The New York herald., 1873-11-05
A. & w. sPRAGUE.
Latest Aspect of the Rhode
Island Crisis.
The Vacant Trusteeship Not Yet Filled--.Ex-Goy-
ernOr Smythe Has Not Declined To Serve
The Friends Of the Rival Houses.
Providence, r. l., Nov. 4, ls7a.

Inc FflcndS OF Inc Rival Houses.
PROVIDENCE, r. l., Nov. L. 1873.
No appointment has yet been made to I'LL the
trustee vacancy occasioned by the declination OF
Governor Howard, and will probably not be made
until the meeting OF the creditors, which takes
place Thursday. Ex-Governor James Y. Smythe,
OF the appointed trustees, has not declined as
reported last night, which fact viii be generally
gratifying on account OF his intimate knowledge OF
affairs. l called this evening at the ONCE OF
the Messrs. sprague to see If could obtain q
copy OF the deed, but was informed that
THE DEED,
not being fully executed yet could not be furnished.
! was told that the execution win not be made
until after the meeting, when the wishes OF the
creditors will have been manifested. 1t is the in
tentlon to present a form to the meeting
to know II there are any notifications or
alterations OF any nature desired, and 1t
is expected that committee OF the
creditors will be appointed to act together with
their attorney and the counsel for the Spragues In
the execution OF the deed, according to the desire
OF the meeting 1t Is impossible to foretell what
will be the result OF the creditors meeting. The ma
ture OF the deed win, doubtless, be very generally
discussed, and the matter OF trustees will, it is
highly probable, excite the greatest amount Of
discussion.
THE CRANsToN SAVINGS BANK
remains in stdtu quo and great anxiety Is mani
tested to know how the institution Will be fixed.
Though the Sprague organ here labors hard to
create the belief that everything connected with
the Sprague concern is sound and healthy there Is
still lurking suspicion in the minds OF the people
that all is not SO fine as represented. There s; no
doubt, more beneath the surface that yet remains
to be brought to light
A MEETING OF THE BOARD OF TRADE
was held here to-day, President James Y. Smythe in
the chair, and it was thought that something
would be said or done In regard to the Sprague
crisis, but there were no expressions in regard
to It, resolution was reported declaring the
opinion OF the Board to be that it is deemed ex-
pedient and desirable to open their rooms to the
public from twelve to two O'Clock p. NJ. OF each
day. and inviting all Who have stocks, merchandise
or lands for sale to offer the same during those
hours, hoping thereby to increase the efficiency
and secure the permanence OF the organization;
but the matter was postponed for one month.
Fne two Spragues, Amasa and William, are still
here, deeply engaged In the pending arrangement
OF affairs.
The Feuds Of the Spragues and Browns
Opinions OF Various MaSnates Of
Providence.
PROVIDENCE, R. l., Nov. 4 1878.
This is the time when the ancient feuds OF the
Spragues and the Browns are remembered and
talked over. One side would have 1t that the
Browns brought all this trouble on the Spragues
by tightening the screws upon them in stringent
money market The other side contend that the
Browns have not held dollar's worth OF the
| Sprague paper in ten years. and that in place of
| throwing embarrassments in the way they have
\ actually advanced q sum OF $150,0o0 to the
Spragues, when the latter applied Tor a loan to
| prav fanO
native OF this town or OF this State ventures
on any public criticism OF either the Browns or the
Spragues. There is no moral courage In the CON-
munty. In the shadow OF wealth whatever little
independence of spirit they may have is withered
| up. Rhode Islanders love the almighty dollar.
| they have profound esteem for the owner OF half
| milon; they are lost IN awe and admiration Of
| the possessor or million, and they fall down and
worship and are ready to perform any savish
| thing for the man who can boast or millions in the
plural. The Browns have their crowd OF servile
toadies and nangers-on, and SO have the Spragues.
1t is this wretched class who live by the drppings
Of wealth, that may be held responsible for
THE PEUDs OF THE TWO HOUSES.
| They work chiefly by inuendo. 1t IS now the turn
OF those who think they are on the right track to
crafty the Browns to insinuate everything that
may tend to the discredir OF the spragues. That
the two houses still antagoniZed Is every way
| true II they were friendly terms nothing
| would be easier for the Browns than to come for
with seven n OF egd millions = and ona ns,p @ the
| them nothing. On the contrary, IL would prove to
the Browns profitable speculation. They have
all the money lying idle that the Spragues are now
in need of but, high toned and blueblooded as the
Browns would fain appear, to the generation in
nimity to undertake step like this. Revenge Is
sweet to fallen human nature, and If the Browns
dainty gratifed at the spectacle OF their enemy
hopelessly involved in the tolls OF financial panic.
| A STRANGE STORY.
/ There was story that the Browns, on first hear
! ing OF the troubles in the rival house, sent for
Senator spragae and promised him II ne resigned
and threw his influence at the proper time In favor
OF the election OF Mr. William Goddard "a member
| OF the Brown tribe) to the United States Senate,
they would help him with all the resources at their
command. If he failed to comply with these terms
they threatened to assume an attitude OF indiiier-
ence that would work as disastrousy to the credit
| OF the Spragues as one Of active hostility
| Mr.. william Sprague did resign his position as
| head OF the house: but the story, without any
other color OF confirmation, may be taken for
called yesterday at the substantial mansion of
Mr. Robert Ives, who is the partner OF Brown.
Mr. Ives walked into the parlor shortly after my
| entrance, and Judging from certain air of
| severity in the expression OF his face, concluded
he was little disposed to talk on the matter con-
sion was correct, and the impression left by the
few emphatic replies OF Mr. Ives was that
| THE HOUSE OF BROWN
cares less than continental what becomes OF the
spragues. ,n,o ;, ,.u,~s a.,
what might be your opinion, = l INQUIRED, "oi
the that led to this failure OF the SpraguesS'
.T have no opinion" answered Mr. Ives, with
| q rigid gravity OF face. al know nothing of the
case. have given IL no attention.
1t sounded strange that failure OF such magni-
| tude, which shook the State OF Rhode Island from
centre to periphery, should have failed to attract
passing notice even from the naughty house or
| Brown Ives.
"wi this failure entail much distress on the
class OF working peoplesn asked as a parting In
| quiry.
opinionr replied Mr.. Ives with the same dyspep-
| tic indifference. and then went away satisfied
that the airy young Hotspur OF the United states
senate turned the current OF his ns0lent criticism
In the wrong direction when he directed 1t against
| the house OF Brown Ives. They are q quiet peo-