The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1840-07-23
MASSAGE OF GOLD AT TnE MINT

A
IN CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA.
Some public charges of extrayagant " Wastage
of Gold at the Branch Mint in Charlotte, North
Carolina, require public correction lest those un-
acquainted with the laws and usages Of the
Mint may believe them TO be true.
For the purpose of enabling the Mint 10 make
returns 10 depositors with as little delay posi-
be after the value Of deposits has been as rtain-
ed by assay-an amount Of public money is kept
at the Mint, in conformity TO an Act of Congress
Supplementary TO the Act entitled " An Act es-
tablishlng Mint and regulating the CONS of
the United States y January 18th, 1919 The
depositors being promptly paid from this fund in
COIN, the gold bullion becomes the property Of
the United States and is regularly transferred, at
its STANDARD value, 10 the Meter and Rchner 10
undergo various processes, according to the pc
culiar character of the different deposits and, ul
timately, to be east into STANDARD ingots, which
are delivered to the Conner for Coinage The
inferior qualities Of gold, namely those united with
alloys remelted with large admlxture OF fine
silver This combination is subsequently, sepdr.
ated by acid aud as the gold changes It's form and
fineness il is exposed to a temporary wastage
which is unavoidable.
The black lead pots and pot covers the sand
crucibles and the FIRE bricks Of the melting fur.
naces often retain particles Of god-thesu are
put aside TO be pounded sitied and washed to col
lect the grains The cinders and ashes from the
fires, the sweepings from the floors are also pre-
seryed--and every worn out combustibe or frang.
IDLE implement used about tbs Mint is carefully
placed aside by the workman. From these econ
oinical collections the precious metals obtlin
ed, as closely possible, by repeated oNamina.
tons and waslIngs; but there still remains a val
liable refuse, called the sW ceps," composed Of
ashes, sand, black lead and DIRT containing very
minute portions of metal, which require the &C.
ton Of a strong smelling furnace TO separate the
gold from lis impurities. To obtain tins remain
der the " sweeps" are transported at convenient
opportunities to Q distance.
BY an Act Of Congress il il arranged that once
at least, in every yoar, the Meter and Refner,
shall deliver up all the bullion in his possession,
IN order that his account may be settled to that
time and in this settlement lie shall be entitled
TO credit for the difference between the whole
amount of bullion delivered to him, and received
from him, since the last settlement, as an allOtr-
Gnce for necessary UGSfe; provided, that this al
lowanca shall not exceed two thousandths of the
whole amount Of Gold and Silver bullion respec.
lively, that had been delivered to him. By sim
liar regulation, the Conner is entitled to a credit
not exceeding one and half thousandths upon
the bullion delivered TO him. These are the only
Officers of the Mint to whom any "wastagc Is
by law allowed OF By whom it can properly be
encountered.
From the commencement Of the operations of
this Branch Mint 10 the l., OF January 1910, Gold
Bullion equal in value TO about $4,000 avoiding
fractons) has passed through the hands OF the
Meter aud Retiner and the Coiner respectively.
These officers have claimed cred! Of 1914 50
which was their absolute aggregate deficiency at
the termination Of the two years operations OF the
Mlnt--which amount IL much within the legal
limits. Duang the period above referred to- a
large quantity Of "swccps" had accumulated
which we're sent away in barrels at the commence
menl of this year L. the month Of Jane, OF the
present year, the Aleilcr and Re6ner received
al account OF the sale OF the sweeps" the whole
value of which was found BY assay at The Mint in
Philadelphia to be SOL Is, at which rate they
were sold to a refner and smel'er Of the trade in
New York This shows that the whole loss to
the United States, by the wastage," was 10 dol
lars and AZ cents.
The custom which has prevailed Of making the
"wsstage Of gold" promInen, item in the cap
ton or heading Of the appropriation by Con
gtess for 4" the contingent eXPences Of the Mint,
might lead some to a misunderstanding upon TIL!
poiut--hut any charge Of unnecessary or eKtraga
giant "wastage Of gold " falls directly upon tn
Meier and ReGner, upon the Conner, aud upot
the respectable Rorkmcu who are employed IN
der their direction, and, therefore, this statement
Is presented TO the public,
As the fund of 80 900 dollars, to pay dcposters
in advance of Coinage is required 10 be exclusive.
" confined TO this object, the amount deman.
ded for necessary wastage al each annual term Is
drawn from The general appropriation for the con.
tingent expenses of the Mint. When a roturn Is
made Of the amount received for the Rchner's
sWeeps' the ne; product is refunded TO that &C
count The wasage of gold, " whatever It may
be, within the legal limits, is therefore held 10 BE-
proper part of The contingent expenses.
In the year 1887, the appropriation by Congress
for "wastage Of Gold and contingent expenses, y
appears as usual There was no wastage of Gold
10 tina. year because there was no coinage. Bot
the other contingent expenses Of the Mint were
larger lhan ordinary during that year, for the sup.
pics Of material the erection Of furnaces, the
fixtures, apparatus and machinery were pnrohas-
ed, transported, errangcd and paid Tor from that
fund Certainly the occupations OF the Meter
and Rtfincr and OF the Coucr were 10, less ardu-
GUS during that year, while preparing for the Sc
scraI details which It became their duty 10 super
irtend, and TO Instruct others in, than at any sub
sequCnt period.
J. H. GIBBON,
AssqVrr. Meter and Rctiaer, I. y, Brach Mint,
JAIN Is, 1910. Charlotte, n. c.
MR.. VAN buren, ALSO IN FAVOR OF