The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-01-03

THE OLD YEARS GANs.--Anongst the retro
spects which it is our habit to present to our
readers at the commencement q the new year.
there is one which may be said IA give unalloyed
satisfaction. We allude to that which. in the adj
vertisements in our financial column, sums up
the years results in banking and other stock
operations by the announcement of handsome
dividends Thus we find the Chemical Bank in
timating to its shareholders that it is ready 70
pay a dividend of six per cent on the quarter,
making twenty four per cent on theyear-a de-
claration which we will venture to say but few
similar companies in the world are il position
to initiate. This is the only New York bank, it
will be recolected, which declined tosuspcnd it,!
specie payments during the panic, and which
was never for one moment embarrassed by itsi
selfreliance at that critical period. The pros
perity of this institution is proof that sagacous
management and decision Of purpose will do Us
much for joint stock associations as for
individual enterprises. Next we have fire
insurance company Qhe Park) announcing
semi-annual dividend of ten per cent. showing
that the operations of that concern have been
conducted with almost equal prudence AMI skill.
A still more gratifying feature in our Saturdays
financial column is the declaration Of the
semi-annual dividend of three per cent On the
| stock Of two of the Savings Banks We
may take the fact as evidence that tie large
class for whose benefit this institution was
founded are exercising that economy and fore
sight which alone can c0nduce to their ,rosperi-
| ty and comfort in the country of their adoption.
| OF the notices relating to State stocks We may
remark en- PEASANT, that California bomb stand
in rather more satisfactory position or the
holders now than they did couple f years
! ago, when they were at little more than one
third of their present value. Amongz these
financial advertisements there is not ole moro
creditable to those concerned, nor more satisfael
tory to the commercial world generally, than
that OF the house Of Dennistoun q Co., tnnounc-
ing its readiness to anticipate, by twtlve aud
eighteen months the instalments whis,, under
the pressure Of the panic, they were compelled to
ask time for from their creditors. This prompt
ness in relieving those to whom they an indebt-
ed from the inconvenience to which Their embar-
easements have subjected them is an example
which we trust will have the effect Of stimulating
others to similar exertions. Whilst thenercha4ts
of the world are animated by such spirit thd
periodical revulsions which Speculation and over
trading bring in their train can be attended with
no permanently injurious results. from this
brief yess'mf it will be seen that the advertise
ment columns of our paper are scarcely Less in
teresting during the holidays than during periodl
of active commercial movement. # the New
Year brings with it the obligation to wipe off old
scores, it should be recollected that it at thu
same time returns to those who live upon tha
interest OF their capital the revenues upon whicA
they have counted. All circumstances consider
ed, we are justified in inferring that there ar1
fewer disappointments under this latter head thar
people had dared to hope for after period O
such unexampled depression and suffering.