"Perhaps the above may vary, more or less, 20 or 30 mills.
| In 1854 the number was | 1208 |
| In 1873 the number was | 1945 |
| Nineteen years an increase of | 738 |
| In 1862 the number was | 1492 |
| In 1873 the number was | 1946 |
| Eleven years an increase of | 454 |
| New banks with an increase of capital only of $78 mills. |
"In considering the position, the banks are recognized as part of the public in their representations of their stockholders, and it is not intended to dissect out of their liabilities their individual status."
CHARLES O'CONOR TO TILDEN
"Fort Washington, March 16th, 1876.
"My dear Governor,—I had the honor of addressing you some time ago concerning the expediency of repealing a section of 1864 and an act of 1867, both of which most absurdly recognized a right of action in tax-payers for maladministration by public corporations.
"My reason for urging the step at this time is an action by one Charles Devlin, Tweed's bail, against the Attorney-General and others, seeking the appointment of a receiver and the transfer of the Ring suits to the control of the Tweed faction. Tweed's attorneys are attorneys for the plaintiff in this action, and for their motions they select as judge Charles Donohue, who, by the order for a bill of particulars, showed his fidelity to Tweed principles.
"It is ridiculous that such a suit should be permitted to harass us and bring our movements under the control of Donohue.
"I have supposed that a real reformer of the Republican party should be enlisted to push this repeal through, and if you select such an one I am willing, if put in communication with him, to aid him in any way that I can, and, if need be, I will go to Albany to co-operate with him.