The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1873-04-24
Interesting Facts about Counterfeit
Money.

"Gath," the Chicago Tribunc's versa
tile correspondent, has been amusing
himself lately by interviewing an en-,
graver on the subject of counterfeit
money Said this gentleman:
II am one of the Oldest engruvers 10
the country. There is an investigation
enc day to be made into the currency of
the country which will startle you and
your newspapers, and all their readers
There ia $40 bill. Take it-look at it
Do you see anything notable about it 2"
looked the bill all over and then the
man all over, and saw nothing to excite a
remark in either "There is nothing
particular about that BILL" he said, ex
cept that it is counterfeit. There are
eighteen distinct counterfeits on the $40
bill, and, as an engraver, | know that
they represent eighteen different counter
ieting gangs. People generally know
nothing whatever about the publication
of United States bonds, and about the
quantity of counterfeit scrip ahoat. If
you, as newspaper man, were to 60 to
Gen Spinner, aud to the heads Of the
Treasury aud ask how much counterfeit
currency was in circulation, they would
probably tell you 10 per ceut. but tell
you as an engraver, that they have
admitted to me that there is % per cent,
or one quarter of the whole amount of
the stamps current in this country, which
are fraudulent
"Do you know, sir, that the postal cur
reDcy is renewed six times every year
That is the case. and see the possibilities
for its increased duplication aud counter
feitiug. We could better afford to pay
30 PER cent. premium, and use gold, than
have TO deal as VIC do with a lot of paper
which is beyond the control, to a certain
extent, of the Government officials. The
extravagntly high prices and the csrrup,
tion in our politics and life hinge upon
the currency. The duplication of the
United States bonds will some day be
found such an alarming matter that it
will bring the whole country to its feet
That crime began in the treasury as far
back as Chase's time. John Covode and
others in Congress made strenuous efforts
to oppose it, but they were gagged by the
gavcl and the party majority. An official
who at that time was connected with the
printing had in some way got a grip upon
the Secretary. and could not be budged
from his place by any power in the coun-
try. His accounts were short one year
S63 900, aud he could not tell where the
money had gone They kept after him,
however, ard on one occasion he appear
ed before the examiners with his arms
full of bonds, ana. throwing them down.
said There are your s63 ,0OO" +" Now.
there was press used for pri1'ing at that
time aud it ran repeatedly in the night.
The ofEcal himself was seen to emerge
after dark. on two occasions, with great
tin box in his hand. which he but into
his buggy and carried away. Now how
much duplication of bonds do you sup
pose it required to make S63 900 worth
of coupons, so as to equalize that accouut?"
"Several hundred thousand, supposed y
mo, sir, it took between $4,000, 900
aud $4,000, 600 of bonds; and about
that time happened the first duplication" !"
[ looked suddenly iuto the old gentle
mans eyes, and was in great doubt
whether | was speaking to an Intelligent
luuatic or great reformer.