The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-12-08
BR0ADBRIM'S NEW YORK LETTER.


BANKS AND INSURANCE COMPANIES; RE-
VARIABLE SUICIDES; BABY SHOW, sc.
AS first class sensation we have had
nothing equal to the sentencing of Robert
l.. Case, for a number of weeks. Up to
the very last moment of the argument on
the motion for new trial almost every
body appeared to think that something
would intervene that would save the ac-
cused from the penalty of his offence; the
wealth, and power, and influence that sur
rounded him seemed more than a match
for the stern ma iesty of the law: but when
Judge Davis had finished his opening re-
mark, it was evident to the prisoner and
his friends that they were leaning on a
broken reed, and the tears fell thick and
fast from the prisoner his wife, and his
daughters as the judge pronounced tho
sentence which consignes him to States
prison for five years. And SO ends the
most remarkable perjury case ever tried in
America. An old man, rich. honored, re-
spected, having almost completed the
allotted term of man, three score and ten,
leader in church, superintendent in
Sunday school, will in all human probable
ity end his life in State prison. 1t is sad
enough to such life, but terrible warn
ing to those who have been tampering with
the sacredness of an oath The sentence
has produced a general flutter in life insur-
ance circles, presidents and secretaries
are setting their households in order and
are looking anxiously into each others face
and are asking who will be next.
Now for the savings banks: forty three
savings banks have failed in the United
States in the last year carrying down in
their ruin over thirty millions of dollars;
this money represents the savings of several
thousands depositors, in sums from one
dollar to five thousand and most of it the
result of hard labor and pinching economy.
Respectable robbers living in splendid
houses, with retinues of servants, yachts,
and country houses: men who have spent
their Summers at Saratoga. Newport, and
Long Branch, who have held their heads
high, and who have dictated our financial
policy, it is men of this class who are now
found to be the most fragrant of periurers
and the meanest of all petty robbers.
Two notable cases occurred some time
ago in the city of Brooklyn, one was presi-
dent of one of the best banks in the city,
no man stood higher in the community
than this man of great leputed wealth. of
large charity, living in princely style, but
not all beyond his reputed means; churches,
Sunday schools and benevolent associations
were his especial care and he figured largely
on the subscription list of home and foreign
missions. One morning an accident
occurred on the Long Island Road
he was killed, and this paragon was discov-
cred to be forger and thief which the
accident collision of railroad train had
saved from wearing the striped suit of a
convict.
Another bank president in the same city
was man universally respected and loved,
gentleman of pleasant manners, of liberal
and generous hospitality. His integrity
was never suspected; but after long life
of fraud and deceit, of deception so cleverly
carried out that his character as a banker
and Christian was held up as a model and
guide, the meshes began to close around
him: then come one of the most desperate
struggles ever endured by mortal man;
under calm and placid exterior burned a
volcano which was hourly eating at his
heart--no sign, no token appeared upon the
surface, but day after day, and month after
month, the terrible battle went on till the
grave lost its terror and death itself seemed
like boon. One pleasant Summer after
noon while the bathers at Coney Island
were disporting themselves in the surf,
and thousands of people were enjoying the
ocean breeze along the beach, the cry was
raised that a man was drowning; with
desperate energy he dashed into the breakers
which time after time swept him back
towards the shore, he fought the waves
with the madness of manic, and at last the
undertow caught him and drew him out to
sea. Next morning just as the sun was
rising beautiful and clear, the sea gave up
its dead, and there on the white sand lay
all that was mortal of the proud bank presi-
Il hn tha 1au hnr inI
suicides grave. The entire community
was shocked at the terrible revelations of
his life, and the miserable manner of his
death, and example like these joined with
those of the week just past, and still to
be strengthened by a number of trials to
come will make these hypocriteS realize in
time that the way of the transgressor is
hard.
We are going to have an overhaul of our
savings banks. There are plenty of small
concerns in town and villages conducted
after the manner of close corporation,
where few old fogies with sanctimonious
titles have absorbed the savings of an en-
tire community, and as long as they pay
their five per cent. the depositors consider
it safe; in a multitude of instances if they
were to call for their principal the answer
would be that of jim Fisk to the Congress
sional committee-"It gone where the
woodbne twineth."
On Saturday last, the treasurer of the
New Rochelle Savings Bank came into one
of our city papers and entered a savage re-
moustrance at some doubts which that
paper had cast upon Its solvency; the paper
Immediately published retraction, and
that night the treasurer showed the United
States the full front of his back, and left
the ruined depositors of the bank to whis-
tie for his return. We have in our States
prisons now seven bank cashiers, three
bank presidents, two presidents of insur-
ance companies, and before we get through
with this savings bank and insurance bust
ness We expect to have enough to make
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