The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-01-17
REMARKs or MR. ARcHBoID.

REMARKS OF Mr.. ARCHBOLD,
On the amendment proposed by the committee on
public printing, 10 the resolution for printing
extra copies Of the report Of the directors and
superintendent Of the .Lunatic. Asylum to sstlke
out the German copies. ,.4...s.v.r,,
Mr.. ARcHBoLD said: He Gid not intend to be
importunate with the house on this sutject if the
house was invincIbly determined not to print, he
must submit. But he contended that if an excep-
tion was to be made in favor of any document,
this was the one. The loss of reason was perhaps
the direst calamity to which human nature stood
exposed twas all important that the unfortunate
sufferers should be submitted to remedial treatment
with the utmost despatch. Chronic cases were
almost hopeless. Yet many OF our citizens felt
reluctant to place their unhappy friends IN the
institution, however urgently such step might be
demanded. The idea of bedlam was associated
in the minds Of many, with the ideas of darkness,
and filth, and i'll usage, and discomfort. The very
name called up in the minds of many, the image
Of prison with its cells and CRATES, and chains,
and scourges, and duckipg stools And this had
been its real picture in times gone by. Modern
science and philanthropy had brought about a new
era; but modern science and philanthropy would
be found to have lit their lamp in vain, if they took
no steps to diffuse the light 1t was necessary 10
dispel the lingering remains OF delusion from the
public mind; to let our citizens know, that in
committing their friends to the asylum they were
not committing them 10 dungeon kept with its
jealous guardian, but 10 the care of kind and be-
nevolent physit tians. That they were not consign-
ing them to the abodes OF squalid wretchedness,
but of cleanliness and order, and humanity COM
bined with salutary restraint. And the best way
to do this was to publish the annual reports of the
institution itself Much, very much, had already
been done in this way, but something yet remain
ed to be done. The pref idices against institutions
Of the kind were very much abated, but not en-
entirely eradcated. If this remark would hold
good of our Anglo American population, it must
be still more applicable TO our German fellow citi-
zens whose language did not afford them facilities
for becoming acquainted with our institutions so
speedily as our own afforded to US.
For this reason he was decidedly in favor of
translating the reports Of this noble and beEeyo-
lent institution into the German language, and
scattering them among hrt large and respectable
class Of our fellow citizens. oaa
They would meet in social parties 10 converse
of their fatherand, and relate the incidents of
their youth, as well as to discuss the institutions
of their adopted country .Fgsa"
A single copy OF this report in a neighborliood
might be the means of doing much good. The
information which it would contain would be
speedily transmitted throughout the social circle.
When he reflected that very large proportion of
our taxes was paid by the German population, he
thought he might enforce his demand by consde-
rations Of sl.eer justice.
The House disagreed to the amendment propos-
ed by the committee. ssI t.i.ll .l.a ,slia4
THE SECRET OF SCoTcH HBANKING.-0fthr-
ty-one banks in Scotland which issue notes, five
oly are chartered-that is the responsibility of
the propretors in those established is confined to
the amount Of their subscribed capital. The re-
naming twenty-six are, with one or two excep-
tons, joint-stock banks; and the proprietors are
liable to the public for the whole of the bank re-
sponsbties to the last shilling of. their private
fortunes. The number of persons connected with
these banks as shareholders is very great, almost
every man Of opuence in the country being hold
er ofstock to greater or less amount. The Scot
tish bankers have arranged amongst themselves
mutualsystem of exchange, stringent as if it had
the force of statute, by means of which an over
issue of notes becomes matter of perfect impossi-
bility. Twice in every week the whole notes de-
posted with the different bank. k.offcers in Scotland
are regularly interchanged.
Now, with this system, in operation, ii is perfect
ly ludicrous 10 suppose that any bank would issue
its paper rashy for the sake of an extended crcu-
lation The whole notes 10 circulation thoughout
Scotland return to their respective banks in period
averaging from ten to eleven days in uroan, and from
a fortnight to three weeks in rural districts. In
consequence OF the rate Of interest allowed by the
banks, no person has any nducement to keep bank
paper by him, but the reverse; and the general
practice of the country is to keep the circulation at
as low rate as possible The numerous branch
banks which are situated up and down the country,
are the means of taking the notes Of their neigh
bors out Of the circle as speedily as possible. In
this way il is possible for the circulation to be
more than what is absolutely necessary for the
ofthe country
If, therefore, any bank had been so rash as to
grant accommodation without proper security,
merely for the sake of obtaining circulation, ten
days, fortnight at the farthest, il is compelled
account with the other banks for every note they
have received. Ifit does not hold enough Of their
paper to redeem itsown upon exchange, il iscom-
PEELED to pay the difference in exchequer bills, a
certain amount Of which every bank is bound by
mutual agreement to hold, the fractional parts Of
each thousand pounds beng payable in Bank Of
England notes in gold. In this way oyertading,
IN SO far as regards the issue Of paper. is effec
Iually guarded and controlled that it would puzzle