The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-01-12

O'Clock, A. M.-(the usual notice for all the
branches was from o'clock until II O'Clock
A. Nd Several citizens were waiting; some
with the view of taking stock, others TO see
how the affair was managed. These gentle |
men received their first information upon
the subject Of the opening of the books, about
twenty minutes after 8 o'clock, A. M-when
it was announced that the stock was all taken;
and that citizen of Indiana, who, perhaps,
was never in the city of Richmond before, was
the owner of nine tenths of the whole stock OF
tie Richmond branch
At some of the branches, the stock was
taken in ten minutes; at others in half an
hour; and, at some neither the books, nor the
doors Of the house, were opened. | am advised,
by the best ofcitizens, that at large majority
of the branches, the opening of the books and
the taking of the stock, were solemn tarces;
mere mockeries. At two branches suits have
been brought to set aside the acts of the sub
commissioners. One suit was decided below
against them The other is not yet determia-
ed.
II is one of the objects of the suit to which
you refer, to set aside the acts of all ofthe
commissioners. The view taken OF the ques-
til b. legal gentleman, is. that if these acts be
set aside, the books cannot be opened again,
without an act of the Legislature. In this
way, the whole question may be brought be-
fore the people, even should the suit fail, upon
the decision ofseveral constitutional questions
in the courts of the State.
I have procured from the Secretary of State
from the files in his office, statement A OF
the shares of stock, from two hundred upwards
taken by the same person. By this statement
which will be found below, thirty persons in
Indiana have a majority all the stock; the
controlling influence in what is mposlngly
called the Bank of the State Of Indiana; the
exclusive right to furnish currency that
must affect our trade and commerce for the
next twenty years. This is, surely, remark
able state of affairs, for which, believe no
parallel can be found in the legislation q any
other State. Several gentlemen were at
various points, on the same day, engaged IN
taking stock.
1t is truly stated that purchased one share
of stock in the Old State Bank. This was
done. with the view of enabling me to raise
the constitutional question, as to the validity
of the New Bank charter This suit will be
prosecuted. Two others will be commenced
one immediately in the name OF the State
These suits will be carried through our courts
TO a final decision; and if, ultimately, it shall
be decided that this new banking institution
must be fastened upon the people OF the State
for the next twenty years, it will present, IN
its course from its Introduction into the lleglS-
lature till the present hour, verlhcatlon o.
my oft repeated saying, that, with many OF the
politicians of these days, the two leading ideas
are Washington Citg, and the Penitentiary; OF
how to reach the one, and avoid the other.
Many well meaning citizens were deceived
and misled with respect to the nature OF this
new banking institution, and some were In
duced to take part in its organization In nc
state of things that can arise, is it possible tt
give such an institution any character or cred
It; the charter itself containing many priv
leges and powers which no fair capitalist
would desire. In fact, its whole history, from
Its commencement, presents it in an aspect SC
unfavorable, that it is the duty Of every good
citizen to contribute his mite to wipe it out o
existence. For the sake of the honor and
credit of our own State, | hope that the Stat
utes may never again be incumbered with its
like.
have the honor to be, yours, most respect.
fully, JOSEPH A. WRIGHT.