Rapides gazette. (Alexandria, La.) 1869-187?, 1873-11-01
The Mont de Piete.v

The Paris correspondent OF the Balti-
more american writes the following inter-
esting account of the famous Mont de
Piete, ormunicipal pawnbroker establish
ment of that city: - F~e' -,
This is one of the most important and
extensive establishments connected with
the city government of Paris. 1t is a mu-
nicipal pawnbroker establishment for the
relief and protection of the poor, and, in
deed, of all classes who may by either
poverty or misfortune be compelled to
borrow money ON their personal effects.
That the extent of this establishment may
be understood, it is only necessary to state
that 1t has two principal Office mn opposite
sections of the city, twenty auxiliary OFF,
ces in different wards or ACCOMPLISHMENTS,
and has three hundred officers connected
with.it. The average number of articles
pledged are three thousand, but no pledges
are received from any one unless they are
known to be householders, or produce u
passportor papers as regfe, showing who
they are, and thatfhe property they offer
Is their own. The privilege of loaning
money on depositsjs. enjoyed exclusively
by this establishment, hence thieves have
but little opportunity of dsposing of their
plander. Out of two millions of articles
pledged per annum, the average number
delivered to the police on suspicion of
theft Is 39l, representing loans 10 the
amount of 5000 francs. Thus this estab-
lishment, instead OF encouraging theft,
leads to dctection, punishment, and the
restoration of stolen goods.
The Mont de Pieteis under the authOri-
| ty of the Minister of the Interior and the
Project of the Seine, and is managed
| .fx.1 hxrf ha
has council, or board of managers, con-
sisting of three members of the city coun-
ell, three citizens of Paris and three mem
bers ,of the council of public assistance.
| The humber of officers employed in its
management is over three hundred and
they are kept busy for twelve or fourteen
hours perday. Everything that is brought
to be pledged is carefully appraised, and
the amount loanedi is four-fifths of the value
| of gold and silver articles, and two-thirtls
of the value of other effects, provided no
| loan at the two central offices exceed TO-
600 francs, and ut the branch establish
ments 500 francs From this it will be
seen tits not used entirely by the OK
tremely poor, but all classes at times avail
| themselves of its advantages to enable
them to ride over temporary difficulties.
The establishment is conducted with
money borrowed on its own credit, for
which it generally pays per cent, and it
requires capital of about SO 00, 600 francs,
for the use of which it pays about 4 per
cent. The interest to the public upon
pledges used to be about IL per cent, but
it is now reduced to 9per cent, or one-half
per cent. forfifteen days, being the shortest
term for which it can be lent after the
lapse of the first month, the interest of
H.,
last but a few days. The pledges of the
to the central establishments or the two
store-houses, and it would be difficult to
find In the whole of Paris scene of more
stirring business activity. The system
with which the whole business is managed
is wonderful, there being one department
where borrowers are enabled TO refund by
installments the sums advanced-even one
franc is received.
Whilst the work of redeeming pledges
is constantly in progress in one part of
the establishment, another is crowded
with men, women and children with bun
dies to offer for small advances. which con-
tinues from nine O'Clock i'm the morning
until four O'Clock in the afternoon. In
another section auction is daily held for
the sale of forfeited pledges, which have
not been redeemed within the time spesi-
fled. After year, or rather fourteen
months, the effects, if the duplicate be not
renewed by paying the interest due upon
them, are thus sold, and the auction room
Is scene for painter. Here all the old
clothes establishments in the city are rep
resented, and at times the bidding is very
lively, nothing being sold and no bids re-
ceiyed for a less sum than the amount adj
vanced. If the article brings more than
the amount advanced, and the charges
upon it, the surplus is paid tOthe b0r-
rover on application within three years |
from the date of the duplicate, after
which the surplus is given to the Poor
Commissioners. The appraisers are held |
jointly, responsible for the value set upon |
the articles. Alter paying all the expenses |
of its management there was a balance last |
year Of 100000 francs in favor of the Mont |
de Piete. What grand opportunity this |
establishment would be for the operation |
Of the Baltimore "rings?' John Jones |
would be allowed to pawn his plate ware |
for silver and gold, and Peter Smith his |
imitation diamonds for the genuine article. |