1837-09-16—New York Herald—Rascality

Latest revision as of 19:33, 29 November 2024

[edit] Rascality

New York Herald, September 16, 1837, p. 2

Rascality.— Yesterday afternoon the following cases came under the cognizance of the police Magistrates, which, we regret to say, they cannot take hold of, and punish the offenders. A poor Irishman came up to the bar and made this statement:

"Sir, I want you to see me righted. My name's Pat Laughleen, Sir, and I live at 54 Tallman street, Brooklyn, and I work very hard for a living, and I had saved $19, all up in specie—and I thought to make a little by it, and I brought it to New York, and took it to a broker at the corner of Fulton and Broadway, and they agreed to give me 7 per cent for it; and they paid me in bad bills—here's two of them Sir; and when I couldn't pass 'em and took 'm back—they said they never gave the $1 to me, but admitted they give me the $5, and wouldn't take it back."

He produced a $5 bill, purporting to be drawn and payable by the "Kirkland and Safety Society Bank!" This is the money issued by the MOrmonites with the notorious "Joe Smith" for cashier and director.

…

The magistrates cannot interfere; but if the above be not specimens of pure and undefiled rascality, we know of no act that ever was a base one.

We shall go round today and get the names of these brokers for the benefit both of themselves and the community generally. Meantime we call upon the Grand Jury to do their duty to the community, and endeavor if possible to protect the interests of the poor against the terrible shinplaster system. The Grand Juries of Buffalo have already acted—why not those of this city?