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FAILURE OF JAY COOKE & CO. THE BOLT THAT STARTLED WALL-ST.-THE SUSPENSION CAUSED BY THEIR ADVANCES TO THE NORTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD-THEIR LIABILITIES SAID TO BE BETWEEN THREE AND FIVE MILLIONS. Early in the day, the rumors which form such an important part of Wall-st. operations were revived with increased emphasis. The names of houses which even the most unscrupulous stock jobber had heretofore spared, passed mercilessly from mouth to mouth. First came renewed rumors of the embarrassments of the New-York and Oswego Midland Railway Company, and their financial agents, George Opdyke & Co. Statements that some banking institutions were on the brink of failure were also made with depressing effect. These rumors, false as they were, made the rounds, growing in evil influence as they became more and more distorted. The crowning rumor of the day was this time unfortunately too true. Jay Cooke & Co., the Government fiscal agents, who had stood 80 high in financial circles throughout the world, were impaired by reason of their connection with the Northern Pacific Railroad, and would probably be obliged to suspend. This rumor, which was in the air early in the morning, spread like wildfire, but although dealers were disposed to believe almost anything, it was still rather difficult to convince 'the street" that the foremost American banking-house in this country was not able to meet its obligations. Of course, measures were immediately taken to verify the statement, and at noon it was officially announced that Jay Cooke & Co. had suspended. This news was immediately flashed over the wires of the stock and gold indicators around which groups had been hovering all the forenoon, and the dispatch was read to all who were within hearing. The effect was electric and Jay Cooke & Co.'s offices were soon crowded with an anxious and curious throug. JAY COOKE & CO.'S-WITHOUT. At about 1 p. m., when the news became generally known, the sidewalks on Wall. Nassau, and Broadsts. were thronged with a mixed assemblage of people. Few of these had any pecuniary interests involved; but, having nothing else to do, concluded that they could as well afford to spend their time there as elsewhere. These formed a awaying, agitated, and excited mass which it was difficult to penetrate. The crowd stretched over the sidewalks into the center of the street, and even filled the basements of contiguous buildings. It was a rude, impertinent crowd, for it peered insultingly into the faces of those who had occasion to enter or leave the offices of the unfortunate bankers. Not content with their places, they clambered over the railings, filled the basement, peered through the windows, and even invaded the offices. So intolerable became the nuisance that the bankers were obliged to have a detachment of police and detectives, the former to disperse the crowd. and the latter to nullify the operations of pickpockets and sneak thieves, who were on hand to avail themselves of any opportunity for plunder. The officers were then permanently stationed around the entrances, with orders to disperse all loungers and keep the sidewalks clear. JAY COOKE & CO.'S-WITHIN. Inside the scenes were even more interesting. The interests or sympathies of those who congregated there being more directly affected, there was a better opportunity to study character. Those who had money on deposit, of course, wished to draw it out and were exceedingly disconsolate when they were informed that the firm had suspended payment. A large number of drafts which fell due were returned unpaid to those who presented them, and were then protested. Although somewhat agitated, it was not a clamorous throng. Finding that nothing could be done, all appeared disposed to make a virtue of necessity and to hope for the best. The clerks within were nervous, and very busy in straightening out the details of their departments 80 that a general statement of the condition of the firm could be made. The members of the firm were closeted together early in the day devising means for the relief of the house. They would not see any one. They sent out a statement. however, that the trouble was owing to the demand upon them for money by their Philadelphia house and the withdrawal of deposits from their New-York house. The general bookkeeper stated that the suspension was only temporary, being caused by a lack of available funds to meet the heavy withdrawale of deposite particularly from