The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-08-03
THE NEW UNITED STATES TREASURY IN THIS CITY


THE NEW UNITED STATES TREASURY IN THIS CITY.
-~>~~~~~~>>>>>~>~~-,~~,>< 4
the Old Custom EAouse Convartea fntO .
| msgnincent Tseasufy-CompistiOa Of
| ths Alterations aAd Occupatioa or the
| Buiidtng-The Interior Iron-Clad and
| Burglar-Proof. &c., DO.
One Of tho finest structures In point Of
this side Of the Atlantic Is the marble pile in this city
fronting on Wall street as the corner or Nasssu and
extending through 70 Pine, built few years ago Tor
Custom House, and recently converted into United
states Treasury Il 70 almost exact repetition OF one
Of tho Greek temples except that the Dimensions not
the same the proportions having been accurately pre-
served Its effect, like that Of all similar buildings.
would be far more imposing r. ls It's prototype stood
Isolated and upon elevated ground. stn It's combined
massveness and elegance worry conspicuous-parti
ouiary snooits recant renovasios. and wo may almost
say, restoration.
cuped for period Of some ten years. and under three
successive admnstrassoas the position Assistant rea
sursr Of the United States. aad Treasurer Of the Assay
Once Of New York. Originally appointed by President
Pierce he was successfully induced by Mr. Buchanan
and Mr.. Lincoln 70 continue 10 ONCE Tho remarkable
ability and hdey with which he has performed duties
Of overwhelming responsibility and labor have given
him national reputation When he Grst entered upon
the performances Or these duties their magnitude
small when compared TO that 70 which they pave been
developed BY the war; the sines room on Pine street
Afterwards occupied by the Cashier Of the Customs,
was sufficient Tor the accommodation Of Mr. Cisco
and Of all his clerks and employees After time /. be-
came impossible to transact the growing Of his
department in such restricted quarters Mr. Cisco
moved 70 tho building Wall street formerly occupied
BY the Bank OF tho United States and then by the Bank
OF Commerce and the Bank or the State Of New York.
For several years these accommodations were adequate
for the transaction Of ninety 70 nneyve per cent Of tho
monetary business Of the government which took place
at the New York ONCE In respect Of security both from
IRE and burglary, they always unsatisfactory Soon
after the breaking out Of the war the absolute
necessity OF o change became apparent Many Of
| the departments OF business Increased In rapid
geomssrcai progression, and numerous were
created More money received and dsbursed in .
day than formerly In week month. It has not been
an unusual thing Of late for the aggregate receipts and
payments Of single day 70 amount TO fifteen millions OF
dollars The average number of checks Of discussing
officers paid every day is two thousand. During the
month Of April last the payments alone about one
hundred and Ave millions and the receipts about Ehe
The payment OF interest the public debt-both
registered and coupon bondshas become enormous, both
to tho amount and the number Of persons paid Added
FOR principal and interest Of temporary loan and
for Assay Once bullion warrants. The receipts com
prise deposits from disbursing officers, from col
ectors or CUSTOMS from postmasters from collectors
Of internal revenue, from the public on account or
funded stock, Treasury notes. temporary loans patent
fees 60 Besides all this all transfers certificates OF
registered stock and all powers OF attorney to collect
interest on such stock, made before the Deputy
Assistant Treasurer who cernes also when required to
tho of cEo ~
bursting officers upon the Treasurer Of the United States
for certificates OF Indebtedness He also receives and
distributes all certificates Of Indebtedness, checks bonds
and other vauables from the Treasury Department at
Washington Intended for institutions and individuals In
New York These amount in value daily millions ard
sent TO the New York ONCE from Washington In pri.
mail pouches, under the Departments lock and key
This will give general but by a complete idea
Of what is done at what Is vulgary called the subTrea-
sury at New York.
All this stupendous business was transacted in one room
and two small Offices, in building which was neither
nrcproof burglar-proof safe which an expert
burglar would have entered In hour, II undisturbed
there frequently contained from twenty thir
~ millions Of dollars The multifArous operations OF the
once performed together in apartment, nvov-
ing inevitable confusion and great risk OF mistakes
tunatsy robbery took pad, and mistakes were
i avoided.
In this state Of afArs, Mr. Cisco addressed letter to
secreyo Of the Treasury establishing the necessity
for increased accommodations for his bureau, and
suggesting the transfer Of tho Custom House 70 the
Merchants' Exchange building and tho removal Of his
ofces 70 the Custom House. Mr. chase submitted thu
for consideration 10 the financial committees OF
the two houses Of Congress- and upon their recommends
tion, the proposal was adopted. A4saV gsHs
In former article gave some account OF the asra.
lions In the Custom House building, thcu 10 progress
IA thAoa alfo Nav~
petsd Mr. Cisco has entered occupation Of tho
building. He Is satisfied that had the government under
taken TO erect structure the Treasury they
could not possibly have furnished satisfactory
combination q security, convenience and comfort
thsn exists He Is enabled 70 transact his busl-
without confusion, with less labor and with far
greater acceptability 70 the public And yet with
some recent increase, he transacts busness, In
most respects larger than that OF the Bank OF
England with less than fty clerks messengers porters
&C. all told The Bank OF England employs seven hun
dred eight hundred persons, Of whom between two
hundred and three hundred clerical capacity Mr.
Cisco appoints any ONCE who Il mot tho.
roughly competent TO perform tho special duties be
signed to him. and thoroughly Trustworthy Tho business
Of tho day must always be on tho day Accounts
balanced every afternoon Every letter 10 answered
by return Of mail. Mistakes must not bc made. Neither
Incompetence carciessness DO excused This u
tho great secret Of tho reputation OF New York Sub
Treasury. AHaN sH
To proceed TO description Of tho building and its
cupaon Tho exterior has been thoroughly scrapcd and
cleaned The inclination OF the fight OF steps leading 10
the Wall street, or front entrance, has been
changed 90 ~ 10 permit the shedding OF
rain and melted snow. sort or wooden
storm door, which ccnsivey projected In front OF
man entrance been removed an have also certain
iron ratings. which usccssy broke the continuity or she
steps. Over this entrance enabaturo had bean re-
moved and window inserted destroying the archsctu
harmony Tho stcno has been replaced, having cut
upon letters in relief tho words "Unitsd sta,es rea
sury." = H5n ~