Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-02-19
@ EOR GE TOWN AFFAfRS
. % !. = - - = L 4 q Z / y r
Cerysspoadsses Of tie Ssay.

ssH4.I q OEoRGEfowN, Feb. 10, 1858.
IL will be remembered that not many years
since Congress enacted quite stringent law for
the suppression of the small note zone and two
dollar bills) circulation Of the District For a
Short time sort OF dread Of its penalty caused
the community generally to receive aud utter
mem WIN consi cradle precaution, and for .
while the number In circulation became quite
Limited but q deficiency In specie change for
notes OF larger denomination occurring, and
the laws OF Virginia and Maryland tolerating
SUCH circulation, and the people Of the District
ascertaining that the people Of those States In the
naoit OF trading to our markets willingly re-
ce1ved them in payment for their produce, pub
lie opinion and common usage very soon set the
law At dehance--aH seemed 10 act upon the prin-
ciple that necessity knows no law. One and two
Gus az dies in midsummer, pretty much the only
circulating medium in the way Of change.
Time and again It's demands were proclaimed
in the hearing Of the Officers Of the law and the
nal Court bat we all know to what effect We
have yet To hear Of single instance in which its
majesty was vindicated by the infection of its
penalty upon one Of its thousands Of daily Often
ders. And doubtless there are many living wit
nesses to the fact that even while his honor the
Judge Of the Criminal Court would be hurting
law, in his grave charges to the grand juries-
calling upon them to ferret out and bring to judg
ment its offrnders-parties under the sound of his
own voice, and within the narrow limits of his
own forum, would be engaged receiving and
uttering them with as much boidness and impu-
nifty as though there had been no law prohibiting
their circulation.
What transpired in the meetings of the grand
nquisition, 1t is hardly necessary to tell; suffice
II to say that the subject (small notes) rarely
ever broached; IL ii was, 1t was only sort Of
joke; for, notwithstanding every member could
have put his hand upon a score of offenders no
indictment was ever found In obedience to his
Honor's charge; for the best Of all reasons there
was rarely, II ever, among them, a man clear
enOug b OF sin to cast the first stone. The conse-
qnence was the law soon became and so remain
ed a dead letter upon the statute book until he
before mentioned states enacted laws for the sup
preston Of such currency; and the people OF
those States trading to our markets know ny that
they could no longer use them at home, without
| mourning the penalty Of the law and Congress
again enacting other and more stringent laws for
their suppression in the District; and the neces-
sity for them having been supplied by gold dol
lars, they soon disappeared from among us
circulating medium. ....
Precisely such results we verify believe, will
again occur II Congress shall enact the report of
Mr.. Slidell into law. The banking laws of
Virginia and Maryland, tolerating the issuing
and circulation of notes of all denominations
from five dollars upwards, our proximity to
much of these States. aud being dependent upon
the for nearly all trade a sort Of oneness of
interests will sender ii utterly impossible to en-
force such a law in the District, without infict-
ing upon our citizens generally serious pecuniary
losses, by driving away fom us large portions of
our commerce. And just so soon such results
shall begin to occur, the criminal bench may call
In tones of thunder upon his grand jures and of.
ncers to enforce its penalties, general sentiment
Of disregard Of the demands of the law, super
induced by pressing necessity, will soon control
| the public mind, and the law will very like
some of its predecessors be set at naught and be-
come dead letter
The following are the places for receiving the
votes on Monday next:
First precinct at the house Of Mr.. Crowley, on
| Bridge street. Second. at the house of J. Cor
nell, opposite Christ Church, Congress street
Third, next door to DIR. Sothoron's drug store.
Fourth, at the house of Mrs McNeir, corner OF
Market and Fourth street
The weather continues very cold. Last nigh,
we had another light fall Of snow, and at the
time Of closing this letter it is ain coming down
pretty rapidly. 8