Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-06
How the .Conscience Fund"
Lifts the Load of Care
~RY PHAT is known as the Con
science Fund of the Treasury
XAf Department Is growing beau
wv tffully less. indicating that the

M Department is growing beau
wv tffully less, indicating that the
world is growing better or that
the people are becoming constituencies.
For the fiscal year closing June 30 the
total amount received and credited to TINS
fund amounted to only s., 1890. being
decided decrease from that of the year lsoo,
when it was $7,343.49. In 1905 it was VII
1862, a year in which conscience got IN
it's work in good shape. but which was not
the largest received in any one fiscal year
since the account was opened in 1911. Inc
total amount of this fund now goes con-
siderably over S55O.000 every cent coming
from those who wished to make atonement
for sins committed in the way of pilfering
from the government.
1t may be that the sojurn of some of the
sinners at the Moundsvi1le penitentiary
and the narrow escape of others from that
institution have something to do with the
decrease of the fund. The close watch
kept on government employees has unques-
tionably had much to do with the falling
off of the fund. for there is not now the
opportunities to pilfer from Uncle sam as
in the days a-gone, when laxer methods
prevailed throughout the entire government.
1t is true that once in a great while a
large amount is restored. For some time
after the war. when all sorts OF steaIngs
were rife in all parts of the country, con-
sciences Of the criminals seem to have
reached a very respectable proportion and
penitence found vent in a regular cornu-
copia of regrets expressed in cash or Its
equivalent.
The decline of the fund" said one of
the Treasury officials. is not due to the fact
that the world is growing better, but that
people have not the conscience they once
had. That the world is growing worse
there can be TO doubt. and that little moni-
tor called conscience is not overtaxed
There is just as much small piferings in
the government as there ever was. We
seldom hare eff these. but occasionally one
of the 'purgers is caught up with and
made to ray the penalty. Not all the
'piuncers' are caught. either, by a long
jump. In a word. you mag say that con-
science is simply not doing it's work; it is
held in check
The history of the fund is not without
interest and entertainment. The account
was opened in September, 1911 with con-
tributon of less than ST. which was for
warded to the Treasury by a conscience
stricken resident of New York. who stated
that he had taken the amount from the
government and wished to make restitution.
Officials of the department state that it
was not known at that time what to do
with the money and a simple memorandum
was made and the slip of paper filed in one
of the rawers, where it remained undis
turbed for many years. 1t appeared that
there wnIl1I 10 another
of this character and, in fact. it was not
until 1861, soon after the breaking out of the
civil war when bundle was received
containing $1,000 in bonds, accompanied by
a statement that the restitution which had
long been due the government was prompt
ed by conscience. This gave the account
it's name Conscience Fund" 1t has since
remained open, and all amounts returned
to the Treasury in consequence of the
prickings Of the inward monitor (Which in
too many Instances seems to be iron-clad)
have been credited to 1t, covered into the
general treasury as miscellaneous re-
ceipt, and may be used like other assets of
the Treasury for any purpose that Con-
gress may deem proper.
Letters with Enclosures intended for the
conscience fund are usually addressed to
the treasurer, but they go to the public
moneys division. which makes note of the
amounts and deposits them with the
treasurer Of the United States. The sums
received are almost always in cash, stamps,
with now and then a draft. They are
never accompanied by the names of the
senders, except once in while in the
cases of persons who have made mistakes
as to payments of customs duties. The
written communications relating to them
are very brief as rule. If otherwise, they
contain elaborate apologies and appeals.
Occasionally letters are signed by clergy
men at the request Of penitents. Remit
tances are received almost weekly-oc-
casionally the receipts are two or three a
week.
In forwarding money for the conscience
fund the senders frequently request that
acknowledgment shall be made by publ