The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-06-02

button was the largest ever received
with one exception. The record was
made In 1896 when United States
Consul General Patrick Collins at
London transmitted to the secretary
Of the treasury s14, 225 10, which had
been given to him by the Rev. Pre-.
bendary Barff, vicar of st Giles
church In one of the suburbs Of the
English metropolis. The vicar In
formed Consul General Collins that
one Of his parishioners had handed
him the money with the simple re.
quest that it be sent to the United
States government. Although the
papers at the time were filled with
speculations by various authorities
who advanced various theories to ac-
count for the conscience contribu-
tion," nothing definite was ever learn
ed either Of the conscience smitten
person or of the theft or fraud that
he had committed. 1t was generally
supposed that the sender of the mo-
ney had, at some time, defrauded the
government through the Customs
Bureau, and the same explanation Is
now held In regard to the S12, 200
package that came to the department
On March IA.
Many contributions received at the
treasury department are apparently
due to recent conversion at revivals or
campmeetings These are almost al
ways signed "a Penltent," "a Sin
ner" or A Lost Soul" The fair sex
Is especially given to confession, and
feminine contributions are nearly
always accompanied by long letters
telling in detail how they smuggled
their diamonds, laces and gifts to
friends In the country without paying
duty, or used cancelled postage
stamps. Many Of the letters are sent
to the president of the United States,
on the supposltioD, pr, bibly, that he
will see aud read them. AS matter
OF fact he has too much important
official and personal correspondence to
be worried with the conscience trou.
bles OF unknown citjZ,ns, and Secreta-
ry Loeb, who reads or directs the
reading Of all his mail, sends the
money, with the acc u panying notes,
to the tire asury deparUment. Scarcely
a week passes without bringing three
or four conscience contributions" to
the white house. During President
Cleveand's administration he once
received letter from Is year old
boy, who returned three two cent
postage stamps. When I was q boy
thirteen" writes the fifteen year old
penltent, L used three postage stamps
that had been cancelled, but did not
realize the crime l committed. L
hope that will be forgiven for the
crime, because l was only thirteen
years old when did It,"
One OF the largest contributions
was during President Harrison's term
OF office. The money came in large
bills, which were all cut In two, and
at first Only one end CT the roll" was
received ut the treasury department.
Il will send the other half of the
money" the man wrote, as soon as
see b7the papers that it has been
received in Washington The pub.
location in the papers was made at
once, and the man was as good as his
word, directing the other halves to
Postmaster General Wapamaker.
The poStotfica department. has es-
tabllshed Conscience Fund" separ-
ate from that Of the treasury depart
ment, to accommodate the money and
stamps sent in from time to time to
the postmaster general. AS fast as
they are received, however, the con,
trjtu lions are sent up to the treasury,
and go, with the other mites, into the
big vaults, the contents Of which help
to pay Uncle Sans bills when they
come due.