Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-05-12

"Nickel'-was exceedingly unpopular.
1t was in fact SO unpopular that there
was serious talk Of calling 1t in again,
for the small tradespeople refused to
accept it, and there was a general feel.
Ing among the lower classes that 1t
would become valueless some day and
be as difficult to get rid of as foreign
coppers. Various methods were dis
cussed among the departmental officials
Tor pushing the circulation Of the coin
which mad aroused such unreasonable
prejudice II was graYely proposed that
a pamphlet should be published for graz
tuitous distribution calling attention to
its advantages. citing its demonstrated
utility in the United States and appeal
ing to the patriotism of the French
public to support IT, Just leave the
matter In my hands" said NJ. Poin-
care, after these suggestions had been
laid before him, and I'll guarantee
that within few weeks the nickel coin
VIII be the most popular coin In Paris"
Had NJ. Poincarre laid his scheme be-
fore his colleagues, they would proba-
bly, have rejected II as undignified, I'M
precedented and contrary to all red tape
rules and regulations so dear to the
official mind, Nobody knew who start
ed the rumor, or the means that were
adopted 10 spread II, but one day all
Paris was whispering that In the issue
of these coins were FIVE on which the
magic word 'Rothschlld' had been en-.
graved III tiny letters. And every
where the story was told that the first
person who took one OF these coins TO
Rothschild's bank in the Rue LATTE
would receive $4,000 for It, that for the
second nickle similarly inscribh
$1,000 would be paid; for the third and
fourth $1,000 and $500. for the last of
the five, 1t was said that Rothschid
had large stock of nickel on hand
which he wanted TO get rid Of to the
government, and had devised this sort
OF gratuitous lottery scheme I'm order
to create such a demand for the nickel
coins as would force the government to
buy the metal Of him.
The creduous French folk, who dear.
~ love anything that appeals to their
gambling instincts, readily swallowed
the story, Small tradesmen who had
previously fought shy of the new coin
were eager to obtain It, The lower
classes insisted on getting nickels with
their change. In few days the nickel
25-centime was the most popular coin
In Paris and the demand for It ex-
ceeded the supply. Needless 10 say no
one has yet got hold of a coin on which.
even by the aid Of microscope, the
name "Rothschild" can be discovered.
But there are still thousands Of people
In Paris who are convinced that with
good luck they may obtain $4,000 for 3
cents,
1t must not be inferred from this
that NJ, PoincarTe belongs to the noun
tebank type Of politician He Is one OF
the abest lawyers in France. His prac-
tise chiefly lies IN financial affairs of
the first magnitude and brings him an
enormous income. He is one OF the
hardest and most conscientious work
ers at the bar But IN his younger days
he was a journalist. In that capacity
he learned how easy II Is to fool the
people. And he believes that I'm good
cause, fooling tho people is justifiable.
His colleagues are Of the same opinion
now--at least as far as regards the
new French nickel.