Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-03
SURPRISING TRAIN-ROBBERIEs.
Use "Ship Money" for Settling Pur-
poses.

To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
VIII YOU allow me 10 add few sugges-
tlons through your valuable paper as to
the best method of suppressing the rob-
blng of trains? II Is evident as Lieu
tenant Knight SAYS In his valuable paper
on this subject. that these knights OF the
road are In for booty, and are not on
pleasure bent. Now, II some way can be-
devised by which for all their risks and
pains they will take nought. / think
theirs, Ike Othellos occupation, will be
gone. Now, to that end | would suggest
this: Require by law each bank 10 lncor-
porate in its charter the express privilege
Of using ship money. which money shall
be used by these banks for the payment
Of all its dues To other banks, and none
other. This privilege shall be SO expressed
on the face OF all its ship-money notes.
and II any other person Is caught In pos
session Of any Of this money, II shall
be prima facle evidence OF his guilt. and
he may be prosecuted In any court Of the
United States. Moreover. every bank
shall be required TO have at least say as
a first trial OF this plan. per cent. OF its
circulation In thf class OF money Such
ship money shall be in denominations
different from that now In use, In order
to Identify IL, and call the attention OF
unwary persons to II. Instead Of 81 notes
It shall be 9-cent notes: instead or 81
bills IL shall be 81 bills: 50 notes instead Of
SO: s9 instead OF Sd $40 notes instead OF
SO $50 instead OF 500. ana 1893 notes in
stead OF 5000. and 80 on.
1t is obvious that after a robber has
held up a train and has possessed him
self of this money, II will be perfectly
useless to him. He dare not attempt TO
use lt-it will lead 10 his detection and
arrest at once. and SO with the profits
knocked out OF his achievements he will
soon cease his exploits In that line.
PAY BALANCES
II has been asked me what use will this
money be TO a bank receiving 1t, II II
can't circulate IL in its ordinary channels
of trade? Well. IL will be legal-tender to
pay of all its balances due to other banks.
and Il Is evident from the number OF
robberies committed there will be plenty
OF use for it, But as each bank would
be likely to have on hand some of this
money from other banks (Which 1t can
use in Ike manner as its own, a very
small per cent. Of It's circulation need
only be in this class Of money.
But some one may ask: Why would not
bank checks, drafts. etc, answer as well
as this kind of money? The answer Is
plain. Checks and drafts have eventually
10 be paid In money, while this Is money
lts@lf-e. e., a bank In Richmond cashes a
check on Baltimore bank; then the
money must be sent from Baltimore TO
Richmond. Now. If II is sent In ship
money there is no risk; II 1t be in ordl-
nary money there Is danger
As an example OF it's use: A wishes TO
move from Richmond to California. All
his wealth is in mOney-say $4,000. He
can go to a bank IN Richmond, deposit
his money. and take check on the San
Francisco bank. and on the same train
that he goes out on, perhaps. will be
sent In ship money to that bank this
$40. o.Oc0 and when he arrives he will pre-
sent his check. and receive his $1,000 In
common money without any risk to him
self or the bank.
think this, or something Ike II, would
nut an end to train-robbing. c. T. r.
Young's Post-Office. Spotsyivania coun'
ty Va.