The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1855-01-24

MosrrAnY.-The Picayune, of the 18th, in
its report, says, after closing ourmoney article,
we have aseertained, with deep regret, the
Hstoppage of two extensive houses. The paper
! Of Fellowes g Co, largely engaged in the cot.
ton, tobacco factorage, produce and general
commission business, and also that Of Swiney,
Green & Co, well known cotton factors, went
| to protest this evening. In both instances the
suspension was brought about by the impos-
sibilty to meet engagements and advances,
based on cotton and produce which IS kept
in the interior by the continued low stage OF
water, and under such circumstances It was
mot deemed advisable to make sacrifices which
could only impair their entire ability, as we
/ feel satisfied, to pay every thing in full. The
aggregate liabilities of both houses amount to
| about two millions and a half Mr.. G. Eel
loves, the head of the house of +. d Co, is a
merchant Of high standing and strict integrity,
and gentleman, moreover, deservedly esteem
ed both in his commercial and private rela-
tons. We deeply sympathise with his mis-
fortune, temporary though it may be, and the
more SO since we feel persuaded that three
weeks more would have seen the house clear
out of the woods. But the banks, it appears,
are not just now in condition to extend, nor
are we aware that any assistance was asked
for. The surplus of assets over liabilities
must be very large, and Of their intrinsic SOL
vency we are hardly permitted to entertain
a doubt. The untoward incident is to be de-
plored ON account of the mistrust it is calcula-
ted to engender But whatever the effect on
the money market may be remains to be seen.
AS We have over and again repeated, business
here has been generally conducted on a sound
and legitimate basis, and beyond the first ma
tura effect Of alarm for day or two, we GER
tainly do not anticipate any thing unfavorable
OSERous OFFICIAL DUTIES great many
people are impressed with the belief that the
custom house officers in the principal CONNER
cial cities have very comfortable berths and are
not too laboriously occupied by their official du-
ties. How far this impression is well founded
may be judged by the circular which is en-
braced in the following extract from the New
York Evening Post Of Monday. The reader
will learn from this article not only that the
custom house officers are energetically employ
ed, but that they have both an anxious and an
arduous time of it:
From the New ork Post of December IL.
The following communication, we understand
has been addressed to every democratic mem-
Der of congress- One of their number has had
the kindness to send us acopy:
To the democratic members of congress
The necessity for a Well-conducted and perma-
ncntly established democratic paperin the city OF
New York has been felt by the party here for
the last twelve years, and although many eff
forts have been made to establish such paper,
to the regret and modification Of allgood demo
Gratis every one has failed. Many reasons can
be given for these repeated failures, but the
most important and chief one is the want of an
Every party, every faction, and almost every
society in New York have their .'organ, yet
the great democratic party has never been able
to sustain a daily paper. On instituting inquiry
into this matter it was found that the main sup
port of all successful papers here is derived
from large weekly circulation, and that the
organs Of the various parties and societies have
their principal circulation in the country.
The democratic party Of this city have made
arrangements for the publishing Of the New
York Day Book as democratic paper, and as
it is desirable that it should have an extensive
weekly circulation in the country, and It's infiu-
ence be felt far and wide, we have to request
that you will use your exertlons to giyeit circu-
lation in your district.
Respectfully, yours,
HEMAN ]. REDFIELD, john CocHRANE,
LORENZO B. SHEPARD, IsAAc.V. Fowler,
JOHN l. MUMFoRD.
New York, Dec. 1, 1854.
n B. We trust that you will give it your in
dvdual subscription at least.
The first gentleman who signs this note is
the collector of the port of New York, the sec
ond is the surveyor Of the port Of New York,
the third was deserving but unsuccessful
candidate for the Office of United States district
attorney for the southern district Of New Y ork,
the fourth is postmaster of the city of New
York, and the fifth is a deputy collector Of the
port of New York, and at present editor of the
journal which in this note receives the modest
assurance of his high consideration.
Our contemporary is fortunate in having such
active and disinterested friends in high places,
and we hope its prosperity and usefulness may
be proportioned to their exertions. Should the
fruit of their recommendations be the means of
making one more editor independent Of party
patronage, and Of relieving the public treasury
of a corresponding burden. it would become
matter Of public as well as private and personal
The Evening Post takes exception to some Of
the statements made in the above circular, and
says:
Our people have not been so destitute of
sound political ministrations for the last twelve
years as these gentlemen are pleased to repre-
sent. The Post was established before one Of
these gentlemen was born, ssand was actively
pleading for the great principles Of democratic
liberty under the charge Of one Of its present
conductors when their employer was beginning
to parse in easy sentences at the district school,
1t further reminds them that the Post was the
first paper north of the Potomac that advocated
the doctrines of free trade, and is the only
paper now published in the city Of New York
that supported the administrations of Jackson
and Van Buren,
What a commentary on the enterprise, intel
ligence and liberality ofthe Piercitesin the city
of New York-the great emporium Of America.
To what pitiful condition the party has ar
rived. We suppose the Office holders expect
that the present democratic congress will make
an appropriation out of the funds Of the general