The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-10-05

WASHINGTON, September 80.
Three years ago, ]. L. Kidwell, OF this city,
made the discovery that he had some valuable
stone ouarries on land which he owned IN tnls
vicinity. He proceeded at once to organize
company. known as the Seneca Building
Stone Association" with view to have this
material introduced In the various public
buildings and works of Washington. hldwel's
political antecedents, however, were OF such
an Objectionable character, and bis sympathies
with the Lost Cause had been so openly avow-
ed. that he met with no announcement on the
part of the authorities, and all the orders re-
ceyed by his company for the products OF the
Seneca ouarres came from old private cltl-
zsns and secession.sts OF washington ana
vicinity.
him long to find out that under the present
administration he must offer some other In
ducement than would merely benefit the puo-
lie, before he could touch the sympatnleS or
awaken the interest Of those having authority.
So he increased the stock, which was original
" marked at 5000, 900. to s500,000, and pro-
ceeded to distribute the same 1udlclously
among the different members OF the admins
tration
This new departure disguised a large num-
ber of Washington business men, VINO were
SO long as it was a legitimate enterprise, and
they withdrew their names from the concern
altogether. They argued that such pare
faced attempt 10 interest the government
officials Ia the company would oVeEreacI
self and that the fraud would be 80 patent
that no official would dare to order any OF this
Seneca stone to be used in public work OF any
kind But Eldwell had faith In his plan, and
has continued 1t in the face of all opposition;
Mullett, the government architeGt, mas nela
out against all blandshment until this sum-
mer. when, either through want OF influence
or positive connivance, he has allowed Seneca
stone to be used in all directions.
The governmental stockholders, as they now
stand on the books, with the amount OF stock
credited to their names, are as follows:
U. s. Grant, President OF the United States,
Horace Porter, private secretary to Presi-
General F. T. Dent. assistant private secre-
tary to President, $4,000.
General M,chler, former superintendent OF
public buildings, SIC, 900.
General o. E. Babcock, present superlnten'
dent of public buildings, 10000
q. D. Cooke, Governor District of Columbia,
s24O,O0O.
]. L. Kidwell, $3.50, 900.
Paymaster-G General Brice, sla, 900.
Surgeon.General Barnes. $ll 900.
Ouartermaster-GeneralM Melgs, $4,000.
John W. Forney. $4,000:
General Eaton, $4,000.
Nathaniel Wilson, $1,000.
General Dent received his stock on the day
that Henry D. Cooke received his appointment
eral Babcock received his about the time he
was appointed superintendent of public build
ings, vice General Mlchler removed.
Since this governmental ring was organ
lied, the Seneca quarrles can hardly yield last
enough to supply the demand. The stone is
e. NJ noilQQ 0f
solid walls built OF this material around the
Arlington Cemetery, and 1t is used exclusively
at all Tue national cemeteries within convenient
access of this point. The immense Freedmen's
Savings Bank, which has just been put up In
Pennsylvania avenue, north OF the Treasury
Is the building which Is hereafter to accommo.
date the Department of Justice, and several
other government officials, at rental OF $lS,-
600 per annum. The foundations of the new
State Department building, now being
erected in the rear of the Navy Depart
spite OF Architect Muett's earnest pro-
test to the contrary, he being OF the
opinion that 1t is too soft for this purpose. All
the improvements around the Treasury depart
ment this summer have been made with this
stone; new walks laid with It, and old ones
cultural bureau 1t Is also the favorite material
for all kinds OF purposes And up at the Cap
itol this summer II has been used in immense
quantities In :he general improvements MADE
In the grounds around that locality. In some
instances, as in street, whole thoroughfares
have been paved with 1t. AS the Seneca Build.
ing Stone Association now stands, 1t Is one OF
the most prosperous business institutions in
the country, and most fortunate are they who
own any of its stock.
The published proposals for work in the
national cemeteries, and other public property,
which are prepared by Quartermaster- General
Meigs, and signed by him. require that Seneca
stone and none other shall be used.