Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-06-28
.Merobant Princes, of New York.


rank among the Merchant Princes of New York,
and who deserve honorable mention. We refer
TO Robert L. & Alexander Stuart, the great su-
oar refners, whose mother and father emlgrated
| from Scotland many years since to this country,
| in poor circumstances. They brought nothing
with them but their sterling Scotch habits OF
honesty and industry, directed by good common
sense, deeply imbued with sense of moral du-
ties and obligations inculcated by the stern char
soter oftheir national "krk" The twain COM
menced the business of manufacturing sugar can
! DIV. The good wife would superintend the busl-
ness at home, while the good man would peddle
| it at public places, and along the streets. By
close economy and unremtting toll, their cir
cumstances soon improved, so far as to enable
them to take store and to extend their business.
The boys were brought up in habits OF industry
and proper family discipline, having the princl.
ples of honesty and moral obligations instilled
into them. AS they grew up they were enabled
to help their parents in the business. at the
death of their father, the whole business, which
had grown from candy shop into consldera-
bic sugar refinery, was conducted exclusively on
the cash system. Stuarts candies became cele-
brated as the best in the country. Under the
management Of the sons, the sugar refinery has
become the largest in the United States, if not in
highest reputation for purity. Fruits preserved
with their best crushed, it is said, will keep
longer and better than if put up with other pro-
ductions. This may be, to some extent, the re-
suit of prejudice; but we do know the fact, that
a number of families in New York will not use
any other for this purpose. The house has given
up the manufacture of candies to some old en-
ployees who carry it on at another place. 1t is
almost days journey to go over thtur immense
establishment, which occupies an inlmtanse build
ing at the corner of Greenwich and Chambers
street, being six stories high. The moving pow
er OF the concern, is a splendid steam engine,
used for pumping the huge vacuum pans, and
hosting, lowering, turning crushing MUS, &c.
The whole is one OF the most complete and neat
Establishments of the kind to be found in the
country.
The wealth of the firm is estimated at not less
than $S,000,000. Alexander is the out door and
managing man, and is withal quite mechanic,
having introduced several very ingenious inven.
tions of his own in perfeoting the processes en-
ployed in the refining of sugars. Their care and
economy in the management of their business is
as great now as it was when their business was
in its infancy. In opening boxes of Havana su-
gars, every strip and piece of raw hide is care
fully preserved and sold to the glue Makers
The nails and boards are also carefully preserved
to be used over again, and nothing that can be
turned to account is wasted. Robert attends to
the in door financial department, bank business,
&c. They have no paper out to be hawked
through the streets. In 1867, during the panic,
some cargoes of sugars on the market, were Of
fered very low for cash. Alexander Stuart was
walking along the street and was importuned to
buy them. He finding they were to be had very
low purchased them. s. They came to $4,000;
and for which the money was needed at once.
The house had already drawn their check for
100000, in payment TOR another purchase and
which would be payable next day. However,
having the money at command, they also drew
the check for the $4,000, also payable on de-
mand making their payments in two days, reach
the sum of $4,000. And that, too, in the md
die of panic, when merchants were breaking
all around. They also purchase largely Tor cash
in Havana, and import their own sugars. They
also purchase freely Manila and Pernambuco
sugars in bags.
The two brothers are yet in the prime and
vigor of active manhood. They are both mar.
ried and neither have a child to inherit their i'm
mense wealth. They are both liberal and pub
lie spirited men. They built fine first class
house for their mother in 25th street near fifth
Avenue, and supplied it with every comfort and
with the best attendance She having many
wears survived her husband, and within year
or two since, followed him to the tomb. While
she lived one or the other OF her sons dined with
her every Sunday, and visited her in the week J