The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1857-08-21

Geo. Smith, Of Chicago, has been for
long time the Money King of the Northwest,
and has exerted more powerful influence in
fiscal affairs in the region somewhat to the
North of US, for ten to fifteen years past,
than any other man, and perhaps it would be
safe to say, than any combination Of
men. He has circulated comparatively
small amount Of ,currsncy secured under the
Illinois law, but he has been almost exclu-
sivaly engaged in the "wildcato business, OF
which he has been the main prop. First he
issued the s'Wisconsin Marine and Fire In
surance" paper, of which he sometimes Ind in
circulation, 1t is supposed, some $500, 600,
in defiance OF the law and the law Makers
After the passage Of the Wisconsin Banking
Law he went into the Georgia speculation,
the Atlanta being his 6rst pet. 1t is but JUS
tice, however, to say, that his business has
always been managed with consummate skill
and energy. and without loss to bill holders,
for he has never failed to redeem his issues.
accordiugto agreement. lie has accumala-
ted, in the banking business and BY the rise
OF real estate, an immense fortune. And a
late Scottish paper informs the public tina,
he has purchased the home lot Of the estate
Of Westhall, near Aberdeen, Scotland, to
which he is soon to retire, and take to him
self lady Of quality as companion for the
balance Of his life. lie came originally from
Aberdeen, and is still n Scotchman, never
having become an American citizen. Hav.
ing made fortune from the vulgar Democ.
racy OF this Republican country, he now re.
tires to spend the balance Of his days ms
paryenu grandce, among the Scotch aristoc.
racy. The Chicago Tribune recommends tina,
be adopt as his crest red-dog rampant, OF
wildcat eouchdmt, in a field of western
mixed"
II Mr.. smith re,ires from the wildcat field
we believe the system win 20 by the board
for without his influence aud energy il could
not have obtained a standing at the West
after Wisconsin and Illinois adopted Bank
ing laws, and we do not believe i, can b,
maintained after he quits the fcld, for tn,
legitimate bankers are too many and too
powerful Tor any competition except such al
be waged with them. And so we are sla,
that be has got rich and ready to retire.
Wiscossix CURRENCY. - The ST. Leu
banks and brokers have concluded not to re
ceiye Wisconsin notes as currency, but viii
take II At : per cent. discount. They thinl
that the late depreciation in public securi
ties has impaired the safety Of the notes i,
M average Of two per cent.
An effort is making in Wisconsin to agre,
upon some plan for common redemption q
prominent Commercial reirt, Milwaukee,
we presume, would be adopted. II such al
arrangement il made, Wisconsin currenc
would sustain the best possible reputation i
every market. As it is, probably there is n
currency in the country better secured, as
whole.
A SiGs.-The following twelve countie
contain nearly one half of the slaves of Nj,
souri,, viz: Boone, Buchanan, Caliawa,
Howard, Jackson, johnson, Lafayette, Ne,
Madrid, Pike, Platte, Saline, Carroll. /
these counties the number Of slaves has nc
materially increased during the last five year,
And these coaaties, together, give Rollin
loo majority over Stewart.