Alamo Express [San Antonio, TX], September 10, 1860
A Market House is one of the most important establishments of a city, and a good one favorably situated, is certainly desirable if not absolutely requisite. The building should be large and substantial, situated on an area of ground sufficiently open to accommodate a large number of vehicles and to allow a free circulation of air in order to secure both health and comfort. As to a central point we do not consider that so requisite; and especially when it is attainable only at the sacrifice of every essential requisite, a little to one side would make no difference in a growing city like our own. These thoughts are suggested by taking a view of new market house now in progress of creation in our city. It is going up around the old market shanty, and fills up the entire space to the edge of the street, leaving perhaps room enough for a horseman or footman to press round it. We have not seen the plan or specifications, but from present appearances the building looks like it will be adequate; but the situation is decidedly objectionable, and displays a want of wisdom and a lack of duty on the part of the authorities. It is jammed in among a lot of business houses with no other access than the narrow street upon which it fronts;–it is the hole in the city. The big future and the present wants, comfort and convenience of our city were certainly not consulted in this selection of a market place. Some may accuse us of a desire to grumble and say that we ought to be eminently thankful for anything in lieu of the present old shanty, but we contend that the people’s money should not be squandered; that those who had the matter in charge should by all means have consulted the public interest in procuring a suitable location, and not have displayed such haste and carelessness in disposing of the public funds as is evident in this particular instance.
Some may think it silly in us to bring up this matter this late in the day when the building is nearly half way completed, but we had not the opportunity of doing so before the commencement of the work, and if we had had that opportunity we have no idea our opposition would have availed any thing, but it is our duty to remind the people of those things, and if possible arrest this mania for spending the people’s money regardless of economy and common sense, as is glaringly evident in all the public works about our city for several years past. Rickety wooden bridges have been built at the expenditure of thousands of dollars of the public money, combining neither beauty or durability; at first cheaper than good iron or stone bridges, but costing in the run of a few years more in the way of continual repair. This is very nice for city jobbers but ruinous to the best interest of the community at large. A reform is needed. Every cent of public money should be expended with care and good judgment, [illegible] have much improvement to [illegible]; and it should be done with especial eye to the wants of the big and growing future.