New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-01-20
FORGERY AND IT'S PREVENTION.

NEw-YoRK, Jan. 10, 1859.
r, TIE Editor Of TIE n. T. Tribune.
SIR: So long as the esent "American system" u
mar nj aciuring bank notes known only to the fey
persons Immediately employed IN their production, asd
TO all outside the profession OF bank note engraving
Wac mys.ery The mode of combining AMI engrav-
ing dies and other devices ~ nov used formed com
paratye seourty against forgery and the most SEN
evil paperlnoney was subject TO vas It's hs-
billy to alteration But, elias no professional secret
cen long withstand the Dquislton Of the curious or
resist the zeal and ingenuity OF Toguery Any rascal
can find out without much ho1be, the way OF sticking
the public in their most sensitive plsce and as tbs
calculating sdun If Of the mOs tempting, 1t 10
most worked. IL bss become matter vi the greatest
momept. that the community should know where and
how they subject To the attacks OF knavery, In
the matter Of their paper-mouey, and how y to be
guarded against. Ahnost every issue Of THE TRIBUSk
announces the appearance Of new forgery, or stera
ton in some perfect "a to require the aid 81
powerful microscope to determine tho dferssce be-
tween the mock and the real note. Everybody seems
" at fault" and all agree that something mnst be doso
TO check the evil yet in case hss there been any
tb ng proposed that will partially gusrd the poo
pie from the frauds that are daily rsctcsd against
them.
The Superintendent Of the Bank Department" IN
his sst report considers that the engraving of tho
notes fr this State by consolidated company Of co.
gravers adds 10 the public security where or how he
does not say. And the only alteration 10 the aw rela
tive 10 bank notes which he recommends, Is that al
counterfeit plates or dies which come into the hands
advises the destruction Of the weapon when II hss
done its mischief. Would il not be better 70 devise
some mode Of nippng the forgery evil in the bud add
shut the stable door the steed be stolen Unfor-
tUnstely the Bank Superintendent receives his inor-
nation from persons whose Interest it is 10 keep up
the present bark-note system, and who resp large
for repeating again and again dies and parts
opates engraved years ago, which have done service
in every State Of the Union on the faces OF AL ons
wild eat or legitimate for the past % years
To enable the public 10 Judge more ceariytbeir own
insecurity in the matter, It will be necessary 70 give,
10 few words az possible description Of the manu-
facture Of the paper money, where add how II IA hs-
bic 10 be counterfei.ed and the way 10 avoid the evil
After the method Of combining separate PIECES Of
steel engraving with machine ruling lathe-work, sad
cycloiisl machinery invented ny Mr.. Perkins, the
beauty and excellence OF the yignettes beads and
other purely artistic portions Vi the work, has been
regarded the beat safeguard against the professional
forger. who s usually unskful as be 10 dishonest
The principal stock Of banknots engraving concern,
corssts OF these dies, and tley give the dincuve
character 10 the bills ard what the mass usuayre-
coguize them by the grestest spent IN ther pro-
ducton and accumulation. When tho moiss Oh oank
tote is made, which is usually done by cutting up
pieces Of notes already In use, and arranging tnem
kaieeoscopic fashion by means Of paste, on bristol
hoard, a designer is employed TO make drawing o.
the principal vgnete, which passes INTO the na r
Of the picture, or "s,eu e nSois Of w.,
United States twenty-five recognized Professors,
and them rests the great bnlk Of the bank note
suurly for the entire Union. Tie Consolidated Com
nay of Bank Note Engrsyers employ at present
about nre Of the entire number; the rest obtain the
prec.rious living usually enjoyed by artists by ias-
trsGpg books, occasional jobs Il commercial char
soter SC. The letter engrsvers whose employmsnt
il more mechanical and less important With The rans-
ferers, complete the engraving staff Of bank not"
engraving Office. When the picture and letter en-.
gTsyers have completed their respective portions
TIE work, the pieces Of steel ubicb the vork ex
cuted are esrbonized, and BY means Of pres 0sas-
fsTTcd to cot steel roller, which 10 in its turn nsf
dened and thus is made ready 70 prodnos any nunoeS
Of steel copies identical with the ongissi oogfsns
When bank orders q set Of plates and o model v
DECIDED upon should the stock Of dies and rods snp-
ply ready engraved material enough, u \ msesyf9 u