The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-06-10
Our st. Louis Correspond enee.

The Late FHo-Recuperatir Powcr of st. Louis
Extra Session of LegislatWe-hlterest Laus--
Enterprise Of the Ne,c York Herald-Cd. Ben-
toms Spcech-Absquatnlatio Extraordinary.
Sr LOUIS, Mo, May q, 1919.
regret to perceive, in some of the Eastern pa
lers, the most exaggerated statements in relation
TO the late calamity which befel this city The
Baltimore and Washington papers have telegraphic
dispatches, or what they alege to be such,
stating that onc-half of our city has been destroy
ed, and that its commercial prosperity is at an end
TIE facts are far otherwise. The fire, it IS true,
swept over large portion Of the mercantile quar-
ter, but the whole area of the burnt district does
not exceed one mile in length, by fifth of mile
in width; whereas the river front of our city is
more than four miles IN extent, the town extend
ing back for nearly two miles, and the whole area
late the scene OF dense and thriving population.
From Locust street, where the fire from the
steamers first caught the city, there not build
ing, northwardly, that is injured and on the
river, from this point to the northern limit of the
city, is an extent of about two miles so that you
perceive we have some room left for the Immedl:
ate transaction OF commercial business. And
business is rsviving rapidly. Indeed, severe
would be the catastrophe which could paralyze the
ashes to-day, its very location would raise it, Ph1
nlx-lke, before year had rolled away. Where
money begets money, thither capital will flow, and
we have no fear OF wanting the means to reinstate
within few days, by. certain wel-meaning citi-
zens, to get up an application to the Executive Of
the State, for called session of the Legislature,
tor the purpose OF soliciting aid from that quarter
our people think it best to get along without the
aid OF the States credit, particularly as the latter
is rather below par, and that Of the city, even in
her present crippled condition. much the better OF
the two. The most that the Legislature could do,
at this crisis, would be to repeal the odlous in
terest laws, and leave capitalists untrammeled, to
get tor the use Of their money whatever the bor-
rover might deem it worth, and be willing to give.
While, however, rate of interest higher than SIX
OF an influx ofcapital from abroad, Still, think
our own resources are equal to the emergency,
and predict that, before the first day of January
next, few traces OF the present Will remain.
was pleased to perceive that you so promptly
advised your readers of the occurrence of the late
fire. The despatch for the Herald, giving an ac-
count of it, was the first that went the wires
after temporary telegraphic office had been esta
blished. Louisville and Cincinnati did not get the
details until the Monday night following; that,
mad II not been toryour own enterprise, you would
have remained in blessed ignorance of the particu-
lars of the fire for at least four days after its
renee
The visit Of Colonel Benton to our State has,
as predicted would be the case, been the cause
OF much excitement in the ranks of the democra-
cy. The feeling, at present, is decidedly averse
TO the senator's supposed position; but, ere this
reaches you it possible affairs may have reach
ed their crisis, and favorable change have been
produced. He was to have given his views to the
public, at Jefferson city, yesterday; but as shall
have sent you, by telegraph, particulars on that
score ere this reaches you, it ia unnecessary to
dwell further on the subject now.
Quite sensation was created in our city a few
days since, by the sudden, and, for time, unac-
countable disappearance of Loring Pickering,
Esq, formerly one of the proprietors of the St.
Louis Union, but more recently a commission
merchant, bank director, &c. Mr.. Pickering
regarded as a man of ample means Il seems,
however, that some Transactions not strictly
honorable, and which compromised, in mea-
sure, the interests of his late partners, came TO
injured parties and repair the wrong, he fled, but
leaving behind him sufficient means to cancel all
money liabilities 1t Is supposed that he has started
for California. ARGUS.