Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-09-15
PRAISE FOR BANKS
Banquet at Chicago to the Cur
rency Comptroller,
HOTALKs THE STATE OF TRADE

The Clouds of Depression Lifting and
Good Times Coming on Apace-words
OF Commendation for the Banks, Which
the Speaker Declares Represent the
Opinions of the People-Why He is and
Has Been an Optimist.
CHICAGO, Sept. 15.-Around banquet
board that was shaped like a horseshoe.
emblematic of thetgood luck that attended
Chicago during the panicky days of July,
gathered the bankers of Chicago to do
honor to their guest, Comptroller James II.
Eckels. The feast was spread in the ladies'
ordinary of the Grand Pacific hotel, and
the white linen was relieved by clusters OF
red roses and festoons of smilax. Around
the table sat the financiers of Chicago In
the center of the outer rim of the horse
shoe, by the side of Lyman j. Gage, was
the youthful comptroller of the currency
of the United States. Boyish in build, his
small, spare form and his beardless face
were in striking contrast with the stall
wart men around him. Fifty of Chicago's
leading bankers sat the board.
The Comptroller Returns Thanks.
When justice had been done to the elab-
crate dinner Mr.. Eckels was introduced,
and after few graceful words of thanks
for the hospitality shown HIM he said: II
am grateful not alone for this evidence of
interest in me, but because throughout
the trying times of the months since un-
dertaklng the duties of the comptroller's
Office have known and felt that in each
effort put forth to maintain the credit of
the banks and make more sure the finan-
cial stability of the country | have had
your hearty cooperation and sincere sup
port. Under the heavy burdens of great
expenditures made necessary by the evolu-
tlon OF your marvellous fair-which is in
deed Worlds fair-you have yet main
talned such financial standing as not
alone has drawn to you the admiration of
the people here and elsewhere, but has
been of inestimnble valua in preventing
widespread disaster
Reports an Encouraging Outlook.
"One of the great dailies of New York. in
the Introductory to an account of din
ner there given two months since, at which
l had the honor to be the guest, said:
Amid the crashing and topping of west
ern banks, the bankers of New York. Re
publicans and Democrats alike, met last
SNSlilliS anu gave pTtSSlOu 10 Jlelr IAlLn
in the financial stability of our country 1t
cannot but he a source of natural congrat-
ulation that the gathering of tonight is
under other and different circumstances.
The disasters then threatening, happily
for us all, have passed away. No longer
banks are suspending and factories closing.
but instead reopenings are the order of the
day, and whirring spindies and smoking
forges are furnishing labor for the army
of unemployed ,"
Even the Scared Dcpositor Eeassurred.
"Affrighted depositors, realizing that
they had done themselves an injury and
feeling that the thousands of banking
institutions which they suddenly and
without cause doubted are yet as solvent
as in the years of their implicit confidence
IN them, are returning their money that
1t may no longer lie i'll wasteful idleness.
but again entering the channels of trade
give life to deadened industries. On
every hand is evidence of better condition.
so marked that he who runs NAV read.
If there yet be here and there some
doubling Thomas let him but know that
the mills of New England are again being
put in operation; the fires in the furnaces
of Pennsylvania relighted, and the facto-
ries throughout the country becoming
the hives of busy industry-and even he
must no longer doubt.
Only Waiting for the Senate.
THE paralysis of fear which so insidi-
ously came upon the people is surely
leaving them. 1t yielded to degree when
the president called in extra session con-
gress to repeal the eliminating cause
the Sherman Silver Act The advance
has been marvellous since the heroic treat
ment accorded in the house of representa-
tiyes, and the recovery will be complete
when the senate under the coercive force
of public opinion confirms the action of
the house.
aAIr,r,rnn r-,., on,--,o,n..,