The Portland daily press., 1862-12-01
The Curse of shinplasters---the Cure.

to believe the evil is not so rife here as In some
other places. While visiting a city on the
Kennebec few days since, we heard deep and
loud complaints of the custom referred to,
and had an opportunity to hear and see
something of its beauties. One firm had
started the ball-a firm that should have had
more regard for the public good-and their
example was soon followed by perfect del
uge from known and unknown persons, some
of whom, we venture to say, were not known
as business men the length of the street on
which they operate. In one case man had
issued his checks,-a small trader,-whose
stock is not held in his own name, and who
probably never was worth hundred dollars
in his life. We heard of one man whose 'cur-
rency" was afoat, who, to our certain knowl-
edge. has allowed himself to be dunned by the
year for paltry sum of not exceeding five
dollars!
One of the most decidedly rich cases was
the shinplasters of a person-of ample means
no doubt-who has been known to refuse to
settle small bill of fifteen shillings because
1t was not presented before, Notwithstanding
it was not outlawed The assurance and brass
that will influence such man to offer in ex-
change for bank bills, his private checks, are
of extraordinary development.
There were other examples, but these will
serve as specimens. We are glad to learn that
the reputable business men in that city de-
nounce the whole thing as little better than
swindle, and the leading wholesale dealers and
some other merchants, have posted notices
conspcuously in their counting rooms-"No
shinplasters taken here"
1t is said one firm has already out, in the
form of small promises, about 81 900. Here is
30 much cash capital loaned by A, and c, of
the common people, for which no interest is
paid, no seUrity is given. They sell pound
of coffee, two pounds of soap, or a gallon of
moasses to the poor day laborer, who gives
them his last dollar bill, and they give him
back, as an equivalent for the balance, two or
three of their quarter dollar promises, which
they agree to redeem in current bills when re-
turned in sums Of one dollar or more! How
Is the poor man to get enough more OF them to
make dollar, or why shonld he be subjected
to that inconvenience? He takes his half
dollar in shinplasters, for which he has given
good money, and goes to the butcher to pur-
chase pound of steak, or few pounds of
liver, or to the fish market to get rock cod,
and then finds that he has got a kind of mon
ey that will not supply his wants! Heis COM
PEELED to run from shop to shop until he finds
somebody as verdant as himself, before he can
exchange his currency for 'bone and muscle"
Many things wanted daily in his family cannot
be obtained, perhaps, except OF those who ut
terly and wisely refuse to "extend the curse"
Let the poor man go to one of these self-con-
stituted, irresponsible bankers, and call for a
quarter of pound of tea, peck of potatoes,
or a salt fish, and offer his check, and see if he
Is not given the cold shoulder, or shown the
door without the privilege OF taking his pur-
chase with him. No matter if he is perishing
with hunger, and il his family are perish
ing with him; for, though they may bestow
In charity, should he offer his currency" they
would reply as did Peter to Simon Magus-
"thy money perish with thee;;" yet they, unin-
tentionally, perhaps, insult his poverty by
making "forced loan" of one half his pos
sessions, in taking his current money, and CIV
ing back in exchange half merchandise at a
profit, and the balance in "slow note," the
profits of which are decidedly against him.
Are we told that shinplasters are conven-
lent under the evils of scarcity of silver
change and fractional government currency
now so imperfectly distributed? We answer,
that the issue of such shinplasters serves to in
crease the very evil which, ostensibly, they are
designed to remove. The man who has put
out his own currency will not be likely to let
90 piece of silver, or a government stamp,
unless his own checks are refused. Every cent
of such currency that goes into his hands is
abstracted from the local circulation, for he
will naturally reserve it TO pay into the banks
or to use in localities where his private prom
ises will not pass. The silver will, not unlike
ly, pass directly from him for premium, TO
find its way out of the country, whittier the
metallic current is now setting. Business
men should not be countenanced in customs
that relieve them from their proper share of
such burdens and annoyances as those result
ing from the scarcity of silver change, and
then they will be equally interested with 9TH
ers to have the cause of the evil removed.
But the cure,-nothing is more simple.
Let business men put their faces against the
evil. Let the people understand that it is re-
garded suspiciously. Let every one who has
none of his own shinplasters in circulation, re-
fuse to receive those of others. Touch no
money that an honest broker or a well con-
Quoted bank would refuse, and the evil will
disappear as suddenly as did Jonah's gourd.
We do not mean to say-we do not believe
that the men who have thoughtlessly put
afoat such currency as we have referred to,
are dishonest, and design to practice swindle.
Admit that all OF them honestly intend to re-
deem every promise they have made, still
there is danger. Think Of the facilities for
counterfeiting We are told that the checks
of the Parker House, Boston, are counterfeit
ed to a large extent. The better the individ-
ual or firm making them the more danger ol
counterfeits.
There are few of those private checks that
are not open to the many objections which lie
against the majority of them. For example,
the engraved checks of the well-established
Express Companies, which are made receiv a
BILE and redeemsble by all their agents, at all
heir offices, SO that their redemption is moi
confined to single locality, but is as genera
as their widely extended business. To sucl