The herald., 1894-09-09
OFFICIAL RED TAPE.


WoxSnt SxO COA1rleCc.
Some weeks ago, il performance of
his duty, Public Printer Benedict ex-
pressed quantity of waste gold leaf TO
the Philadelphia mint, with the request
that its value be returned to him in gold
coin He did not advertise the gold leaf
for sale, as he might have done, but
preferred to deal with Uncle Sam di-
rect. In few days he received by
express from the mint for the waste
Eold leaf several bags OF gold coin, the
value of which was 81, 619. 3D.. He ac-
knowledged its receipt and at once sent
it to the treasury department to be
placed to the credit Of the miscellaneous
receipts Of the treasury
The gold coin contained in the bags
received from the mint was taken out
by the treasurer and counted and
weighed, as the law prescribes. Out of
the 81, 619. "a one $50 goldpiece, accord
ing to- the treasury scales, was exactly
S1.25 light Treasurer Morgan wrote
the public printer to that effect and re-
quested that he at once forward 81. 20
to make good the shortage of the $40
goldpiece
The public printer did not propose to
pay the $1.25 out Of his own pocket,
so he wrote to Superintendent Town,
send of the Philadelphia mint, inform
ing him that ono $50 goldpiece was
short 81. 25 and to please forward that
amount. This was done. In his letter
containing the Sl.25 shortage Superin-
tendent Townsend expressed regret that
the public printer had not returned the
original geo goldpiece.
Mr.. Benedict on receiving the 81. %
sent it to the treasury department. and
got receipt for it. This, he thought,
would close the transaction. But it
didn't. The treasury officials, it seems,
were not satisfied. Several days after
ward the public printer received the
$50 goldpieoe stamped across its face
Tight 81. 25," with the request that he
return to the department $1S.75, SO as
to make his account balance. the de-
partment having received $1.25. This
was surprise to the public printer, but
as he was dealing with government Off
cials he thought he could stand the
racket il they could. He sent the light
$40 goldpiece to the Philadelphia mint,
with the request that they forward
Treasurer Morgan a certified draft for
$18.75.
After lapse Of nearly week he re-
ceived communication from Superin-
tendent Townsend stating that he had
weighed the disputed coin, and that he
found a shortage Of but 81 and request
ed the public printer to return to him
the % cents no had paid out in excess.
A demand was made ON the treasury
for 25 cents. 1t was received, and in
turn Public Printer Benedict forwarded
it to the mint.
This ended the transaction, but the
question arises, Who made good the
shortage in the $50 goldpiece? Did the
superintendent of the mint at Philadel-
phia make the shortage good out Of his
own pocket, or was it charged to the
government? And, again, If the officials
of the mint weigh the gold coin, as the
law requires, how is it possible for
light coin to get out, and must not some
thing be wrong with the scales used by
the treasury department? The treasury
officials stamped the coin $1.25 light.
The mint people say it is but 81 light
Had this matter occurred with private
individuals instead Of government Off
oials the private individual would no
doubt have had to pocket the loss. -
WASHINGTON Post