The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-08-21
LETTER FROM NEW YORK.

LETTER FROM NEW YORK.
STRUCTURES ON GRANT-THE CURRENcY-THE cohb'
STONE BRoKERs-aoLD ASSOCIATED Press
TRADE-THE WORKING CI.AssEs-A NAN WHO CAN
KEEP HOTEL.
FRENcH's HOTEL,
NEW YORK, August Is.
A number Of the radical papers OF the interior
ore very severe in their strictures on Gen. GRANT
for consenting to discharge the duties OF the war
Bureau, and construe it into an open alliance with
the President. The more sensible and influential
organs prudently avoid any harsh reference to the
subject seeing in its discussion nothing but ten
dency to disintegrate the organization.
The currency question continues to disturb the
fnanoiers, and affords prolific theme for con-
slant amphfcation in the money columns OF the
leading journals. Some favor the issue OF legal
tenders in sums sufficient to meet the maturing
interest, reserving the gold as basis for early re-
turn to specie payments. The Tribune says III
Mr.. MCCULLOUGH would regain the coincidence OF
the solvent part Of the community, let him des-
troy 81, ,OOO, 900 Of legal tenders per month. Inc
policy pursued fills the avenues Of the commercial
centres with crowds Of speoulstors 80 denfe as to
drive pedestrians from the sidewalks" This ls On
alluson to the throngs Of "curbstone brokers, VINO
collect every afternoon in Broad st., and biock up
the walk for hours. The jargon OF strange phrases
is very amusing to a novice. One cries out i OF
fer 1000 Eries," another sings out "seventy,
another Quarter" another wants 'old southern,
and another offers ssMariposa" and in the confusion
Of varieties offered, sometimes reaching one or
l l. ~ {ho initiated cannot
| tell buyer from seller. The curbstone operators
present quite youthful and democratic appear
ance. The scene was varied an evening or two
ago by knocking off the hat Of one Of the opera
tives who was evidently deep in tsold mononga-
hela" This was followed by lively rally on tlles'
| in which number of heads were exposed to the
evening sun. This is perhaps; not usual Incl. !.
dent Of the scene, but it did ndsdstnrb the lively
course Of trade, which was kept up until nearly
dark. But this noisy throng is Quaker meeting
| compared to the babel Of the; gold board No
visitor to Gotham should fal TO stroll down 70
the Gold Room and witness the whir OF excite
ment which prevails among the money changers
compared to which MnToN's view OF chaos is
tame and insipid.
You have doubtless heard Of the threatened dis
ruption Of the Associated Press. am assured
that Mr.. BENNETT has positively determined to
sever his connection with that organization; and
an evening paper to-day announces that q new
company has been formed, which proposes to en-
ter the field soon with complete facilities for serv-
ing the press Of the country on just and equitable
principles. The Journal Of Commerce, o few days
ago, ventured q defence Of the Associated Press
against the charge Of specializing in news. To
this defence the evening paper referred to re-
spends in Q long article giving an eabosste state
ment of the cost OF news, and the amount realised
on its sale by the Associated Press. It is hardly
necessary to produce these figures to convince
Southern journalists Of the onerous eIacons OF this
pampered news monopoly. change is demanded;
and it is gratifying to be assured that 1t fs likely to
be made speedily. There is more in this movement
than am at liberty to divulge at present. But
| the opinion prevails among the knowing ones that
the Associated Press is about to find rival TINT
| cannot be distanced or forestslled. -
Trade shows some signs Of Improvement this
week, though it is still remarkably dull for the
season, and apprehensions Of breakers ahead are
ssgely. whispered by the knowing ones. The re-
cepts of dry goods at this port have hllan of
$40, O,O0O for tho month Of July, compared to
last year, but other imports are about equal 70
those Of the corresponding month in 1885. The
exports for July were GA, ,5a8eCO, OF which 81,
Os6 900 wAs specie, against 9,0s6Q0o in July laat
year Of which &, $40 600 was specie. Thus it srt
pears that we aae buying very largely in e1esss Of
what We have to sell.
The hbor question is one Of great interest here.
The e1actions Of landlords, and general increase
in the cost Of living, have rendered large in
crease Of wages necessary. to accomplish which,
almost every pursuit has Q protective union
society. Having found the extent Of their power,
they are constantly making new demands Of their
employers, who complain bitterly that they can
not carry on business in the face Of dull trade and
general stagnation, with these e1actions forced
| upon them. New hands cannot be employed bS-
cause most Of the aboring classes are members of
these unions, and IL they are not, few dare 20 ~
sist their demands. Averj bid feeling exists be-
tween the employers and ish bring classes, which,
it is constantly feared, may end in serious dis
turbance, Strikes are Of almost everyday occur
renee and cooperative establishments Of every
kind are being inaugurated. The journeymen
printers have recently started job Office, and are
said to be doing well. Such companies, II well
managed, save to the working men, the profit
which has been realized by their employers, and
will distribute the fortunes usually realized by
competent contractors, among those best entitled
to them. Salaries or wages are not adequate to
the support OF those who have families, be-
ing for the great mass Of mechanics and clerks
from $18 to $6 week. First class men IN large
houses Of course get more. Provisions and gsne-
raj expenses are about as high as at the South.
The poor sewing women are most inadequately
paid. There are thousandstof widows or wives Of
helpless or worthless men, whose support is
derived from needle work, for which not more
than IS to 81 week are realized, and often
even less. With this there is rent, say 81 30
bread, two losves . day 81 40 per week; potatoes
81 90; meat 81 90 lights Is cents; coal so cents
not to mention clothing, doctors bills, or lost time
Hard indeed is tho lot Of the poor in this great
metropolis; and yet thousands cling to the city, IN
the hope Of doing better after awhile. At present
there are thousands here from the South, seeking
employment; and I cannot better serve all who
contemplate coming here, than to advise them to
stay where they are at least not to come to the
large Northern cities. The impression prevails
here that the South must speedily become the
most prosperous portion Of the country. 1.-THE
political problems which now threaten the lpeace
of society, can be amicably solved, there is no
doubt of the speedy attainment Of condition OF
prosperity.
A sojourn Of few weeks here affords many use
full lessons in the art Of comfortable living, and
cannot better serve your travelling readers than to
give them the result Of my experience Men OF
business viii find great advantage in taking aroom
at some hotel, kept on the European plan, at
which they can also get their meals at any hour,
paying only for what they order, whereas at other
hotels bills run on from the time the name is re-
gistered. French's Hotel, from which write, is