The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-11
OBITUARY.
RICHARD SCHELL.


point OF death for several days. quietly passed away
shortly before noon yesterday. His end was peace
fni ana painless. Surrounding his bedside were the
members OF his family and few Intimate personal
friends. Mr. schelrs fatal malady compiled
ton of diseases. based upon kidney troubles which,
in their early stages. indicted upon the patient
cruciating pain. During the last few days of his
illness there was al absence Of suffering.
Richard schel was tho eldest of four brothers
three OF whom have been prominent in the public eye
for many years-Ausustus. the we'll known politician
ana formerly Collector OF the Ports Edward. presi-
dent of the Manhattan Savings Bank. and Richard.
who made greenback speeches and endeavored to
convert the country to his peculiar theories OF
finance Richard WAS q native Of this State, and one
OF Its most original thinkers. He had lived in this
city nearly half u century and was familiar with
its progress aud growth. He was firm believer in
tho real estate values OF the metropolis aud
looked forward to the time when the Bat
terry. State street and Whitehall street should
AGAIN became . fashionable part of the city. He
WAS particularly fond OF talking, and no audience,
however large or small. ever called him unnterest-
ing or stupid. No man moro extensively
known to the political and financial magnates OF
the past forty years. aud his high animal spirits
and psculiariy oH-hand jolity insured him cordial
welcome Ut all times aud in every place. In 1895 Mr..
Srhell did large dry goods business Pearl street.
near Burling slip. and generally believed to be
successful merchant. He tailed. however, and en-
tered the cxctements of Wall street in lS40 Since
that time he has boon Of the insiders. intimate
with all the large operators and well posted in most
OF the great movements in stocks. He was
daring operator himself, and made aud lost
fortunes every year. Mr.. Schell believed in helping
other people. and when al open Board OF brokers
was suggested he took active part in its organi-
zaton aud gave to it the benefit Of his experience and
the reputation Of his He adhered to the for
tunes Of the open board until 1850, ut which time
that organization closed its books. and. like many
others. Mr. Schell Joined the regular board. His
successful negotiation Of large loan ut the time Of
the Mexican war brought his name still moro
prominently before the public. He had pecu-
liar Vows on general aaairs at home and
abroad. and never hesitated to express
them. On recent occasion he said:-"Our
old great mon were brought up and had grown
to greatness upon the slavery basis. Had
they lived now they would not have been
worth row Of pins. The new state of affairs re-
quires new brains and . new sort Of intellectual
magnitude. When the time comes such new
will come forward. and this great country and its
great people will he the arbitor and master OF the
whole world. You understand what mean,
sir? We have in this country more natural wealth,
intelligence. and energy than could be needed to
handle the rest OF the globe just we please.
Talk about our administrative corruptioni What
nonsense that isl Read Leckys History Of Eng
land in the Eighteenth Century You will
find that there was moro bribery and corruption in
the British Parliament than we dreamed OF.
And 1t did only good to England in the long run.
The resumption mania is the only thing
that retard prOgross Icannot get it through
my head that great country like this should take
tor the basis OF her wealth commodity OF which
there are only $1l00.0O0,0 900 worth in the whole
world. Why. we have nearly one-tenth of that sum
invested in common school property III this State
whole nation beaD sSan
piece OF gold coin the value of which can at any
time be- deprecated By the ans1Sial
field is not ut for his post He acts like a
fool. II had been in his place would have taken
line from st. Petersburg to Odessa and said to
Bismarck and Andrassv. Look here. If You 20 with
would see how quick they would take to it. and
there would not have been left of the Rus
sian armies. These provinces arc very valuable:
Doth Austria and Prussia would be most happy to
have thein. This is the only way to put Russia in
should be the duty OF every European statesman.
With US things are quite different from what they
sound financial policy. Tho city and county ex-
pcnses should be cut down much possible,
should be- tensoa TS" oty Of Ns %er
has. for instance, some twentyfour millions OF
deots These should be paid by tho federal Treasury
It would give I'M immense impetus to the business OF
the city. Everybody would grow rich, live we'll. and
spend money freely. The same is true with
reference to almost every city and county through
out the Union. These debts are national debts
and ought to be paid out Of the national Treasury.
spend at least 500 ON it, Let canals and inn
provements Of all kinds be made there, they do 1t
In Europe. and the South will become as great and
prosperous . country you have ever seen. Look
how the Napoleons have benefited France through q
similar policy. Napoleon l. was just as much an adj
ministrative and financial genius as he was q mill
tary one. He laid the cornor stone of French pros
perity. Napoleon Ill, too. has done great deal.
lous what he has done with thsm2 Now. our trouble
is that wo have no such men yet.
appear. and then. tell you. You will be
surprised to what wonderful country this is.
Nobody has any idea OF It yet. 80 Here is a
subject for your paper to work ut. Why don't your
folks take 1t up bring 1t up in proper shape before
the people. and make of it programme Of great
national policy? You would have . circulation Of
800. 900 copies in less than six months"
why don't you do II yourself. Mr.. schell2' he
was asked lyon could lind enough facilities for
bringing all these questions before the country"
IL don't do It. rctorted he. with slight touch Of
anger "oecauso don't propose to go on the top of
clever man than anybody else. The secret of my
popularity among my friends is that never try to
reform any OF them. havo not thu timo for such u
kind OF work. have other business to attend to,
aud IL have an hour OF leisure I'd rather spend ii
in reading good book than In vain attempts to
cultivate tho minds OF people who brought up In
certain SGT Of ideas aud cannot get out OF them
"Unclo Dick" as he was familiarity called, Al
ways fond OF politics. In 1867 he was elected state
Senator over the Native American and republican
candidate. and In his district congregated
mon OF wealth than in any half dozen districts
binod. He spoke very little. but discharged the
dutos OF his Office with dignity and tho satisfac-
ton OF hts colleagues aud constituents In 1874 no
was sent to Congress for the short term. and
frequently spoken of in late years as probable
candidate OF tho greenback party for the Governor
ship. 1t will be remembered that in 1876 tho green
back party presented the nsmo of Peter Cooper AZ
its Presidential candidate. At that time the nomHa-
ton was rendered to Mr.. Schell, but although no
was ready to give time and influence and money In
aid Of the greenback policy. he concluded that the
thsn his own. and he gave way to him. II liz doubt
full II the death OF any member of the Union Club
or the Manhattan Club, to both OF which, we'll as
the st. Nicholas Society Mr. Scholl belonged. could
more seriously affect the geniaty Of its atmosphere
than Will the death OF this jovial open hearted gen.
teman. He was invariably the ifo of his circle.
He was quick wttcd. kind hearted and open handed.
Socially Mr.. Schell was one Of tho most popu-
lar and most hospitabe of men. lie lived for many
years In Twonty-secoDd street, nearly opposite tho
residence OF the late Judge Barnard and between the
two existed very warm and lasting friendship.
Until very recently he enioycd perfect health and