The Logan County banner. [volume] (Logan, W. Va.) 1889-1903, 1891-05-28
UNCLE SANS FIRsT MINT.
Whore the First Coins OF the Republic
Were Turned Out.

Whore the First Coins OF the Republic
We're Turned Out.
The subject of a new mint, so long
and earnestly discussed, is once more
being agitated at Washington. Should
the proposed legislation be effected and
the present mint building be aban-
doned, the change cannot be made be-
fore the centennial anniversary of the
founding Of the mint will have passed,
and 1t is worthy Of note that in an en-
tire century only one such removal has
taken place. &
The act establishing the United States
mint was passed April ., 1904, and steps
were at once taken to erect q suitable
structure in which to domieile the new
department. The seat of the federal
government was In the state house and
other buildings in Independence square,
and 1t was desirable that the mint be
located as near that spot as possible. A
site was secured upon the east side of
Seventh street, above Sugar alley, after
ward called Farmer and now known as
Filbert street, in Philadelphia.
Here plain brick building was erect
ed in the summer of 1702. The coming
presses arrived from England in Sep
TENDER and operations began In the
early part Of October, the material for
starting coming, six pounds Of old cop
per, having been purchased few days
before The machinery Of the mint
was moved by horse power. The first
regular returns Of coins to the treasury
was made March !, 1903, and consisted
OF II, 17s centa The renowned scientist,
David Rittenhouse, was appointed d.
rector Of the mint April IA, 1902,
within fortnight after the pas
sage of the act referred to above.
He was eminently qualified for
the position and was thoroughly
imbued with . sense Of the responsible
ity attaching to his Office. It Is related
that upon more than one occasion he
paid bills for mint supplies ont Of his
private funds because he considered
them exorbitant His spacious residence
was at the corner Of Seventh and Arch
streets, but . short distance from the
mint Rittenhouse died In 1895, and
the second director Of the mint was an
other prominent parsonage, Dr. Elias
Boudinot, whose name Is still we'll
known one to Phila.lclphians The
famous Rose Hill estate in Kensington,
where the patriot lived, is now being
rapidly hidden from sight under thou
sands Of dwellings, but the Boudinot
schoolhouse at indiana and d streets,
perpetuates the memory OF the family.
As the nation grew older and richer
enlarged facilities for coming money
became imperative, and accordingly d
site was procured on Chestnut street
west Of Juniper, and here The present
structure was begun in 1899. The new
building was occupied in 1881. The
architects engaged upon the plans, Will-
lam Strickland and John Haviland and |
others. endeavored to design structure
as nearly classical a. the purposes Of |
the building would permit With the
various changes and additions made 81
late years. particularly In the mansard |
roof put on by Superint< ndent Fox, the |!
effect has been m great measure de- |
stroyed. and the tiny building Il over
shadowed on every side BY lofty struct-
nres which dwarf is appearance and |
make the most important govevnment |
otilce In the country seem mean and u |
chicago NeWA