National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1884-05-19
MIR. sENEY ON SPECULATION.
The Man Who Wins Is Saint and the
One Who Loses n scoundreI.


Ono Who Loses n scOundrel.
Tho failure of the Atlantic State Bank of
Brooklyn. of which Mr.. George l. Seney is
chief owner. to resume payment gives sub
stance TO the rumors that in settling with tho
Metropolitan bank Mr. Seney omerges from
that field of gigantic operations, stripped of
much, if not oil, of his property. On Satur-
day deeds were filed that took from Mr.
Seney his splendid Brooklyn residence, the
former residence of J. S. Rockwell, tho mil
lionaire leather merchant, and also his former
7res idence in Rcmsen street. A fatality pur-
sues the occupants Of the Rockwell mansion.
The builder and first owner, Mr.. Rockwell,
found that the sanitary experiments ended
in making it vent TO sewer gases, which
carried away his grandchild, and suisse
quently he died from the same cause. His
widow died last year, and Mr. Seney pur-
chased tho house, adding to it a gallery for
his numerous art treasures.
The deed which conveys this house to the
Metropolitan bank mentions $4,000 as the
consideration. Tho house has frontage of
Gs feet on Montague terrace, and extends
along Montague street 200 feet. The grounds
are broken by beautiful terrace, and there
Is private staircase from tho steps leading
up to the bridge over tho tunnel, which en-
abled Mr.. Seney on hot days to enter his
house without tho fatigue Of mounting all the
steps,
Mr.. Seney has fortune invested in paint
ings, to which he is much attached These
may BIO spared in the financial disaster, but
their retention by him is doubtful. He
bought the Rockwell mansion on June 12 1888
deed was also filed Saturday conveying
Dir. Seney's former home in Remson street
between Clinton and Henry, to the new
president Of the Metropolitan bank, Henry
l.. Jacques, for $4,000 The other recent
conveyance of property with the above
show that Mr.. Seney has parted with real
estate valued in all Mt b2S9,0JO, In settling up
1t the Metropolitan, tho securities of Mr..
Beney's various railroad enterprises were
marked down so much that 10 has apparently
Aken nearly all of his private fortune to put
tho bank in position to resume. Mr..
Seney is in robust health, and his money
making power has been SO great that his
friends believe he will ultimately get upon
his feet again and take rank as million
Airc.
Mr.. Seney said to reporter 'The suspen.
sion of the Metropolitan bank was certainly
duo in large part TO the attacks upon it and
me which have come from all quarters Just
at the moment when money was the highest
a report WIS spread, and appare ltly believed
of my being interested largely in gigantic aud
risky real estate speculNtions ia northern
Alabama. There was no truth in the report,
for never had dollar in any such scheme,
but II was enough, nevertheless, TO rob the
bank of its heaviest depositOrs at time
when 1t could least afford it,
ITO what extent" was asked, edo you AT
tribute the failure of tho bank to speGua-
lions in which you NAV have boon enga ed ?"
Il think just this A man who speouatos
successfully is saint, aud every one will swear
by him., a man who speculate5 aud loses Is
scoundrol and If people could think Of any
thing worse to call him they'd do it. Th.t is
OIL have TO say on that subject. Take tnis
Ward business, for example. don't call that
speoulating but still lot us suppose that Dy
some blind stroke Of luck Ward had made
twenty millions. Who're would ho be-
now2 keen aud scrupulou5 man Of business
aud rising fnancier. On a busted man IS
life r a very gay one"
Tell him about the dynamite" suggested
q friend.
"Oh yes" said Mr.. seney. IT almost for.
got that in tho midst of moro exciting
things I'm to DO blown up with dynamite,
and SO are my house aud family. gentle.
man wrote me to-day perfectly serious lot.
ter, in which he said he had just returned
from the country. and would soon bo around