every act without dictation or coercion from any man, or body of men whatever. Your Committee have endeavored to give all parties opposed, and those in favor of its removal, an impartial hearing. And after a thorough investigation of the subject, the peculiar predicament of the contracts, the liability of the contractor in consequence of altering the grade and plans after contracts had been signed by both parties, and a prospective saving to the City's finances in the future erection of its Public Buildings, your Committee recommend the adoption of the following order. C. T. WOODMAN, Ordered, That the Committee on Public Buildings be, and they are, hereby instructed to purchase forthwith a lot of land at the northeasterly angle of Sumner and Lamson Streets, known as lot No. 13, and part of No. 12, containing about fourteen thousand square feet, for the purpose of erecting thereon a Grammar School House. Also, an Engine House. Provided the cost thereof shall not exceed Eight thousand nine hundred Dollars. The cost to be charged to the appropriation for Grammar School Houses and Engine Houses. |