The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1854-10-04
The Anti.small Bill Law.


The Anti-Small Bill Law.
AN Act to prohibit the circulation Of For.
eign Bank Bills OF less Denomination
than Ten Dollars.
Sec. l. Be ii enacted BY the General
Assembly Of the State Of Ohio, That from
and after the first day Of October, in the
year Of our Lord one thousand eight hun
dred and fifty -four, it shall be unlawful for
any person or persons, firm, or body cor
porate. to pass, transfer, or circulate, eth
er directly, or indirectly, or offer to pass,
transfer, or circulate, or cause to be pass
ed, transferred, or circulated, or to receive
or cause to be received, any bank bill or
note, Of a less denomina alton than ten dol.
lars, unless said bank bill or note, shall
have been issued By and made pay able at
one Of the banks of this State, in accord
ance with the laws OF this State; Provided,
ho,reper, that the mere transfer or receiving g
Of such unlawful paper bona .,fde for the
purpose of sending the same directly ou,
Of this State for redemption, shall not be
deemed violation OF the provisions OF this
act.
SEC. 2. That all bank bills Of less de-
nomina alton than ten dollars, unless issued
by and made payable al one Of the banks
Of this State in accordance with the laws
Of this State. shall OF directly or indirectly
be paid out or received in payment Of any
tax, debt. Judgment, decree, fine or
amercement or other demand whatever,
and all such unlawful paper shall be held
in this State to be worthless. and all con.
tracts in relation thereto null and void;
and any disbursements. or payments. or
exchange for other property OF value, made
or attempted TO be made herewith, OF no
effect whatever.
Sec. s.. That any bank or bankers, bro
ker or brokers. or body corporate, or pub.
lie officer or officers. knowingly violating
the provisions of this act, shall forfeit and
pay for every such violation the sum Of one
hundred dollars, and any olher person
or persons, the sum Of ten dollars,
to be recovered in civil action in the
name Of the State Of Ohio, upon complaint
in writing, on oath. in the same manner
that debts of 2 like amount are by law
recoverable, and under the same limita.
lions and provisions. one halt Of which
shall go to the person complaining, and
the other half to the treasurer Of the town.
ship in which the offence was committed
and for the use Of common schools in said
township; and the person SO complaining
shall not, after the fling of such complaint
be liable to forfeiture in the same case
although party to the same offence.
Section four gives the form OF complaint
which is not necessary to publish, as it is
varied to suit each particular case.
SEC. 5. That the members Of every firm
and the stockholders OF every incorpora.
ted company, and every bank or banker
broker, public officer, or other person
shall in addition to the forfeiture specified
in the third section Of this act, be individ.
ually liable for the redemption in gold OF
silver coin, Of all such unlawful paper pu
in circulation. paid out>or transferred by
them or such firm, incorporated company
or bank of which they are members OF
stockholders; and every bank or inoorpo'
rated company who shall knowingly vio
late any OF the provisions OF this act, shall
thereby forfeit its charter and corporate
privileges; and all notes and other securi
ties or obligations. discounted in whole Of
| in part by any bank. banker. or mixers
broker or brokers, with. or by paying ou
the unlawful paper. the circulation of which
lis by this act prohibited. shall be maintain
ed to enforce the collection thereof.
Sec. 6. That all laws and parts oi law
inconsistent with the provisions OF this act
be and the same are hereby repealed.
| s F. G.. LEBLOND,
Speaker Of the House Of Representatives
| ROBERT LEE,
/ President Of the Senate, pro tenn
| May lst, 1854.