The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1868-04-04
SAN FRANCISCO CORRESPONDENCE.


nuuerous riding partics, zni similar excursions, al
though our advantages for such enjoyments are limit
Ell. the barren sandhills by which our city Is sur
rOandod. MT being sufficiently attractive to justify a
bOastful spirit, and in which respect san Francisco
appears in a most unf,vorable light
Stock Excitement.
Surprisig fluctuations nfrequently occur in mining
stocks, and the uncertainty Of speculating in them
becomes every day more apparent. 1t is true. large
fortunes have been made, chance having much to do
with the matter, and rascality more, but it is equally
true that larger fortunes have been lost. As an illus
tration of the excitement to which spectators are liza
bic, l will give a short account of recent transactions
in Hale and Norcross" stock, which was selling
three months since for 800 4 foot. but had previous
ly reached q much higher figure. a few weeks ago,
two wealthy factions, the Bank of California on one
side, and capitalists represented by Low Bros. on the
other. commenced buying the stock that they might
control the election VI Il Board of Directors, and thus
secure the crushing and grinding of the rock, which
is very profitable The great demand for the stock
caused it TO rise rapidly. On the llth February, it
sold for $1,000 a foot, but at the same session of the
Board of Brokers, was offered for $500, seller As
that is, Spectators, confident of a fall, agreed to de
liver il at their olra option within 40 days, and
charge $500. The stock went up, until no less than
S2O,250 n foot was offered for it, the highest price
ever reached by mining shares. Then it was quiet
until after the election on the 18th of March, when it
collapsed to S270o. a price based upon its real value
us an investment. The Bank of California succeeded
in electing it, board, and will control its operations.
Wanted a Candidate.
\ just appreciation of the cosmopolitan character
Of the Democratic Party will readily illustrate the
difficulty attending the efforts of its leaders to select
a candidate for the Presidency. Representing every
] Il. a III. III. g.. Al. go, II. -.
sionist and sneaking copperhead to the ~well-mean-
ing and honest w~ar-demOcrat (who considered the
war just, but who is opposed to the present Con-
gress,) and between whom compromises must he
made,-its numbers augmented by immigrants from
every section of the globe, all presenting demands
worthy consideration, it is not surprising that great
difficulty is anticipated in making the choice of fitting
leader for the suiirages of the party. But when select
ell, the ranks will consolidate it matters not how
fierce the struggle Of the factions for supremacy, or
how bitter the luminosity arising t~herefrom, harmony
will reign supreme, and IA united phalanx will enter
the contest. Unuke their opponents, the popular
voice of the party does not dictate the nomination of
some favored man, but each section, the Pacific coast
included, presents its claim and selected aspirant.
AT present, speculation upon the probable candidate
is useless.
A Distinguished Lawsuit.
\ prolonged trial, of a peculiar and interesting
nature, has just been concluded in the Fourth Dis
trict Court, of this city. The suit was instituted by
u Russian noble, Prince u. Maksontof, Agent of the
Russian American Company, against a Polish gentle
man, Adolph Smieiburg, the charges being, in
brief, that the latter, while in Sitka, some months
ago, by false representations of his resources and
wealth., succeeded in obtaining possession of the bark
CcsdTaVifeh, and Il large quantity of fish. Aside
F.. - - Ill ..... - n. ,l.,,,,y
the defendant, Smiedburg, is a man of culture, re-
presented as belonging TO IA high family, but an adj
venturer in the strongest sense of the terminating
engaged in mercantile speculations in every part OF
the world, a rowing disposition leading him toOur new
territory. This suit is the first that has been insti-
tuted since our acquisition of Alasks,-which attaches
To it n special Importance. The case for the Prince
was conducted by Messrs Nathan Porter and Alex.
Campbell, the defence by Mr.. Hall McAllister-three
eminent layers. After n fine display of forensic abb
lity, the jury rendered a verdict for plaintiffs, thus
investing Smiedburg with the odium of the charge.
The case may go to the Supreme Court
The First Victory.
The recent election in New Hampshire, which &C
currel upon the 1lth inst, resulting in the entire sue
cess of the Republican ticket, has caused hearty rejoi-
cling among the Union Party. This victory is a good
omen that the prospects Of the party for the coming pre-
sidential campaign are bright and promising. PAIN
fully sensible, from the experience of the last few
months, of the uncertainty of political elections, and
fearful OF the great reaction which the Democracy
claim the country is now experiencing, (and upon
which they base their hopes for the future.) n deep
solicitude was felt as to the course New Hampshire
would pursue. The campaign was prosecuted with
the utmost yigor, eminent statesmen from all parts of
the country participating, and the issue was n direct
one between Congress and the Executive-the former
proving triumphant. A State election will soon Oc-
cur in Connecticut, - the lands of unsteady political
habits but Republicans here are not ~singuine as TO
the result.
A Noteworthy Charity.
For some time an enterprise has been on foot for
the purpose Of providing n hospital for poor and des-
titute women, to lie managed by their own sex, where
medical attendance and medicine would be furnished
them, without remuneration, the institution TO be
by charity. \ few days ago, several No.
Reminded women inaugurated measures to that eff
fec., which have proved successful. \ subscription
list was circulated, and the SUN of $1,000 realized,
with which u fine house, in an elevated and healthy
was procured and properly furnished, and
probably lie ready for use upon the first Of April.
by their energy and perseverance in this matter, the
ladies' of this city have taken a step which will tend
towards dissipating the idea that frivolity and kin
drel features were the markell traits Of female char
acter in this city. Ii will be a monument alike cred
to san Francisco and an honor to themselves.
Legislative.
The Assembly, or lower house, of the State of CAL
controlled by Democrats, recently passed res
buttons denouncing the Congress of the United
States, for passing the impeachment resolutions, and
sustaining the Pr~esident-whch the Governor imme-
lately transmitted by telegraph to the Speaker of the
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