The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-12-22
Raseality Run Riot.

There is fictitious firm signing itself Moves d Co.,
o5 Wall street, New York, which has been sending
photographic, though professedly confidential letters all
over the country, offering to sell counterfeit green
backs so skfully executed defy detection. The
letter is most artfuy worded appealing to the sense
OF honor of the recipient in preserving the secret in
violate They propose to send say $4,000 for $50 by
express, one-third to be paid delivery and the bal
anee as soon afterwards possible. There is an I'M
intentional piece of irony in its abuse of those dis
honest firms who furnish an Indifferent counterfeit.
1t might be supposed that the counereits actually
sent. Nota bit of it. From an expose made by q
Northern paper we learn that the plan is this: You,
it you are fool enough, order package, say Of $4,000,
to be sent by express third of the cost to be paid
on delivery, the firm magnanimousy giving you time
on the balance. The package is received and the
money paid. You rush off to secretly open your treas
ure trove, when alas for your dreams of wealth. the
package is only paper. Thus Noyes Co. fleece their
victims without placing themselves within the reach
OF the law, for in similar case of fraud which was
brought before the courts the commissioner decided
that the Government had received no wrong. The
only recourse, then, is in prosecution for obtaining
money under false pretences, and it is needless say
that the victim would never expose his attempt at
fraud by making the matter public. This may be
properly regarded piece of sharp practice between
rogues and the general feeling one Of tbankfulness
that Noyes & Go. discard the code which teaches
"honor among thieves, and so do not food the
try with counterfeit greenbacks
As is very justly remarked by contemporary this is
however, but partial view. of the case. Thousands
of people are honest enough and yet not proof against
strong tempaton and to this class belong those
likely to be seduced by PLAUSIBLE invitations to make
large profits, with little risk If crime is not
tualy committed, the intent is there, and the wall
between right and wrong is broken down, and those
people who might otherwise pass comparatively blame
less lives, if such seeming opportunities safely to be-
come dishonest not presented are beguiled into
crossing the line of demarkation between roguery and
honesty. .r.. .s......
There are numberless similar tricks to make money
pracced by Northern friends and it seems strange
that there is no legal method Of Furnishing those who
thus lay snares for the unwary; rob them of their
money, and blunt their consciences by leading them
to contemplate crime complacently. "Gft Enter
prlses are the most popular mode of thieving Peo-
pie are surprised at receiving circular letters from
some irn-say, in New York-and cannot conceive
how their names become known to the parties sending
hem. 1t no doubt frequently happens that the re-
'ipent has at some time correspondent with similar
'windng concern at Troy, or other point. They
are either all the same firm these brother rogues
exchange lists OF correspondents. So, the fact of
person receiving one of these circulars is pretty good
evidence tina: his or her name is on the FOOLS list
iept by these sharpers. Who could estimate the
quantity of stamps that sentimental young ladies and
young gentlemen have been dddled
ut Of upon the prospect of receiving the photograph
LIKENESS Of her or bis future husband or wife!
We have probably devoted more space to this sub.
act than it deserves, but the law seems power less
remedy the evil it is Incumbent upon the press to at
east endeavor to modify it, z,