Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-12
HOW PERSONS MAKE PEACE WITH
 TIfEMSELYES FOR CHEATING.

some Stories Of ssC0nsciencs Money" aa
 Told by A Clerk in Division or Public
 Moneys in the Trsnsury Department.
 Tho Funny Case of . Tea-Cent Re
 mitt nce to the Fund.
 Not long ago a remi ttance of S2O was received at the treasury, at Washington, from Cleveland as contribution to the ..conscience fund" The other day had talk with the chef clerk of the division of public moneys in the treasury depart ment about it, says writer ill the Cleve- land Leader. The money so received is not kept in Il separate fund, but is turned into the treasury the same as money that comes in from other sources of revenue. The amounts received each year appear in the annual reports. l: varies good deal One year 1t may be $500 and tho next S3 ,OGO, It is usually made up of small sums, though not unfre- qucntly single remit anccs run up into the hundreds and now and then into the thousands.
 It will be understood that these amounts are sent by persons who have, purposely or otherwise, defrauded the government, and are induced by the smitings of conscience to make reStitu- tion. In forty-nine cases out of fifty the money is sent in such a way as not gG afford the slightest possible clue to the identity of the sender. The fact that Uncle sam has the money seems to be sufficient sedative to the perturbed con- science, without that ''open confession" which is said to be good for the soul" Sometimes brief explanatory notes are sent, stating for what the money is due the government, but a signature of any kind is extremely rare. Some merely say, This money belongs to the United States" or words of similar purport.
 In many eases there is not scratch of pen or pencil, the money being simply enclosed in an envelope, perhaps folded in & sheat of blank paper. All such are and arc so treated. It is. of course. in4- possible to give any receipts for the money. Now and then ono will write, 'Please acknowledge receipt in the news papers," This is the reason why care is usually taken to have the receipt of ''con- science money mentioned in the Associ- ated Press despatches. The senders are likely to be watching for such items, ana whep they see that the money is in the treasury they no doubt feel that they are in better shape for the final reckoning in the hereafter. '
 ''The only cases," said the clerk, (which have anybody's name connected with thom are those similar to one we had year or two ago. A Catholic priest ip Boston wrote that one of his parish ioners, on his deathbed confessed to him that he had wronged the government t out of $50. He could not die in peace without making restitution, but desired that his name be withheld. The priest endorsed the amount with interest for nine years at per cent, $S6 In all. The man evidently didn't want that debt to bother him in the next world and prolong his stay in purgatory. The priest, ot course, signed his own name, and we ac- knowledged by letter the receipt of the money. We have had a number of in. stances of that kind. in which conscience seemed to be quickened by serious Ill., ness or the confessional.
 "The most common reasons given for | remitting, when the senders make any explanation at all, are that the money is due for internal revenue taxes or customs | duties evaded, or for petty frauds to avoid the payment of postage. I remem-
 Der one case f Q wealthy lady who, after spending some time abroad, re. turned to this country, bringing with her a valuable article of wearing apparel. ]
 think it was for her personal use, and not strictly dutiable, but her conscience troubled her about it. She went back | to England, and while there told the | story to cue of our consuls, requesting | him to ascertain what would be the 1 amount of duty on such a garment. HA | did so, and she promptly remitted 1t to | us She sent with 1t a nice little note ex. l planning the matter. It was full of con. | triton, and expressed the hope that Un. | gle Sam would forgive her. But she hadn't the courage to sign her name. "A single enclosure of S4,OOO Is the La mt I In, {,h h,,, l<oo | received from ono person, It was q lit | tie singular that for this largo sum there
 was absolutely nothing to show whence | it came except the postmark on the en-
 velope. Even that may have been mis
 leading, as it is qute possible that the
 repentant sinner sent it away from home
 to be mailed. He was evidently very | careful to conceal his identity, as the | money was in four S1 ,OOO bills. Upon the paper wrapped around tho money was
 written: Please place this to the credit | of eCnscience, and that was all. A draft
 you know, would have furnished n clui
 that might easily have been followed up
 If we had chosen to pursue the matter
 do not remember ever receiving con
 science money in any other form thar
 currency. They are all too smart to sent drafts or money orders.
 '1 remember one remittance as small
 as ten cents, and that was funny case
 too. The money was enclosed in quite ,
 long letter, unsigned, in which the writer | said that when a boy he received letter | from a friend, the three-cent postag, | stamp on which had escaped cancella tion. More in 9 spirit of mischief thar
 anything else, hQ detached the staml and used it on his answer to the letter thus making 1t do double duty, and cheat | ing the government out of three cents He wrote that although 1t seemed like trifiing matter it had always troubled
 him-on the principle. suppose, that i is a sin to steal pin, even though i
 may be greater to steal 'tater.' It hal
 been nearly twenty years since the offenc, was committed, and the writer said h,
 presumed the interest would increas,
 the debt to seven or eight cents. Fl,
 enclosed ten so as to be sure there wouls he anouoh