Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-06-30

statement that the person mas become
a Christian and is seeking to do the
right thing and that the return of the
money or stamps is all that can be
done to wipe off the stain, God having
forgiven the offense.
Some people write and send none,
for friend" but it is regarded as
probable that the sender is the rea
offender. 1t is immaterial, however
whether names are given or not, OF
who is the real offender. The treasury
officials make no effort! to investigate
any of the cases. 1t is declared that
the following letter was received some
time ago from an Iowa man. "I en-
close $125 to the conscience fund.
give no name, but will if necessary
Respectfully yours, John JONES'" While
the name John Jones" is fictitious, the
name actually signed was not, as the
department acknowledged receipt OF
the $125 and the letter was delivered
to the man at the town given.
Paid In Installments.
It is strange fact that notwith.
standing the thousands of letters re.
ceived. bearing signatures obviously
fictitious, it was only recently that the
first letter signed "John Smith came
to hand.
The treasury people state that it is
evident that people do not as general
rule make restitution for any large
sums until they have acquired a for.
tune, and yet there are exceptions. For
example one man who had swindled
the government out of quite a sum,
started in by remitting $40 and kept
it up, sending similar amount once
a month until the amount he claimed
he owed was fully paid.
A North Dakota man who came from
Canada and sold his moving outfit on
this side of the line, escaped payment
of duty. Some years later he sent $50
to the treasury to pay the duty on the
horse. Later he sent $40 as duty on
the wagon, and some months afterward
forwarded 81 to pay the duty on the
harness and close up the deal.
A Missouri man who had in some
manner gotten the best of Uncle Sam
to the extent of 50, sent the money to
President Roosevelt and asked him as
a favor to take 1t over to the treasury
and deposit it in the conscience fund.
He informed the President he would
be very much obliged for the 'little
service"
An Elastic Conscience.
A man from Tennessee who is in the
government service, possesses a con-
science of delicate nature He sent
the treasury S12.6S which was the
amount of money he had earned work
ing Sundays. An Illion, N. Y, man
forwarded $40 to the conscience fund
for fruit stolen when a boy"
During the last Cleveland admins.
tration the President received the fol-
lowing letter: "His Majesty, President
Cleveland: Dear President am in a
dreadful state of mind Two years ago
used two postage stamps that had
been used before on letters. did not
realize what was doing until lately.
My mind Is constantly turned on that
subject and think of it day and night.
Now, Dear President, will you please
forgive me for I was only 10 years old
and am heartily sorry for what I have
done. From one of your subjects"
While it is the practice of the de-
partment to give out for publication
the receipt of any considerable contri.
button to the conscience fund, the
name of the person is always withheld,
as well as the address.
Frank ]. Stillman.