The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1877-03-29
How Government Money and Bonds are OFF,
clally Destroyed.

How Government Money and Bonds are OFF,
clally Destroyed.
The process by which all kinds of
paper money, Government securities
and stamps are destroyed is an inter-
esting feature to those who have had
an opportunity Of witnessing the mo-
dus operandi, particularly SO to the la
dies. as many look on in establishment,
longing, or rather wishing, that the
toothful morsels in the shape of $500
or ST. 900 notes about to be consigned
to the huge macerator might be in
their hands to ssplace them where they
would do the most good Through
the courtesy of a member Of the De-
struction Committee, to whom our par
ty were indebted for the explanations,
it was shown that they were compare
lively valueless, from the fact that the
signatures were cut off at either cor
ner.
The cylinders have a capacity to hold
$500 pounds, but are seldom filled
with more than 1000 pounds. They
are filled with Government securities
and other paper values, viz: United
States fractional currency bonds, In
ternal revenue certificates stamps,
checks and unfinished and imperfect
money. These distinctions are so ar
ranged as to take place on alternate
days, opening one day and filling the
next, so that the daily average OF
money destroyed amounts to between
ST, 100000 and 1900, 900.
The old process of destroying was
by burning, but in that way the Gov
eminent obtained no returns, while by
the present mode Of macerating the
Government is enabled to sell the pulp
for So so per ton, it being fit for con-
version into new paper.
A short time ago an interesting
maceration took place of collection
of counterfeit money from the Secret
Service Bureau, the accumulation of
about five years. Some of these coun-
terfeit notes were very good imita-
tons, many being retained by the De-
partment as specimens. Ut these
. counterfeit notes, there were enough
to represent ST. 100000
In reservation Of ground situated
|, south of and near the United States
Treasury is an open space of ground
known as the s.White Lot, on which
is erected brick structure wherein is
contained two large cylinders, about
twelve feet long by four feet in diam
eter, having an ohlong aperture in the
centre of about ten inches, with bed
I. to which a screw is attached, and an
9 iron bar running across secured by
1 three locks, each lock having a differ.
4 ent key. The three keys are entrusted
! to and held by the Committee who
9 represent the three officers Of the
!; Treasury-the Secretary, the Treasur.
S er and the Register; all these gentle.
/, men must be present before the mac
/ orator can be opened. The cylinder
e contains number of short knives
:. iutting out from the interior walls
e for the porpose of decorating paper
o money contained therein water anC
y some chemicals are introduced to soft
# en- and aid in effectually destroying tht
t. paper and absorbing the ink. The ma
e chine, which is worked by steam
a. power, is then set in motion, and re
r. wolves rapidly for forty-eight hours
l. Next day the committee OF three arr
Is on hand at the appointed hour, eacl
le with his key, and opening the apera
is ture, the contents fall into reservoir
a. of water through a sieve, and to all aI
st pearance are like the ashes OF BarOl
b. Won Palm shown after cremation.
le The National Bank note sent to tn
a. Treasury for redemption and destrut
er ton or for new issues,are destroyed !,
u the Treasury building, where there
Sc erected a maceratOr on a smaller scale
similar in construction, but dlffereI
in it's shape, to that in the sswhit
es Lot The notes, after assortment b
q the Redemption Agent are delivere
a to the Comptroller Of the Currenc.
IL and are first numbered in numeric;
ng order upon register, upon which tn
Id counters are required to receipt II
en- each package delivered to them *
ne count. No one but the counter WI
us receipts for it is ever permitted
'id break the seals of package. III
no counters are required to return ar
ne obtain receipt for the contents {
IL each strap before opening the mex
re- The notes are assorted by denOmln
hg ton by the counters, and made up,
IN, far as practicable, into full packag
ne of 100 notes Of the same denominatlo
at The notes fit for circulation are IL
~, tanned, and, in case of doubt, the u
re- cision is always in favor Of the fitne
ry. Of the note for circulation. The not
n. unfit for circulation are cancelled
the presence of the counter before /
ing returned.
The counting and asserting is O
ia, by number Of expert ladies. and wi
ice rapidity that would put TO the blu
ay some OF the smartest bank teller
lar Certificates are issued TO the sever
VS., banks for all money forwarded
On, them for redemption or destructiC
in which has been witnessed by the Co
- mlttee and Bank Agent
zen -