National Republican., 1886-11-03
\ HANDSOME IMPROVEMENT.
The National Bank OF the Republic In
It's Eev Dress,

When the National Bank OF the Repub-
lie, little over year ago, renewed It's
financial life for another twenty years, II
was decided by the officers and directors Of
that inetitutlonto have home In keeping
with the standing Of the bank in this com.
munity and comfortable for It's employees
and customers. The improvement has just
been completed and there is porf, o. trans
formation on the site where the bank for
mefly transacted business. The house IN
which matters relating to finances will be
considered hereafter, can fairly and Justly
claim to be the finest. and most convenient
banking house in this District. and this elo-
giant Improvement speaks well for the en-
terpriEo OF business men OF this commu-
nifty. The alterations were made under the
immediate supervision of DR.. David B.
Clarke, the able president Of the bank, aud
popular gentleman, aud rejects credit upon
his good taste and judgment. The changes
on that floor Of the building are complete,
and extend from wall to wall. Entering
the bank from Seventh street you are con.
frCnted by the receiving and paying tellers'
counters, which stand back from the front
wall some ten feet, the space between being
used for the patrons Of the bank, and
While writing shelf standsby the windows
for their further convenience. The
counter is Of fine design and finish, with
the ID street wall to the left of the paying
teller's position, all the way round TO the
entrance of The Franklin Insurance Com
pnny's Office. On top OF the slab rests
tall bronzed fender, not so much TO hold
employees in as to keep thieves out. inside
the counter will be found Cashier Bradley,
and corps OF efficient bookkeepers and
clerks with abundant space to perform
their duties, while the two tellers are shut
into separate spaces With their money, aud
insured freedom from interruption in hand.
ling the same. A wall that formerly stood
ut the west end Of the bank proper has
been removed and the space utilized. Ga
ST iST iis the Keeping Of fF'pTGSt tSs DSaHs yspt
while on the rights another for the moneys,
bonds, &C., and between the two Is a short
pessage way leading to the Office of Presi-
dent Clarke. The vault for the safekeep.
ing OF the moneys, &C., is known as Her.
ring vault, and was constructed with great
regard for security aud durability. It's
foundation passes through the basement
into the ground. The walls of the vault
are ofmasonry two feet thick, and these are
lined with chilled steel an inch in thick
ness. There are three doors to the vault,
one directly In front Of the other. While
all are strong, the one on the outside per-
forms, OF course, the most important work.
On this is one OF Sargent & ,Grecnleat's
llne LOCKS, winch DhYO proven 80 oHectiVe.
The operation Of this piece of mechanism
not only battles burglars, but even shuts
out the employees from opening the vault
until the time arrives, when the clock will
start the bolts and let the financial work Of
q day be entered upon. The ceiling OF the
bank has been handsomely frescoed, while
wainscoting in beautiful ash sets
off the side wall and new
marble slabs makes the floor.
The presidents room, which now enjoys
direct communication with the bank, has
been thoroughly renovated, redressed,
and refurnshed, and placed In keeping with
the appearance OF the bank. In making them
selves comfortable the bank officials have
also remembered their neighbor and tenant,
and the Office OF the Franklin Insurance
Company shows the result OF the march of
progress, and that corporation now enjoys
a pretty abiding place. The remaining
space, that adjacent to the insurance Office,
is fitted up with closets and wash rooms,
and the comfort Of those connected with
the bank has been looked after in every
particular This change made by the bank,
SO extensive and general has doubtless
been very expensive, but II is safe to pre-
diet that in keeping abreast Of the times
and making their institution attractive,
comfortable, and convenient the officers Of
the National Bank OF the Republic have
shown wisdom, and will be amply repaid
ere the twenty years release Of life as u
hnult sholl nyf,ira