Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-08-11
Local Affairs.
Local fairs
Great Mass Mccling!
OF THE MERCHANTS
A. the German Thcater /:
An Effective Blow Struck for
GOOD CURRENCY,


AT eight o'clock last evening the Germa
Theater was crowded to excess by arg
and enthusiastic crowd of opponents to
shlnplaster currency.
The meeting was called to order by Car
Roddewig, who nominated Mr. L. S. Veil.
chairman Of the meeting. On motion Mr.
Chas. Tegler was appointed secretary.
Mr.. Neile then addressed the meeting a.
| follows:
Fellow Citizens, We are once more con
vened to take into conside .ation that
question of the currency of this city
He had not expected to be called
/ upon 10 preside over this meeting but felt
that he could not refuse under anv circnm
stances to stand up for the right and act ac-
eordlnG to the dictates Of duty. lie felt
tnat he owed it to himself, to the city of
Davenport and the country. While
the meeting was, he was assured, prepared
to act calmly, he hoped they would
act declsively Let US loose sight Of he
men who have brought these difficulties
upon US and endcavor to ascertain what is
for onr best Interests
The currency does not, will not and can
not. answer the purposes OF the merchants
In fact it was no currency at all-yold and
silver were in fact the only currency; but
by the custom OF merchants paper had be-
come currency. But that special basis
was always necessary to make paper q eur
rency- Otherwise it never cou.d become a
circulating medium. The great question
the meeting WAS for, what was best TO be
done under the circumstances. There were
bat two things to be done-one was to take
the money at what it il worth. and the 9th.
er was to refuse it entirely. The question
was with the meeting to decide whether it
Is expedient to take il for what it will buy.
or not at all
1t was proper. he thought, in con-
sidering the subject TO consider the
chances of an ultimate redemption. Prom
ises had time and again been made by the
proPrietors of the bank that it would be
placed at par in few weeks or month
but none oftheir promises had been redeem
ed. These promises having all been broken
they now could place no confidence in any
promises, even if il was stated that they
would redeem it next week Business
could no longer be done upon basis of thia
character No flour could be purchase
with Florence and no wheat could be pur-
chased 1t will never answer our purpos es
even if taken at 50 or 81 or 90 cents on the
dollar. The committee appointed at the
Court House, or portion of them had re-
fused to act After some further ramaras
Mr.. Veile Their proceeded again to state that
the only question was whether they should
take it at any price Or whethexthey should
refuse to take it at all
lie hoped that the acts of the meeting
would be characterized by GOODNESS and de
liber alton and that nothing would be done
except for the best interests of the citizens.
The report of tho speech oi,Mr. Neile is ne
cessariy very imperfect IN consequence OF
the Likeness of the hour at which the meet
ing was concluded. He was repeatedly
cheered throughout and sat down amid loud
ard long continued ap plause.
On motion of Mr. Tegler, a committee OF
five, consisting OF Messrs. Corbin, Rodde-
wig. Chew. Kunen, MET earn and Evans was
appointed to draft resolutions expressive of
the sentiments of the meeting
MIR. Atwood was then called upon, who
very readily came forward. and in long
and desultory harangue first snoothed the
pussy ore way and then the other, to the
great edification of the meeting, anl when
he left her, her hair looked as well as when
he started.
He also referred to the fact that it had
been stated by some persons that III starting
his bank he was crazy-which statement
brought down th house. He was repeat
edly interrupted during his speech by calls
for the report of the committee After the
conclusion Of the speech, the following re
solutions were reported by the committee:
WHEREAS, we have taken deprecated cur
rency as long as We can, consistently with
our own and the best interests of the city
and count be it. therefore
Resoired That on and after August llth,
We pledge ourselves not TO receive any more
of The issues Of the Bank of Florence, nor
fractional shinpasters.
Resolrtd, That it is the duty Of every bus
iness man in this city, to sign these resolu
iione, and abide by them.
Fesolped, That q committee of two be APP
pointed 10 circulate these resolutions.
Signed by
r. RODnEwIG,
G. W. M'CARS,
H. B. EVANS.
NICHOLAS KrBNES,
AUSTIN CoRBIN.
Committee
Mr.. Corbin being then loudly called for
arose and stated that many things in a few
words, impressing upon the meeting the
Tact that the business of the city could no.
improve until established uron firm
er basis, all Of which was most cordially
endorsed by the meeting.
| At the conclusion Of the speech of Mr..
Corbin. the resolutions we're adopted with.
out dissenting voice with great applause
All persons who felt disposed were then re-.
] IL A.