Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1852-07-03
BANKS AND couNrenrErr NOTES.

uS'Cio upOh thNh iuSVo' DOtu cpSStSS u't
well calculated TO and do deceive, and in
almost all cases the loss falls upon those
least able 10 sustain it. So extensive has
the business Of making bad money become
that the numerous monthly "Detectors"
are not able TO keepthe public apprised oil
the daily issues OF the manufactures. The
detection of counterfeit money has become
a science, and we find, in addition to the
many periodicals published on the subject,
professors OF the science travelling about
the country to instruct us in this very use.
ful branch. Scarcely a daily newspaper
but has its standing head of "new counter
fets" and the list and description under
that head occupy very respectable portion
of The column. Every one reads them and
every man OF business makes them his
study. Our laws against making, uttering
and passing counterfeit bank notes are as
stringent and severe as necessary. They
are enforced upon the convict with prompt
ness and rigor. But in spite of all law and
all prudence the circulation is undiminish- |
ed-nay it is increasing.
The punishment Of the crime does not
always fall upon those really guilty. A
poor or unsuspecting man or woman is often
made the innocent agent of the real coun
terfpiter. A stranger often passes bad
note, by mistake. The fraud is discovered
and he is at once arrested. The chances
are, that if he has any amount of money
upon his person, that strict search will
detect another bill of similar character, and
he is at once condemned. There is proba-
bly, not man in the community who has
not innocentIy assisted in circulating coun-
terleit notes, and his only safeguard against
suspicion and punishment, is his good repu-
taton. Among strangers the best man
would be liable to the danger of arrest and
its disagreeabe consequences. Cases Of
the kind have often occurred and will oc
cur again. He may be liberated, but the
Scathing breath of suspicion has left its in
eGacable brand upon him, which he can
never forget.
The crime is increasing; its consequent
ces are dangerous to the whole community
Who suffers the loss when a counterfeit
note is detected Not the bank, for whose
convenience and profit notes are permitted
to circulate. The moment bad note is
presented at the desk Of the bank whose
issue it purports TO be, it is returned as
worthless. The pecuniary loss falls upon
the holder. If he be stranger and un-
known, more serious damage will occur ;
he may expiate the innocent error in frl-
on's cell. The bank suffers no loss, scarce
y any inconvenience. It's officers may
pronounce any of its notes, which happen
to be well worn in its service, counterfeit
and reject them as the ungrateful master
casts off faithful but disabled servant
, None but the bank officers can prove the
note genuine or spurious. The holder i.
without recourse. The evil calls for some
more efiicacious remedy. The consequen'
ces OF the manufacture and circulation O
counterfeit notes must fall somewhere ant
where should they fall but upon the inst
tutions through whose existepce they ar,
D occaSioned. If we had no banks, ther,
could be no counterfeit notes. Bank note
i are issued for the convenience of their ma
y kers; should the makers not be responsible,
e for the evils they occasion? If Bans
were compelled 10 redeem every note pur
porting 10 be issued by them, there woult
soon be an end OF the circulation OF spuri
Gus notes. A clause to that effect in thei
II charters, would be of incalculable service
They would then be compelled to hav
such plates engraved as could not easily b
=, initiated. They would feel deeper in
terest in the detection OF counterfeiters.
J. combination of all the banking institution
le in the United States would be formed t
IN suppress the making Of spurious money
Such league would be irresistible. N
eS police force could De half as effective. !
u a few years the business OF counterfeitin
would be at an end.
rs o. Another prisoner escaped from OF
Jail last week. The walls must be sngl
:" larly defective; yet the grand juries a
ways report them in good order. The onl
49, way the Sheriff can keep prisoner safel
i, is TO chain him to the hoor-a barbarit
no which he can not be expected TO perp'
We trate.
VI xXXI CONGRE Ess-First Session
Id, WASHINGTON, June 30.
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