Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-12-24
oAzrrrr CoHIIsPoHDIncE.
Boxps Insurance Compa u ies--Lswis Baker-The
yar,i., More op,aibu sses-- Bank s-The Publishers
-Amase ments--Ns Navigation.

A searching investigation is going on
among the Insurance companies OF this city;
the results prove the necessity OF such
thing. 1t has been common practice Tor
men to form themselves into company
under the provisions of general insurance
law borrow large capita tor few days. |
deposit it in the bank from which they Dor
rowed il, make oath before the State AUDI ,
tor that their capital was all, on such parts
as the law required, paid insecure
eharter,-pay back the money, which the
banker was wise enough never to let out OF
his hands, with large bonus,--open
splendid!y furnished otfice-put up some
intensly patriotic sign, such as"The Frank
lin or .The Webster" or "The Washing
tom Insurance Otfice,-get an expression
of confidence from some newspaper,-ad-
ver,ise shout month in some OF the daiiies,
send agents through the country TO effect
policies,-receive all the money they could,
and, as soon as any losses OF consequence
come-burst Mr.. Barnes, an agent en-
ployed BY the State, has lately closed sew
eral Of these swindling concerns, and many
others are expected TO meet the same fate
Persons at Il distance should be very care
ul about p9,ronixing travelling agents rect
IL from New York, as there are 30 many
companies here, which are apparently do
ing ell, that it would cost more TO collect
a debt from them than the whole OF the
principal would be worth. Our press might,
without any risk, take holder stand IN
! these matters than they do. 1t is well known
/ to them that the same men who were do
,ected, or rather implicated in one fraud
start another as soon as the first fails. Yet
| their names are never mentioned. For IN
stance, some of the persons who were In
connivance with Schuyler are now at the
head of corporations in which the people
place confidence, and others manage worth
less institutions; now il some journal were
boldly TO connect their names with the trans
actions in which they have been engaged,
the public would know the men and how TO
trust them.
The trial of Baker for the murder OF Poole
il. for the present, concluded The charge
of the Judge was in the opinion OF great
many, strong plea for the prosecution.
He failed to tell them that where there was
any doubt the prisoner should receive the
benefit oft Mr.. Brady. one Of the counsel
for the defence, promptly rebuked him,
Thirteen exceptions were taken TO his
charge. The Jury remained out about
thirty hours, and when discharged stood nine
for murder, with recommendation to mer-
cy, and three for manslaughter. The = hole
trial will he gone through with again. at
the next term. He stands good chance OF
acquittal then.
A very desirable move is on foot, forming
company for the transport Of passengers
J to and from the railroad depots and steam
boat landings to the hotels in any part o.
the city. There is at present no other way
than by the usual omnibuss route, or by
bring a hack; and the hackmen of New
York are proverbisl for their rascality. One
dollar being the least they will receive IRON
passenger, let the distance be ever sc
short, and if a dozen can be by any POSSIBLE
! ity packed into one at once, they must pay
: dollar each. These fellows nearly every
day or perhaps several times during the day
> make four dollars, and upwards for driving
. three or four blocks.
The contest, at Washin gton, for the
speakership, creates much talk. The gen
eral impression is that the supporters o
: Banks will stick to him to the end, ant
, throw the responsibility of the loss OF tint
upon the loose fish of the House, who pen
dulate between him and Richardson.
J The publishers in their "circular" of las
week took the back track upon the sweep
ing charges which they made against The
New York press. 1t is to be regretted tina
they lacked the pluck to continue the fight
and that the public was not fully enlightened
relative to the manner in which book notice
are got up.
Inc most noticeable thing IN the work
of amusement is the opening Of the Metro
politan Theatre by Miss Laura Keene, VIII
was so great favorite at Wallack's thre,
years ago. This establishment is now be
ing fitted up in splendid style and will opeI
on the evening of the 29th inst. The com
Pany engaged lisa very talented one; it is Il
be known henceforth as Laura Keene'
; Varieties
: The navigation on the Hudson river is ye
open and may from appearance continue ST
another week. Fires. during the week
: have been very frequent, consuming in al
about one hundred thousand dollars worth of
property. Yours, DC. MENTOR.
CosTISUEp.-The Keokuk WHO learns