The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-25

An important decision relating to the
use of trading checks was rendered by
Judge Lochren, of the United States dis
trict court The court holds that trad
Ing checks do not in any way resemble
money of the United States. and that
their manufacture or use is not Illegal.
Inc decision was in the case of the
united States of America against Deme-
trius p. Roussopoulos, proprietor of the
Northwestern Stamp Works, of this city
criminal information was lodged against
Mr. Roussopoulos by the government au-
thorlties. The defendant demurred to the
complaint, and Judge Lochren sustained
the demurrer
In making the crusade against trading
checks. it is claimed by the government
tnat the metal checks are in use through
ooe ehe country TO the number of mil
iiohs' ana nave, in many sections, almost
oriVen out the use of regular money. The
checks are procured by merchants. and
ueait out to those from whom thew mr.
chase supplies, and are in turn redeap.
ed In merchandise. The case against Mr.
i'oossopoulos was in the nature of a
Jest. lie was charged with making. with
intent to sell and give away. business
tohehs OF metal, in likeness and similituda
as TO Design, color and inscription thereon
Oh the silver coin, in one instance end
ca e,ie gold coin in the other, of the United
1855 OIL specified denominations. Fol-
~ wins Is Inc courts decision In full.
Inc defendant demurs generaIlv to +ho
information in this case tho first ~ ne oLe
counts OF which are that the defendont
iSs' uae tlIe and place stated did make and
eacb f tohehs and obligations of metal.
it Tor the sum less than one doIlar
tt i to circulate as money and ~
De received and used in lien nf 10 e "
money OF the United States. Two addi-
tonai counts are that the dafanSant ~
the same time and place did mnisa al
sause 10 pc made and have in his nos
session, with intent to sell and olive 10
simiIitS5ee TOKENS of metal, in likeness and
e ea thereon, Of the silver coin in
one instance and gold coin in the other
o oa me the United States, of specified denomi.
e COM the representation of an impress
SION OF each of the sides of the metal
token described in that count.
eo -. mus appears upon the face of the in
IN IN the hrst count is circular In form a
nttle smaller than the half dollar silver
con con OF the United States; and on one
Clark & Boice Lumber Co. 1893 .Ie Sor
son, IeXas, and on the other side. ..C,ood
Tor 5oc in merchandise It's weight 10
a:ilesed TO be Y grains troy weight which
is less than one-fifth the weight of i the
nalf dollar coin. which is nearest To II
IN size of any coin Of the United States
II der SIN in its device and Inscription
states; and is not liable to be mistaken
i LOT any OF them, even by the careless or
iiilterate persons. 1t does not purport to
ps a piece OF money, or an obligation to
fh.S nhl
IS IN terms ,solvable merchandise It
cannot therefore, have been intended tn.
circulate as money, or to be received and
USED IN lieu of lawful money: and does
1888 U. S. r. S.
United States VS.. Van Auken, SO U. 8.
A.; 1,b ss6; Same ro.o
IN the other counts Of the information.
Neither do any Of those tokens come
within the provisions of sec. 1852 u S.. r.
S., which also applies only to tokens in.
tended to be used as money.
The fifth describes a metal token cir
GUAR IN form and a trif1e larger than
the half dollar silver coin of the United
States, which on one side bears the raised
inscription, "a. M. Adler, Wagon Mound,
New Mex" and on the other side: Good
FOR 81 90 In merchandise" It's weight is
weight This does not support the aver
ment that 1t is in the likeness and simili-
tude of the silver coin of the United
states called a silver dollar, which is
than six times as heavy: and with no
similarity in the device or Inscription. 1t
does not therefore come within the pro-
hibition of the act Of Feb. 10, 1891 And
like reasons apply to the metal token
described in the 9Th count Of the informa-
ton.
The demurrer is therefore sustained,
and judgment will be entered diScharg-
ing the defendant