The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1897-07-29
Examining Baggage by the X-Ray.
Special Washington Letter

Examining Baggage by the X-Ray
The other States, although the Repub-
lican candidate for President was one
OF the most popular citizens, who had
on previous occasions when a candi-
date for office. run ahead Of his ticket
What is called financial heresy in the
East first made a determined fight in
Ohio. That was made twenty-five
years ago. The Democratic organiza-
eton OF Ohio was captured at that time
by the Greenbackers.
The campaign attracted worldwide
attention. There Is a survival Of the
0rsenback element In this State. 1t
undergoes revival with I'll esilver Is
sue to the fore. With the tariff as the
ssne last year Mckiniey's victory in the
State would have been easily secured
and his majority phenomenal. After the
parties had declared for and against
nee silver. the Bryan men had hopes
of carrying the State. Some Republi-
cans became aware that these hopes
had substantial foundation. The claim
that the free silver sentiment has In
creased since November win be put to
the test in the Ohio election this year.
HE politicians here believe that II the
election returns shall verify this claim
the Democratic party will be for free
silver in 1900 and that the campaign
that year will be fought on the issues
of 1896.
The recent report OF the Consul
General at Manchester, England, con-
tains some tabular comparisons OF the
exports from che district to the Unit
ed Staes which are very impressive.
II appears that the declared value Of
the exports for the first quarter OF the
calendar year, 1897. amounted to ST.
AS, ,124 as compared with s3,750, 1856 for
The first quarter OF the calendar year OF
1856. being q decreased of $1.324, 1854.
But the declared value of the exports
for the quarter ended June 80, 1897,
amounted to S4,67l.43S as compared
with $2.7l0,l27 for the corresponding
period of 1896, being an increase OF
1851 ,30l. The chief item of exports
from Manchester to the United States
consists Of cotton velvets, fuchans, etc.
In January, 1897, the quantity OF the
exports amounted to 43S,346 yards In
February, 10 1,lSf,3S0 yards In March.
70 2,2s4.736 yards In April. to 6.226, ,s27
yards in May. to 3,425.ls yards in
June.
The Treasury officials have deter
mined to put a stop to smuggling. Un-
der the new tariff law, tourists return
ing from foreign lands will not be per-
mf&ed, as in the past, to bring wear
ing apparel free Of duty. II is probable
that there VIII be unusual efforts made
to evade the payment of the duties I'm
posed. The French government has
adopted the X-Ray and our officials are
about to make trial Of X. No inge-
nuity In hiding things Is Of any avail
against the wonderful rays. The
smuegier's belongings are taken into
adark room, the light is turned on and
everything suspicious is seen al a
glance. The efforts OF smugglers are
largely directed to carrying jewelry
without paying the legal duties Any
enins made OF metal is detected with
the greatest facility by the X-rays.
The smuggler carries satchel alleg-
ed to contain tew handkerchiefs, ci-
sars, cake OF soap and other inno-
cent and useful things. The rays are
turned on, and instantly the presence
or few thousand dollars worth of
leWelry is reVeaieu.
A visitor to the Treasury Department
al the present time gets a pretty good
idea OF what II means to be at the head
Of the United State Treasury. The
vaults OF that institution are closed to
visitors, because the operation OF trans
ferrtng the funds from ex-Treasurer
Morgan to Treasurer Roberts is now
going on. score Of men are engaged
for seven hours each day In weighing
and moving sacks OF gold and silver.
and others are counting and verifying
tne ponds which are deposited, to Sc
cure the circulation Of national banks
and to secure the United States against
loss from failure of banks in which
deposits are made. These operations
PIE nxcae|'0~ 'ous anS move 80
the treasury people care to be employ
ed In them. The vaults in which the
coin is stored are beneath the surface
sf the ground are iil-ventilated. and in
this hot weather are verit4ble sweat
boxes. The counting Will OCCUPY fully
three months and a mistake in She
mislaying OF bag OF silver dollars
would necessitate g repetition of the
operation from beginning TO end.
There are experts who handle this vast
mass OF coin, and mistakes seldom
occur, and it is a satisfactory comment
ON the integrity of the people EN-.
ployed in the treasureFs office, that
In the many transfers which have
been made In the last twenty years.