The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-03-21
ssTAUNTON, VIRGINIA. MARCH 81. 1875

has great Teal OF the fnlib VI IluinaH kiiu-
ness in his composition, he knows his duty,
and is stranger to Partially. So II any
printer in the VALLEY VIRGINIAN can live
outside of the Government Printing Office
and make buckle and tongue meet in good
old Staunton, he had better rest content,
and stay far away from Washington, unless
he can s'set up" 600 ems, distribute histype
and correct his proofs IN eight hours In
this room all dement's are set. John Hem
~ BoEer, OF North Carolina,a writer OF some
distinction, and the author of several ex-
quisite poems, is employed as a compositor.
His last book, 'sSparrows among the snow,'
is highly commended by the Southernpress,
especially of his native State. He is Presi-
dent Of the Typographical Union of this
District. Here also is employed Oscar AL
ezander. a native of Virginia, who has
worked at tile case for fifty years, and has
all the zeal and enthusiasm Of . youth 90.
How sweet is the click A4l}
OF the quad in the stick
to this old man yet, though to tell the truth,
quads are sometimes scarce, even in this big
office.
The Job-Room is where all the Post office
blanks and letter heads and Internal Reve-
nue. blanks are printed. Major Oscar Nealy,
son Of Mrs. Mary Nealy, the poetess, is
foreman Of this room, and knows how 'sto
put up job" and how it should be done.
This is the latest part Of the office, and
sometimes a fellow can set fifty thousand
ems day and get home to drive the cows
up before night.
The next Department, I will make men.
ton of, is the Piece Department., where the
Supreme Court work is done, together with
the printing OF the Court of Claims and the
odds and ends of all copy that comes in the
Document Room. Will Norton is foreman
ofthis part of the office. He is one, OF the
Grand High Priests of Temperance. Hates
whiskey, but loves all the boys under his
charge. He swears very gently sometimes
but it is soon over. He has been in the Of
fee fer upward Of IL years; knows every
thing about printing. and Is a very master
of his trade. Bill Norton is good authority
for every thing about the office. Charles F..
Ford, ir., of Fairfax c. H., is employed in
this Department, and is quite fast.
The Specification Room is assigned for the
composition of work for the Patent-ofice
John Askew is foreman Of this room. Fol
the sake of brevity he signs himself Jack S
! Q. In the Record Room is printed the Con-
gressional Record or journal Of Congress
There are 70 compositors employed. They
have to work all night. OYSTERS foreman
and man named Beach is assistant. These
names seem out of place away from thu
rivers, and the boys call the Room "Tht
| Oyster Saloon.'
| The Book-Bindery employs 399 hands,
about 200 women. The book-binders receive
| So 20 pr diem. and the women about $I.S(
pr day. I. A. ROBBERS is foreman, and Jas
| W. White assistant. Mr.. Charles Lemon has
charge of the sewing-roonl. W
The Folding-Room is presided over b.
Thomas B. Penicks. He has under his charg
three hundred ladies and 40 men. jus
think what task 1t is to have 800 ladies tt
manage and keep quiet. He must have tn
patience Of Job. Some come to work II
silks. some in calico. He treats all alike
Some make So a day, others 80 cents. The.
get 60 cents thousand sheets fer folding
ssNo partiality shown is the motto of Mr.
Penicks. This is the secret of his success.
| OF the Stereotype-Room but little need b
said. Here every form is stereotyped ant
the plate preserved. The proof-readers ant
the compositors fail to think alike some
times, that is they sometimes disagree, ant
a black proof is the result, but these are er
rors of the head and not of the heart, ant
the boys are ready to forgive them. Whel
| you next visit the city drop down in Swan
poodle and see the big print-shops and &c
acquainted with the boys who put thought
in type and print for uncle Sam.
In my next will send you description o
the Smith .oniaa Institute and the curiostie
therein.
The death of ex-senator Wade il lament
ed by large circle of his friends. a q
The passage of the Silver bill is still th
town talk. What will we do with our silve
If we get any? -t
The Saturday afternoon receptions OF Mrs
Hayes are very popular. She Is loved b
everybody, especially the little children.
Very few Virginians are in the city.
| News is scarce. More anon. L. H. B.