Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1893-09-14
THE INDIAN RUPEE
The Coin Is Very Much to India Whas
the Dollar Is to Us.

the Dollar Is to Us.
Since the suspension by the Indian
Government of the free coinage OF the
rupee considerable attention has been
called to this often-heard-of but little
known coin of the Orient. The rupee
In India is very much what the silver
dollar is to us In America, says q writer
in Harper's Weekly. 1t has this differ
ence, that while In India the rupee Is O
current coin in active circulation, the
bright silver dollar with US finds Its
representative in the dirty dollar bill.
It is true that the Government OF In
dia issues from its treasury notes OF
values ranging from five rupees up
ward, but these have in no way super
scded the popularity ct the rupee.
Every servant Of government, from the
young assistant magistrate to "the gen
eral commanding" gets his pay in real
white metal.
But what is tho value OF a rupeef
"Ah, there's the rub" 1t depends en-.
tirely whether you are Governor Cen
eral, or the private soldier, CIR merely
an officer Of the army, the magistrate
of q district OF some OF .er ordinary
person. To his excellency the Viceroy
and Governor General If India the ru-
pee is worth exactly two shil ing OF
English money, or 50 cents Of Ameri.
can. For by statute these txtreocdi.
nary persons get their rupee at par
value in England. But to ordinary be-
ings the case i far otherwise. For the
past twenty years or mor the depre-
citation Of the rupee has been simply
alarming. AT one time its Talue was
beyond par, but gradually its worth de-
seconded with rapid strides, and some
time g Tie value of the rupee was
fixed ut one shilling and four-pence.
The great manipulation OF the rupee
In India is the mahajan, or native
banker. This man of money does no.
trade in stocks Or gamble according to
the fashion of these civilized days, but
he deals in interest-such interest AZ
would have rejoiced the heart of Shy
lock. AS he takes nc security, he con-
siders 25 per cent. a very just demand.
The leading city bank Ct q native town
usually consists of q table placed at
the corner of the street, upon which
tho banker and his assistant are seated
cross-legged ION Change" with piles Of
silver, t~ransacting the money dealings
Of the people. At sunset the piles of
coin are cleared away and placed in a
deep recess within the bankers little
cell, over which he or his assistant
sleeps the liveiong night. Sometimes
he is killed and the money stolen, but
this seldom happens.
Wasn't Looking for Trouble.
The row did not attract general e.
tentiOn in the restaurant until tho big
mar with the red face threw OF his
coat, slammed his hat on the table and
shouted:
IF you're looking for trouble, you
bet We can get it right here, an
reckon / a hand it to We about as fast
o. We a take it away"
But Pm not looking for trouble, "
protested the small man, rather feebly.
Il don't want any trouble. ! Iover-"
We'll, then, ye dent want to lie
maxim 20 breaks at me" persisted the
big man walking around the table and
shaking his fist at the other, fer I'll
give ye trouble an lots of it."
But l don't want any, T.
You don't! I've got a good notion ia
give it to ye for luck
my dear sir" insisted the little
man, mildly, Il certainly never meant
to give any offense. In fact, I am al
ways very careful not to become IN.
gagged In any controversy. =
1t was evident that he was becoming
somewhat excited himself now. Il
make 1t q study to avoid getting Into
any SORT Of difficulty, and SO would you
II you were in my place. I've just
served five years in prison for killing a
mar in Wisconsin, and I don't want any
more of it, truly l don't"
And he looked up b~eseechingly at his
woIld-be antagonist, who seemed to ne.
gard him In q new light, and agreed to
accept an apology