The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-05-20

the Comptroller of the Currency, as increasing,
in some degree, the responsibility of these in
stitutions and this fact, among others, led to
the organization of the Safety Vault Company,
who have now completed their splendid vault
and safes in the Savings Bank building on Elk.
change street On Saturday the premises were
throw open to such of the public as are inter
ested in such an institution, and many availed
themselves of the privilege, especially bank
people, who are familiar with the process of
getting and keeping money, and editors, who
are not familiar with money, but are curious to
know the process. A general description of
the vault-whichis said to be the strongest and
best in New England-may not be uninterest-
ing The foundation is mass of masonry
and railroad iron, "a by IL feet, resting on a
LEDGE The superstructure is of generally the
same material, so mixed in the construction as
TO render it invulnerable to burglars, even
though days should be allowed them to pene-
trate the walls, and not even the intense fire of
1885, should be repeated, would affect the inte-
rior in the least The vault is lined with thick
nesses of chilled iron There are 1912 strong
boxes in the interior, of four sizes, from 6
inches to about ~ 12 inches, and all of them
IA inches deep. Each is secured by patent
lock. The floor of the vault is carpeted, and
the interior is neat and tasty and impevious to
moisture. The vault is secured by two doors
composed of iron and steel, the inner one five
inches thick, the outer one % inches thick
Each is fastened by two locks, the Damon and
the lsham, which are capable of millions of
| changes The approach to the vault is guarded
| by an iron SCREEN which fills the whole size of
the room and in which is an elegant gate Sc
cured by patent lock. Outside of the screen
is the managers desk. Watchmen are on duty
every hour of the day and night, Sundays and
holidays included. They are prohibited from
sleeping or going outside or admitting any one
within the screen excepting employees and de-
posltors. The watchmen can neither lock or
unlock the doors of the vault, as it requires the
presence of both manager and vault-keeper to
unlock them. The outer door of the vault is
beautiful work of art Above it are two bronze
statuettes of knights in armor and the notices
Slides ct Justitia, !" 'sFlammes Derideo," and
''Contemno Fures,' and beneath them the
words Portland Safe Deposit Vault Company
The door itself represents panel enclosed in
green, blue and gilt, with the inscription Soon
structed by American Steam Safe Co., Boston,
under the supervision of George L. Damon,
1872" Under the lock ia the seal of the State
of Maine, elegantly painted. In the rear of
the vault is large room, finely furnished with
black walnut and carpeted with Brussels On
each side is long desk, partitioned off for each
person, SO that depositors can examine their
valuables and be secure from the observation of
their neighbors. A grating like that in the
front office prevents all ingress from Market
street. On the right of the vault is commo-
dious wash room. The rooms are well located,
both for safety and business purposes, in the
immediate vicinity of the post Office and the
City Government House-between which points
the police are constantly patrolling-the prem
ises are open to observation from both streets,
by the police who have an eye to the premises.
In the same way the rooms are open to the OBJ
servation of depositors or any others interested,
as well as to the notice of the many constant
passers on two great thoroughfares of the city,
during the night and early morning. The an
nual rent of the boxes range from SIS to $50,
according to size, and we are glad to know that
considerable number are already taken. This
institution commends itself to people who de-
sire safe deposit for bonds, money, jewels or
plate. The expense is merely nominal when
compared with the advantages-a trifling per
centage for person holding only few thous-
and dollars worth of valuable papers. The
rooms are to he opened for business this morn
ing. Robert A Bird, esq.,, is the manager-a
gentleman well known in the community as
having filled many important and trusty posi-
tions in this city. si'9iA .7 i ~,
The WAUMBEcK HovsE.-PeopIe who pro-
pose to visit the White Mountains the coming
season, either for recreation or a prolonged stay
are invited to read the advertisement of the
Waumbeck House. Its location is unsurpassed
in the mountain region for extent and beauty of
scenery, and Mr.. Plaisted, the late Landlord,
has made it a delightful home for his guests
He will remain connected with the house for
the season. a gaA $3.50
CIDER.-One of our Market Square firms of
oyster dealers who were affected by the enforce
ment of the SHERIFF act" have taken good le-
gal counsel in relation to the cider clause, and
under advice have begun to retail cider. They
are agents for large manufacturer, and act
under written certificate of such fact from
him. We understand the dealers in several
other cities in the State have gone to selling I'M
der similar circumstances. r0 bs5E ! Hoo Z
TEMPERANCE MEETNG.-The temperance
meetings which were announced to take place
at Preble chapel and Arcana Hall last evening
were adjourned to meet at City Hall, where
Sergeant Amber had promised to speak. The
evening was occupied by the Sergeant, Frank
Murphy and Lieut.. Howe and M. G. Palmer,
Esq Although there was but handful of peo-
pie present the meeting was good one and
much enthusiasm was manifested. A contri-
button was taken up for Sergeant Amber
M. G. Palmer presided. .il9er-l Nr.a "A
SALE OF PAINTINGs-On Thursday next
Messrs Schumacher Bros will offer for sale at
auction at their store, in Deering Block, col
lection of ninety paintings, by native and for
eign artists-such as Harry Brown, Miss Skeele,
Stone of Boston, s. L. Gerry, Chas. J. Schu-
macher, Miss Quincy, Hudson, Enneking, F
r. Frost, Batchelder, &C. The collection is
good, and some of the pieces are remarkably
fine. They will be sold without reserve, and
some good bargains may be looked for. alai
Ferry Village. -.s 81