National Republican., 1877-02-26
OUR RECORDERS OFFICE.

Peeping at the District Records and Their
Custoslian-Where They are Kept and In
What Condition-New Quarters and u
Safer Place OF Deposit Needed = Space
Greatly In Demand,
The City Hall building not only covers con-
siderable space, but within the walls, 1t might be
ssid, a myriad Of lives is entombed. Not that
the bodies are there inferred, but the acts hts
tories and behosts Of men are lucidly set forth.
These, by careful research, could be reproduced
TO portray numerous chapters In their career
that were unknown, publicly, when they walked
terra .frmd In the days Of yore. These musty old
papers are hidden beneath deep coating OF cob
webs and dust, which, II shaken OF, unfoided and
examined. would furnis Information enriching
the mind Of the inquisitor, and at the Same time
enlightcn him as to the doings Of the sarly SET
tiers Of the District, their habits wealth, gene.
alogy and demise and also store the seat Of learh
ing with knowledge that might prove Infinitely
USEFUL IN THE YEARS TO CONE
In the settlement Of disputed questions, arising
out Of real estate transactions or the decisions in
suits Of litigation, upon which DEGREES had been
passed, or those where property had been be.
queathed or received by indorsament. There
could also be found, should occasion require II,
the criminal record Of many who went down to
their graves in disgrace, Stunned and unrecog.
nized by the better portion Of the community,
and that Of some still living with biots upon
their lives This record of criminal history has
grown with ponderous books with no prospect Of
diminishing in the future. The question OF se-
rious consideration now is where can room. sui.
hcient, be secured for the safe deposIting OF all
these valuable papers. Not at the City Hall
unless some alterations are made In the achitec.
tural arrangement Of the edihce for as Of present
set OF, every available space has become utilized
and the oihcials are cfamped for room. A peep
into some OF these departments will probably
prove OF interest to the readers OF the REPUHLi.
CAN, and II viii be given for their informal ion
tine OF the chief places Of interest is
THE oFrIoE or THE RECORDER oP DEEDS,
Here may be found stacked away pile upon pile
.oi papers in every nook and corner, until space
greatly in demand. This Is the repository Tor tho
proofs OF the transfers In real estate and the evil
dences on ME Of this character date back to the
infant days OF The Districts existence as an indie
pendent territory. More recently there has been
made part of the record, under q late law, the
incorporation of those companies and ASSOCIATIONS
desirous Of becoming body -corpOrates without
being compelled TO seek Congress aud secure a
shnrter This can now be accomplished by the
Recorders certificate, and obyiates much OF the
annoyance and trouble previously existing. In
ms respect the proof can be produced whenever
inspecting Necessary be record lSr any bPGspoS' BY
win he found oarenliy and distinctly
isgued from time to time, TO corporate bodies
established in this ten miles square, and who
are now operating undOr this authority. some
Of the corporations have become obsolete and
passed into oblivion. either through business
ruptures or the iulhllment of the purposes iSr
which they were created. But even were this SO
In all the cases
THE RECORD WOULD STILL RE PRRpEruATEp,
and It's value undimnished as a source OF refer
snce. II would show, and be undisputed authority
as 10 the existence Of old corporations, were they
ever called In question at any time or IN the
event Of lawsuit sprInging up between
parties, and this sort Of Information being
other branch of the office, where are stocked the
Jetds and evidences Of transfer in real estate,
form such valuable collection Of papers that ii
II unnecessary TO dwell further upon their i'm.
portnnce. 1t % here that the Examiners in Chan
Gerry hnd a iayorI,e abiding place, and, during
examinS titles, tracing out sales and transfers'
and endeayoring TO make clear claims for those
holding property, or, in default to show It's status
10 others expecting TO receive II as collateral for
whethSf Il stands Tree Of encunbrancc, "a or lie.
buried beneath a mountain OF mortgages The
three small rooms daily, and the constant
STREAM OF SEEKERS APTER INFORMATION,
cannot be conjectured, but It is safe to saw that
the building. Simon Woli, Esd has oScupicd ,Hs N,
losition o. Recorder for several years past and
appreciated the true requirements Of the oIHce
SSsTteogs SaT &c and senteman!y In his bearing pol.
sition that is both felt and appreciated by tbose
having business dealings with him. Tie legal
a,ssrny haNe , many man Opportunities Of business
Of commentator favorable 10 himself and Tho
corps OF efficient employees establishes at one
his popularity with the profession.
rms department badly needs a better location
Tor It's papers and more secure place OF custody
THE ROOMS NOW IS rsE
are old, poorly lighted and ventilated with IlttIe
~ no convenience for those who are compelled 10
frequent them, and show the ravages OF wears on
every side. The woodwork is dry as cindcTs
cracked and Scared, almost forgotten by paint
while the walls are yellow from Time assIst ted by
Amoko, and give no Indication whatever Of their
early purity and sweetness.
While the outside walls are OF brick, stlll within
there cannot be given that safe depOsitlng Of the
papers they arc entitled TO and ought TO receive.
An once suitable for the department, should he
provided elsewhere, OF easy access and supplied
not only with modern convcnlences, bat strong
vaults where the deeds, certificates and other
valuable papers could be deposited safe from n re
water or any other destructive power.
South Wa sl,iaotnu = . uninp