Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-09-20

though some OF them run as high as $50,
900 and over. Just south OF the White
| House, about half mile from IL, Is the
Washington monument. 1t is over 300
feet high and cost $1,300,000. 1t is sur
rounded by acres upon acres of park, and
little fish pond lies near it's base. The
Department OF Justice, where Attorney
General Garland holds forth, is brown
stone building OF five or SIX stories.
A WIZARD ON THE COUNT.
The mere fact that a man holds posi-
tlon under the government is not always
a sure sign that he is kept in place by
p0litca! influence. 1t must be admitted,
however, that such is the case In nine
instances out Of ten. A few OF the en-
ployes, however, are SO fortunate as to
be able TO safely RELY on individual ability
to keep them in place. Among these is
Patrick Byrnes of the division of loans
In the Treasury Department. For dozen
years not an interest check has left the
department that has not passed through
his hands. The interest on the bonds is
paid quarterly, and to insure absolute
certainty that none Of the checks 90
astray, 1T is absolutely necessary that they
should all be sealed by one individual,
AS the holders OF bonds are represented
In number by many thousands, it would
take three ordinary clerks to do the work,
but Byrnes does the mailing single hand
ed. The checks are brought down from
the loan division and piled on bis desk In
stacks like cord wood. Each one must
get in its right envelope, which has been
previously addressed, then Ryrnes begins
his work. With no mechanical assist
ance except wet sponge he starts in TO
do the sealing. He seals on an average
about fifty minute. How he does it no
one knows. 1t is sleight OF hand, but so
rapidly performed that the eye cannot fol-
low the movement. and in this way he
works all day long. and at the close OF the
departmental day ne has filed three store
boz with sealed envelopes. The checks
vary from $50 to S. 900, and "a single MIS-
take on his part might cost him years.
salary. 1t is safe to say that he never
makes mistake. OF che thousands of
people who quarterly receive these IN
terest checks, few know of the wizard
through whose hands they have passed.
WHITE MARBLE IN DEMAND.
White marble for building purposes
promises 10 become popular in Washing
ton. Since the erection of the new Sun
building, several local capitalists have
decided to put up white marble struc.
lures. Mr.. Hugh SIsson, who supplied
the marble for the Sun building, the Wash
ington monument, the wings of the capi-
tOl, and other public buildings IN this
city, states that six new white marble
buildings are to be constructed here dur
ing the next building season. The plans
and drawings have been prepared and the
contracts for the stone are already made.
One Ofthe new marble buildings will be
erected on r street by a well-known real
estate agent and banker.
W, X. Ryan, of Charleston, S. c., has
purchased a beautiful estate on George
town Heights, near the Presidents suui-
mer residence, known as "DuDbarton
Hail." For several years Mr.. Ryan, who
| is wealthy man, has made Washington
his winter home. Soon after the President
made his famous venture in local real
estate Mr.. Ryan's attention was drawn
to "Dunbarton Hail." which Is sur
rounded by about % acres OF wel-culti-
waited land. He was pleased with the To-
cation and the terms, ana the purchase
followed. "DunbartOn Hall'' Will be re-
modelled and improved, ana MIR. Ryan and
his wife, son and daugh hter expect to spend
their winters there.