Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-04-02
COUNTERFEITING.

"A caution from u. 5. Marshal MCLaren to
Test the Ring of Half-Dollars-Many
Gangs Of Counterfeiters at Work in this
State-The Ballard Business.
Omitting the usual inquiry for news, the
GLOBE man substituted:
What do you know about counterfeiting
and counterfeiters, Gen. McLmren?"
'Oh, you refer to that Ballard business in
the GLOBE this morning. said the United
States Marshal of the District of Minnesota.
''Jes so,' was the laconlc assent.
Ihereupon rambling conversation followed,
during which the United States marshal inn
per representative absorbed. Gen. McLaren
asserted that there was great deal of counter
feiting going on in this State and Iowa. In
this State especially in the southern part.
The new bogus coins can scarce
ly be detected when first made;
sued are well washed with silver, after little
use the electro-plating wears of, and then they
are easily seen to be counterfeits. But by
this time they have done their full measure of
mischief. All through the southern
portion of the State, he has
reason to believe that there are a
great many gangs engaged in the manufacture
country will be flooded with this spurious coin.
These folks have become such adopts in the art,
that with their chemicals, metal, ETC., they can
make at the rate of $50 per night and remove
all traces Of their work at moments notice.
Their skill being SO great, the only way to fix
the crime upon them is to catch them in the
| act. And
And, what general?'
''Hows that to be done?" was the marshars
interrogative parry.
The reporter intimated that he wasn't in the
United States secret service, and if he were, he
wouldn't divulge.
The general continued after this, by remark
ing that the services of pal of such criminals
| would have to be employed by the government
to betray their comrades. 'Or how else would
these counterfeiters be caught in the act. y
And the government does engage the ser
vices of such cappers2'
"Undoubtedly. The secret service bureau
does. The United States marshal's Office is not
| empowered to employ anyone for this OF any
other service, except such as is specified. This
| counterfeiting business is consigned to the
secret bureau entirely. The United States
marshal's offices have nothing to do with it,
unless to capture the game, when called upon
by secret service bureau agent. We have nc
money in our hands for such employees"
AS to this man Ballard-?"
well, what?" interjected the general in an
interrogatory way, again.
Was he here in your oMce2"
"He was.'
'For what purpose?"
HE wanted to be employed. He was ready
to give away some gangs of counterfeiters, OF
said he could unearth them, as he knew Their
ways, and could ingratiate himself with them
to the benefit of the government
WAS he employed" 49,
He was not, I haven't the power to employ
any one for such service. He is like others Of
his kind, ready to give away betray some
| gang with whom he is at enmity. He is like
the rest of his tribe, they are all ready to betray
one another if made profitable to them"
Why didn't you arrest Ballard?"
Arrest him3" Again the general got in hi.
work as questioner.
Yes, dent you know he is wanted by the
governments, has been long wanted and is ,
bad MANI"
Il know never have been called upon o.
directed to arrest him. No warrant has beer
placed in my hands to arrest him. Without it
l have no more right to arrest the Billiards. thar
you.'
The GLOBE having no more questions to put
and the general having seemingly exhausted
the subject, it became a matter of mutual quit
And the GLoBE man went across the hall-wa.
to gather in other feeting items.