Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-01-28
DELIGHTFUL TRIP
CONTINUED from page I. !

nected with 1t, and many of them have
associations connected with them, dating
back to tho early days of the republic
We stop for moment into the St. John s
Episcopal church where SO many OF the
fashionable weddings of Washington have
been solemnized, and where so many of
the distinguished men and women of the
country have worshipped 1t is modest
| little structure; but rich in IA wealth of
associations, that give it a distinction
enjoyed by few churches in this country
| From its doorway we take our way across
Lafayette park to the White House. On
the way our guide points out the new
theatre building formerly occupied by the
| Seward mansion, where secretary Blaine
lived during the days of the Harrison ad
ministration, and where he and his son
Walker died "Do you see that white
haired gentleman?" asked the guide us
he pointed ont Il passcr by.
| Yes, who Is hc}''
| "That is Robert Blaine, a brother of
the late James e. Blaine. You can see q
| family resemblance can you not?'
"Ycs. we could in the outline of the
features; but Robert Blaine is lacking the
magnificent physique that characterized
his distinguished brother in his best days
He walks with slight stoop and we
watched him with curious interest, as he
crossed the street and disappeared in the
now theatre building, that stands upon
the site of his brother : former home.
We were disappointed in our desire to
visit the White House, the door keeper
briefly informing us that diplomatic
dinner was in progress.
| Passing to the rear of this historic
mansion We made our way to the Wash
| ington monument. where we arrived just
IN time to catch the elevator for the sum
NIT, The view from the top of this
monument is indescrbably grand, and
should not be missed by any visitor to the
national capital, AS you look from the
narrow windows Of the upper landing the
| city Of Washington lies below you like a
panorama. Every street and building Is
| distinctly visible and looking across the
waters of the Potomac fine view of the
| Virginia shore is afforded, including
| Arlington Heights, the old home of Gen
erel Robert K. Lee. In the distance too,
we get fine look at the buildings of the
| Soldiers Home, and the Georgetown
| University. 1t is an outlook that one can
| never tire of, and we leave it reluctantly.
for the return to the base. From the
monument, it is only short walk to the
| bureau Of engraving and printing, where
the paper money, bonds, revenue and
postage stamps of the country are en-
graved and printed. 4 special depart
ment guide showed us through this build
ing. The money of this country is all
hand printed. Each printer has an
assistant, who examines each impression
to see that there are no imperfections.
Five hundred people are employed Oh the
floor where this work is done, and it is
needless to say that they are under the
closest supervision. Mr. FL. Danton.
formerly foreman of Il. c. Aliens electro
type plant, is in charge of one division Of
this force, and it is needless to say that
he performs its exacting duties with
great efficiency. Mr. Dunton kindly
showed us about the department, explain
ing in detail the methods employed in
the work, Each sheet of paper is large
enough to print four bills The printer
must give an exact account of every
sheet that he is credited with If one
should be missing the entire force is kept
until it is found. No discrepancies how
ever trilling, are permitted in the daily
balance. In its original form, four bills
to the sheet the money is carefully
counted by "A force Of lady experts 1t is
then numbered on special machines made
for the purpose and put up into packages
with board at the top and bottom. care
fully sealed, and sent to the treasury de-
partment for separation and distribution
Leaving the bureau of engraving and
printing we take our way to the capitol,
stopping for a short time to make flying
visit to the wonders of the national
museum.
1t was rather a quiet day in congress
sional circles. Our own able Senator
Hale had just introduced his resolution
relative to the establishing of cable CON
neCtions with Tie Hawaiian Islands. and
was just concluding his remarks when we
entered the Senate gallery. He was fol
lowed by the Populist senator Allen.
who is undoubtedly the ablest member Of
his party in Washington Senator Allen
did not oppose the building of a cable to
the Hawaiian Islands; but believed that
it should be built and operated by the
United States government. He thought
that there was altogether too great u dis
position to cedc to corporations privileges
that might much better he reserved to the
be willing to support the proposition if it
were practical. What both wanted was a
cable connection with the Hawaiian
lslands. Upon this point they were
agreed, aud it seemed to him chandler. }
that they should be able to unite upon
any practical plan that promised to bring
about the desired result 1t was obvious
that proposition for the government to
build and operate such cable could
not succeed; it was possible, however to
attain the desired end by giving private
corporation, willing to undertake the
project, the benefits of government back
ing. The matter was finally referred to
the committee on foreign affairs. From
the Senate chamber we went to the
supreme court room. All of the mem
beTs OF the court were in their places with
the exception of Justice Brewer. The
members of this tribunal are certainly
distinguished aud scholarly looking men,
and the American people can assert with
out fear of contradiction that a more able
judicial body cannot be found In the
world
AS we were making our wav TO the
House gallery We caught a glimpsc of
Hon. c. A. Boutelle, the able representa-
tive of the fourth district who was
hurrying down one of the corridors
There" said our guide is man from
Srotp In ic