Evening star., 1901-12-14


yania. Under President Jackson, John
Campbell of Virginia was commissioned as
treasurer May 26, 1879. aud the Office during
his ten years, ending July 90. 1889. was
changed somewhat In its business methods
as wen as personnel. This was due 10 the
change OF the financial policy OF the gov
ernment and consequent increase OF bust
ness, as well as to the adoption to some
extent at least OF the principle TO the VIC
tors belong the spoils." One or two OF the
old employees were dropped and four or FIVE
new clerks were appointed. Among the
latter were Andrew Smith, Henry jackson
and Samuel Forrest, and Col Peter q.
washington was the chief clerk The latter
was afterward the chief clerk OF the de-
retary.
A radical change was also made this time
by nre, IN Mr.. CampbelIs time, for the
building Was so nearly destroyed, April 80,
1893, that other quarters were necessary.
IL was alleged that the building was set
afire by one Of the clerks and he was ar
rested and tried, but acquitted.
Several buildings on the site now occu-
pied by the Hotel Regent, at the corner OF
pennsylvania avenue and 18th street were
secured for the use OF the department.
These were three-storied brick dwellings.
ana In a day or two the department re-
sumed business. the treasurer's Office being
located about five doors east OF 10Th street
This was on the ground floor. the two
rooms In the main building being occupied
by the clerks while Mr.. Campbell located
IN the back building, In the room used be-
1ore as the kitchen. An octogenarian who
before the civil war, spent the greater por-
tlon or his life in the department and whose
tather was there before him. is authority
Tor the statement that the heads of de-
partments and bureaus and the employees
TOOK matters In those days In a free and
easy manner; that few had duties which
required continuous labor and In some
cases the clerks were so efficient that but
little time was required TO keen their
desks up. He states that he knew one
clerk who had the reputation OF being a
nshthlng calculator, and who seldom spent
more than week in a month I'm keeping
MS work up-to-date. Another who sllbse-
quently became a leading democratic editor
ana politician, was prompt in reporting at
O'Clock in the morning would read the
morning papers, look over his desk and see
IL there was not too much work iu sight
and II the weather was suitable he would
take his gun, and, in a few hours, south
or the Presidents house, would bag n
number Of birds, and not infreouentIy a
few rabbits.
During Mr.. Campbelrs term, in conse-
quence of the removal Of the government
deposits from the banks the treasurer be-
came the actual custodian Of the public
moneys and vaults, for its safe keeping
We're necessary, as were also the facilities
usually found In banks. Consequently,
When the new building authorized by the
act or July 4, 1886. was constructed these
facilities for handling and keeping the
money We're provided. That portion OF
SohNShohS 1iOillllB on l0tn street was nrSt
erected and a small vault constructed in a
room destined for the use of the treasurer
His suite comprised several rooms on the
east side of the main hall of the south
wing, but were only temporary, and We're
occupied Tor year or two only.
Col. SeIden Becomes Treasurer
Succeeding Mr.. Campbell was Col. VIM.
Selden, afterward United States marshal
for the District and in the banking busi-
ness. He was appointed by President Van
Buren July %. 1889, and served under Har-
rison, Tyler, Polk and Taylor, vacating un-
der Mr.. Fillmore November %, 1850. Undsr
him the Office was moved to what was in
tended to be its permanent quarters in the
west wing of the building. then in course Of
construction. Here In the first room on the
north side of the hall was constructed q
massive stone vault for the money, while
the adjoining room on the west was fur
nished for the counting room.
The six rooms on the south side Of this
hall accommodated the treasurer ana his
ertire official force. Col. William Beverly
Randolph OF Virginia, son-in-law of Gen.
James M Llngan, prominent in the early
history of the country, who had been a
clerk in the registers office since the twen-
ties, was the chief clerk and filled that no.
sifion for about quarter of a century.
W illiam H. West, afterward chief clerk OF
the department; Samuel Bootes of George
town, Dr. c. w. Handy, Hopkins Light
ner of Lancaster. Pa: Henry Broolkes Of
Virginia, and Jonathan Guest Were then at
clerical work, while Mat w. ID. Mutt OF
Virginia and Anthony Mclean OF Alex
andria had charge OF the vault and money
room, and James Moore before mentioned
was still assistant clerk and messenger,
and Messrs. Jackson and Smith were grow
ing old In the service
Following Col. Selden was John Sloane,
one Of the pioneers of Ohio and an old gem
tleman Of the most genial open-hearted
disposition. His method of dealing with
the clerks is illustrated by the recital Of
al incident. On one occasion a clerk ap-
peared promptly at o'clock to ask for
leave of absence for the day, according to
the rules. and, waiting tn he had barely
time to keep his engagement, went of
without seeing MIR. Sloane, who was few
minutes late. The following day he called
on the treasurer and explained how he had
taken holiday and asked for it. THAT was
right" said the good-natured old man;
you've had one day, and when You want
another take it and ask for 1t afterward
and you'll be sure OF II, but DO not let
your work suffer-
Advanced I'm Years.
Mr.. Sloane was well up in years when he
entered the treasurership in November. 1850.
and served till April 9. 1853. His sigma
ture, well remembered by some. was a bold.
heavy one, and was often referred to as in
the class with those of John Hancock and
Drake De Kay He wrote with a goose
quill laden with such copious supply OF
ink that the standing joke in the office was
that the contractor for stationery was maxi
ing more profit on his ink than on blank
books, paper. &c.
Then came in under Pierce's administra-
ton, Colonel Samuel Casey of Kentucky
April 4, 1853, and he served through that
administration and into that Of Mr.. Bu-
chanan, till December %, 1859, when Gen.
eral w. c. Price Of Missouri was appoint
ed. the last of the ante-bellum treasurers.
The latter served until March 2l, 1861. re-
signing under Mr.. Lincoln. Though the
business of the office was on the increase,
the clerical force had not in number ex-
ceeded twenty annually in its sixty years
of operation in this city. The growth of
business had, however, worked a change,
and the free and easy customs disappeared,
as the necessity for keeping up the work
grew. Indeed, keeping up the business Of
the office, both on the money and clerical
sides. demanded constant attention, and
less letter writing and reading Of papers
was engaged in, and leaves OF absence were
only obtained by arrangement to have the
wcrk kept up TO date.
The treasurers who served prior to 1851
are all dead w. Q. Price, who resigned at
the breaking out Of the civil war being the