EXECUTIVE MANSION, _May 29, 1888_.
_To the House of Representatives_:
I return without approval House bill No. 1275, entitled "An act for the
erection of a public building at Columbus, Ga., and appropriating money
therefor."
The city of Columbus, Ga., is undoubtedly a thriving, growing city.
The only present necessity for a public building there is for the
accommodation of its post-office. It is stated in the report of the
House committee that the gross revenues of the office for the year
ending June 30, 1887, were $16,700. The postmaster, in a letter upon the
subject, makes the following statement:
I estimate the gross receipts at $17,500 for the fiscal year ending
March 31, which will be an increase of nearly 7 per cent over last
year's receipts.
There are nine persons employed in the post-office at present, including
the postmaster. The present quarters are leased by the Government at an
annual rent of $900. The postmaster represents that his accommodations
are not adequate or convenient, and that instead of a space of 1,900
square feet, which he now has, he should be provided with 2,500 square
feet.
The population of the city in 1880 was 10,123. It is claimed that it is
now about 20,000.
In my opinion the facts presented do not exhibit the necessity of the
expenditure of $100,000 to afford the increased room for the post-office
which may be desirable. I believe a private person would erect a
building abundantly sufficient for all our postal needs in that city for
many years to come for one-third of that sum.
Business prudence and good judgment seem to dictate that the erection
of the proposed building should be delayed until its necessity is more
manifest, and so that it can be better determined what expenditure for
such a purpose will be justified by the continued growth of the city and
the needs of the Government.