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familiar acquaintances, and he has weathered a dozen of the great financial storms of the Street. In the course of a short interview with a Tribune reporter the other day Mr. Smith said: "When I entered the Stock Exchange in 1844, the sessions were held on the third floor of the present Custom House. Some of the prominent names at that time were Winslow & Perkins, Dykers, A1styne & Co., J. G. Kings' Sons, Cammann, Whitehouse & Co., Ward & Co., Nevins, Townsend & Co., Jacob Little & Co. Stebbins & Jandon; which with two or three exceptions have gone out of existence. One of the principals usually attended the Board, but the total present probably did not exceed a hundred. Stocks were called by the presiding officer, and transactions were recorded by the secretary, and each member kept his record book. The proceedings were conducted with preeision and dignity. After a few years the quarters became too confined, and the top floor of the Corn Exchange Bank was fitted up for the accommodation of the members. These quarters were soon found too restricted, and the Exchange then moved to Lord's Building, where it remained until the present building was opened in 1866, with alterations to suit the changed conditions of business. "There was a panic when the great fire of 1845 occurred. and again on the opening of the Mexican War. That of 1857, however, exceeded any other. Wall Street was thronged with an excited crowd, and the banks were filled with depositors pressing for their money. An instance of the unsettled conditions was that my firm sold some securities for which It received a certified check, which was at once sent for deposit in the Manhattan Bank. While waiting in line word came that the State Bank had suspended payment"