New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-10-13
CUR NATIONAL TREASURY.
Number OBe.l
TIet0BeGruphy Of . Grecnboch.

s>stly public buildings which sdorn the otherwise
u.inposiDg city Of Washington, stands the United
G1stss Treasury. It has always been an object OF
n.sh interest to strangers and visitors, and now
1hst the splendid west wing Is completed, and the
wAsls vsst, and often complex machinery OF the en-
tre department-extended and remodeed as 1t has
been in order to meet the increased and daily in
Speasing demands of she Government service-is IN
perfect working ORDER t.has become the principal
object of attraction to all who have occasion to visit
Che city, either on business or pleasure.
The National currency, thanks TO the good credit
a the Government and the loyalty Of the people, rs
now 10 extensively circulated undergraduates, not
Szste "as good as gold,'' are everywhere heid In
vush high esteem that any other kind OF money is
seldom seen IN the current transactions OF 'ne day
Familiar a. these promises to pay are however,
1Aere are few who know anything about the several
Nscesses through which they pass, preparatory 70
their issue and circulation among the people.
Among the numerous biographies OF the day, the
biography of bank note, or rather United States
Treasury note cannot therefore, but be read without
Auterest and profit Prior to 1862 the money issues
SftAs Government were executed by the bank note
Sngrsvers and companies Of New-York. The diff
entities which grew out Of printing the public secu-
saes OF APPOINT distant from the seat of Government
end allowing plates and dies of such great valne to
ssn,ain in the hands Of parties only commercial =
connected with the Government and the monopoly
power which these companies were thus enabled 70
exercise, giving them power to control prices and
Dictate terms 70 the Government, induced the late
Secretary Of the Treasury 70 seek some means OF
bringing the whole business more immediately IN
dor his control.
The printing Of the public money in the Treasury
vas begun in the Autumn Of 1869. New presses and
NV machinery have been added from time to time
@tl now the whole enormous aggregate OF the
National Currency, with the exception Of the notes
issaed by the National Banks, which are prepared
h New.York, are engraved, printed, sealed, sepa-
ssaed and trimmed in the Treasury building. We
lesire TO give brief description Of the different
vsssesses through which these notes pass IN their
ssarse through the various divisions Of the De
y@tment
Beginning with the fret step in the long ladder
which our embryo Greenbsck must climb ere II re-
ssives its eosp de sya and 10 sent lite final mis-
sion, we first visit the
NATIONAL CURRENCY BUREAU.
Here the printing Of the Conveniently paper money
and ether work incidental to the preparation of the
SaA Issues Of the department is carried on. It.oc-
suSes the whole or greater portion Of the basement,
endorsement and upper floors Of the building an
srcs the proportions of which will be better realized
vAen it lie remembered that the ground upon which
che building stands exceeds three acres in extent.
ne building IL composed Of i've stories, exclusive
u the endorsement. Its entire length is $50 feet
end its width 2SS feet.
Armed with the necessary pass, which the cour
tsous, attention Of the Secretary has supplied on
shoyt notice. enter the vast building at the south
east basement door, touch hat to the captain Of
Che day watch, note the hour the clock Just in
side the entrance, and pass on through long hall
Aanly lighted by the door have just entesed, 70
NnOther entrance or rather screen with aperture
IN he center, through which the employees Of the
Bpreau daily enter and leave their several divisions
sfhbor. Every division, compartment or screen in
the Treasury has ts particular special use, and
sAts 10 only like the Others in this respect. Imme
~asaly behind this screen are stationed Waterman
and assistant whose duty II 10 70 SEQ that all the
employees, both male and female, are ION hand" at
Sbe regulation hour 70 report absentees, and gener
lily to supervise all the arrivals and departures II
b also made the duty Of this Waterman or door
keeper 10 that person not officially connected
With the Department enters the note-printing bu-
sean unless he has pass from the Secretary Of the
Tssasury. This regulation is strictly enforced
Pursuing our way through email group of large
hoped women who throng the entrance, We reach
fAs sce Of the Superintendent or Chief Of the first
To-. - Noxo IN fadi in
sAe corner Of the west wing Of the build
NJ. This 10 by no means our first visit, and after
having our pass vised by Mr.. CLARK, who hands it
- a assistant for record start in company with
That gentleman on our tour Of investigation.
Our frst visit is TO the Forging Room. This
apartment, OF rather subtenanesn chamber, could
not fail 10 have pleased the Cycopean giants, Bron-
49, Seropes, and Argos who constructed the artil-
]sry Of the Misunderstanding Jove, so admirably
Adapted is il TO the purposes to which it 10 devoted.
n IL located in the endorsement Of the building,
equally removed from the various other divisions Of
lAe Bureau, and where the noise from the work is
completely deadened. In the Forge Room, or
Nseksmiths shop, a. 1t 10 more familiarly known,
n the forging required in the Department 10 done.
TIE FORCES, Of which there are two, arc driven by
enc of Aldsns Patent Blow Fans, and one or other
- them is kept In constant operation.
Between the Forging and the Machine shops is
heated the Engine-room, where are found one of
Poole Il Hunts, Baltimore, upright Engines, work
ing away like syoung Titan. This engine Is nomi
2aiy Of four horse power but by keeping il under
strong pressure Of steam, power Of six horses is
obtained, and by an ingeniously contIiyed economy
It is made 70 drive not only t.le machinery in the