that place. The committee reported unanimously
in favor of that character of water works, and the
city at once entered into a contract with the Messrs.
Holly for the construction of the necessary machinery,
and issued $100,000 of bonds to meet the expenses.
In 1871 the works were completed, and they are still
in successful operation. A year later a bridge was
built over the Potomac river to connect the city with
West Virginia, and shortly afterwards two bridgej*
were built over Will's Creek. In 1874 the erection
of a new City Hall was commenced, and it was com-
pleted in 1876.
The building is of brick, having a massive, lofty and striking exterior. Its length on Centre street is 126 feet; on Liberty street 115 feet; depth ou Frederick street 104 feet; on Bedford street 80 feet; height to square of building 62 feet; to cresting 78 feet; to top of tower 140 feet.
The ground floor is occupied as a market, having a superficial area of more than 10,000 feet.
Above the market the building is divided into two distinct parts by a corridor thirteen feet in width, which also accommodates the stairways. On the north side of the corridor are the Council Chamber, Mayor's office, Clerk's office, and committee room. These occupy the second floor. The rooms are handsomely frescoed, and the Council Chamber, which is 50 by 38 feet, in size, is furnished with desks of black walnut. On the third floor are three rooms, used by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows; while the upper floor supplies a full suit of elegant rooms for the Masonic fraternity, the lodge room
