Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-10-02
WEDNESDAY. OCTOBER 2, 1861.
speculation.

speculation.
The Union and Americqr and the Gazette
very properly denounce the combination
which has been made by dealers in Cumber
land coal in this city, to extort from our cit
liens high prices for their coal. Last spring
they filled their yards, the supply being suffi-
ciant to meet the demand for home cOnsump-
tiou during the ensuing winter. During the
summer months they were selling at 20 aud
25 cents per bushel; but knowing that the
embargo placed on trade and commerce by
the usurpers at Washington, would prevent
any additions being made to the stock on
hand, they contemplated, it appears, even
at that time, Il scale of prices of an extOr-
tionate character. With little showing of
conscience. however, they held off, making
but slight advance until last Friday, the
weather having assumed a wiuterish frigidity,
they boldly compelled the buyer to pay 30
and 40 cents, and, when complaint was made,
very kindly replied that the price would go
higher yet This was consoling, indeed, to
people whose purses have been depleted by
destruction of business consequent upon the
try. There is no valid excuse for the impo-
sition Of the prices asked. AT 20 and 25
cents per bushel, with the usual stealage in
the way of short measure, coal pays ample
profits. Dealers generally jump at the op-
portunity to sell at these figures. But now,
finding they have a monopoly, their cupidity
and avarice cause them to victimize their
customers without remOrse.
The Banner condemns speculation in silver
change. But short time ago, silver change,
like swallows, was plentiful; but recently,
like the same bird, it has disappeared-the
most of it, at any rate. Business men who
formerly paid it out, now take 1t in only, and
that is the last OF it. Our neighbor init
mates that it is sold by them TO brokers, who
shave those who come to buy it of them. The
scarcity of change Is a source of considera-
Bile annoy ance and vexation, especially to
housekeepers. But we see no remedy tor it
at present So long as The spirit of specula-
ton is rife-untiI it is frowned down by an
outraged people, and those who take advan-
tage of the times to gouge, are made to feel
a necessity for changing their course, we must
submit to a shave when we want bank notes
broken If brokers had sufficient love of
country and sympathy with their fellow citi-
gems to deny themselves the profits on
change, the trouble would soon be at an
end.
A correspondent tells US that he was graf
fled beyond measure when he read the elo-
uuent appeal of our patriotic Governor to
the women of Tennessee, to manufacture
linseys jeans, Sc, to clothe the soldiers the
ensuing winter. He looked for the response
on the part of our fair country-wOmen with
hope, believing that through the instrument
tally Of their labors, the soldier would be
we'll and comfortably clothed. But he says
he has been disappointed. The women of the
State have performed their part eheerfully; |
but the goods which they manufactured |
have, the most of them, got into the hands |
of the merchant, and are held at ruinous |
prices Their noble aud generous impulses |
have thus been made to subserVe the specula- |
tor, and to enrich him at the expense Of the |
soldier and his friend.
The wheat crop was most abundant in all
the States of the Southern Confederation. II
has been estimated as large enough to sup
ply the demand for -four long after another
crop shall have been harvested. The price
of the grain is consequently low, and it is
believed that millers generally have made
contracts at these prices for future delivery,
extensive enough to give their mills constant
employment. Yet the price of -four is gra-
duaIIy going up And, we understand, some
of our mOnied men, not satisfied with the
profits of other speculatiOns. have now turned
their attention to -four, and conspired tOgeth-
er to get possession OF all that can be thrown
into market for some months to come, and
when they have done thi~. put up prices, and
thus force the consumer 10 contribute to their
gains. We trust this speculation will not
be carried out. Cur people are patient and
long suffering. They have borne much, and
can bear more; but there is point beyond
which they cannot be carried in submission.
III pressed much further, they will turn and
rend those who take advantage of their mis-
fortunes to speculate upon their necessities.
We have written the above, hoping that
we might do something to check the mania
for Observation-Disclosures peculation-which
rules the hour. 1t Is with sorrow that we
admit its presence il our city; but there is
no shutting our eyes to the facts We learn
that it is injuring the character of Nashville
abroad making her enemies amongst former
friends. So bitter is this hostility in some
quarters, gentleman from the country in
forms US he has heard men declare that they
would not raise finger to defend Nashville,
IL the enemy were here pointing his cannOns
at our doors Let US hope that speculation
will be stopped before the wrongs and hatred
of the oppressed eliminate in scenes which
all wOuld remember with regret and shame.