New-York tribune., 1903-01-04
THE CONSCIENCE FUND.
SOME REASONS WHICH IMPEL PERSONS
TO CONTRIBUTE TO IT-THEIR
LETTERS.
LETTERS.


Of the Treasury, the amount received from con-
science stricken people reaching the sum
of S35.S6S %. being $33 235 81 more than the
previous year, and running the total sum to
more than $35OeOO since the technically called
conscience fund was opened in September,
1911
The history of the fund is not without
entertainment. The account was opened with
a contribution Of less than dollar. which
forwarded to the Treasury by a resident
of New-York in September, 1911, who stated
that he had taken the amount from the gov
ernment and wished to make restitution. Off
cials Of the department state that it not
known at that time what to do with the amount
sent and simple memorandum made and
the slip of paper filed in OF the drawers,
where it remained undisturbed for many years.
1t seemed that there would never be another
conscience stricken citizen who would send in
another contribution and, in fact, it was not
until 1861, soon after the breaking out of the
rebellion that the name was given of conscience
fund.- at which time a bundle was received
containing S. 900 in bonds accompanied by
statement that the sum had long been due the
government, and it's payment was prompted by
conscience This gave the fund it's name and
il has since remained open. The amounts
ceived are covered into the Treasury as a mis-
assets of the department for any purpose that
Congress may deem proper.
Remittances are received almost weekIy-oc-
casonally the receipts are two or three
week, and, as rule, the letters are not signed.
Frequently they are signed by clergymen at
the request of penitents- As nearly all the COM
mUnications anonymous Acknowledgements
are made through the local press. The smallest
amount ever received was a two-cent stamp,
the sender explaining that he had used once
uIon time cancelled stamp 10 prepay post
age a letter. No money has ever reached
the fund from the hundreds who penalty
envelopes for private correspondence. The larg-
est sum ever received from London
$14,250 some one in the Presbytery of St Paul
transmitting through the American Consul Gen.
eral to the State Department, which sent it to
the Treasury There was no reason whatever as
signed for this pricking of conscience. The
largest sums received last year were $4,000 and
$1,000
Many of the letters accompanying the remit
tances are preserved, and the lifting of the red
tape of the esta blishnent gives some interesting
reading. The majority of bona fide conscien-
tious correspondents either give explanation
or content themselves with brief statements Of
the reasons for the return of the money, with
out attempting the task Of working the feel
ings Of the Treasurer. The contributors are
chiefly those who have 6efrauded the govern
ment while acting as its agents 9nd officers, or
who have evaded the internal revenue taxes on
customs duties. The and women who have
only defrauded the government slightly are
generally heard from after a religious revival
in their immediate neighborhoods They seem
to feel that in order to get squarely in the
straight and narrow road they must make good
their little stealings from the government, and,
l-fvN
need of these contributions. it fills the heart of
the Treasurer with pleasure to know that the
world is getting better Many of the letters or
file are from jocose correspondents who have
not scrupIed to make light Of SO serious mat
ter as to address to the Treasurer pretended
conscience letters and the humor is far in excess
of the money inclosed One Of these letters
reads:
Enclosed please find 10 cents, coin of the
realm won from United States paymaster at
draw poker, and which 1 convinced right
fully belongs to Uncle Samuel. 1 have carried 1t
for nearly six months and dare not trust myself
with it longer My conscience calls for relief
nv harassed nature calls for a good nights
Sleep / can have neither long as I carry
this terrible witness. You can apply it in Ii
quidation Of the national debt Now can feel
a realization of the proverb, BE virtuous and you
will be happy Now I can feel assurance
that in years yet to come it may be said of my
children Cyet to Gomez they were of poor but
honest parents Please acknowledge through
local reuueSt them % put in