Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1875-07-16
JoTTINGs by TnE wAYsIDr,
Romblerin w,shlng,or.p .

Rambler in Washington, ID. C.-No.
ED. JouRNAIi-The next place now
proceed TO describe is the Treasury De
partment, situated just across the stree,
cast OF the Presidents House. This mon.
ster building that contains the wherew;,l
oy Whlch Uncle Samuel" keeps the ma.
ciinery Of this great nation in rn,nino os
der, is 5S2 feet long by 800 wide includ;no
steps ana pOrticos. 1t il built of Viroini,,
ireestone and granite from Div Island on
the coast OF Maine. The order Of arcIi'
lecture is pure Grecian- Ionic. with Leovv
columns and pilasters running through
three stories, above which is nm attic and
below basement Of two stories. MANY nj
these columns weigh thirtv-three tons each
ihe eap-stones Of the blockinrs are l7xlS
ieet 20 inches thick and weigh AZ ton.
eaeh' The building has four fronts and
contains l95 rooms, besides those in tho
sub-basement designed for heating. mud
st0rerooms in the attic, and cost sc O00
0O0. The objects of SPECIAL interest in Tie
building are the engraving md nrintino
rooms, the cash room, counting rooms rrs
demptlon room and vaults.
The engraving and printing IL dono in
the attic aud visitors are admitted onlv ON
tuesdays and THURSDAYS in the forenoon
In these rooms are the presses for the Anal
printing OF United States bonds. securities
and notes, Irrational currency and internal
revenue stamps. The machinery is rnn bv
lO0-horse power engine About 500 per
sons are employed in-printing. The paper
ls counted as Issued nnd no omnlove is
permitted to leave till all the sheet; ore
turned over to the proper officer.
The particular features of the cash room
are the wa lis, which are of highly POLISH
ed marble from all parts of the world and
oi different colored varieties.
Ihe room for counting the currency is
west OF this, where none but the EMPLOYEES
are permitted to enter, except bv permis-
SION OF the Secretary of the Treasury, This
work Is done by ladies, who receive from
% I'Voo to Sl,50J per year. The facility
ana accuracy with which their nimble fin
gers accomplish the work, is not ONLY mar
Ve!ons put extremely crediabe to their
SKI ana their qualifications for this branch
OF inc department are said TO be of a sumo
rior character.
Inc vaults in which "Uncle Sam" keeps
MS currency can only be seen on a written
permit from the Treasurer, whose Office is
III II 'ne northeastern part of the building on
u .Iie hrSt hoor. Obtaining this permit from
treasurer Spinner, was accompanied hy
an errand boy to the cashier, who immediI
aieiy repaired to the vault, which is made
oil steel and chilled iron, l5x20 feet. The
amount usually on hand is about $40 0OO.-
ooO, inclnding coin. The currency is kept
IN packages in wooden boxes or drawers.
ana the coin in bags. Near the door is an
elevator used to convey the money from
vanlts above to the express office below. As
high as -, 100000 have been shipped in
uay todltierent tsubtreasuries. Another vault |
near by built in the same manner, is used
Tor Keeping the National Bank bonds. This
|, also as visited by presenting the permit to
u me Shiet OF the Division OF National Banks. |
+ + 'eho these officers places his official |
stamp on the permit.
To be continued R,Mn1rp