New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-07-04

Ineanest and basest shifts and have attempted to
corrupt and buy up the individual members Of the
Executive Committee Of tho Merchants Union
Company. Influenced by them, Mr. Thayer has acted
the contemplate part of ntrguan who under the guise
of confidential friendship and family connection APP
preached Gen. SlOcum, and by misrepresentation re-
pectng the honesty of his associate trustees sought to
buy his vote against the call OF per cent and TO poison
his mind against his associates Gen. Slocum always act
ing under the advice Of counsel took course by which
he was enabled to defeat the conspiracy Gen. slOcum
went immediately to his associates and disclosed 10 them
all that had passed between him and Mr. Thayer and
made use Of IL argument why immediate call Of
10 per cent should be made, which made accordingly
and which is now being responded to by the stockholders
with cheerful alacrity.
The aidavits of Mr.. Pratt, Gen. SOcum private
sci, and Gen. John A. Green jr, places this whole trans
action in its proper light, and the public will how the
Vaccinations OF the old companies defeated by the
sagaclous and prudent which characterized the
action of the Executive Committee Of the Company.
We repeat that this is fight between the old Express
Companies and the Merchants Union and that Mr. Water
bury, the nominal plaintiff, is of straw put
forward by them.
We are ready and eager for the fight whether it is to
be conducted under the forms of legal proceedings with
our able and distinguished opponent Brady. with
out the forms OF law, in newspaper bushwbackng. We
confess for prediction IN favor of the former mode of
warfare but under any circumstances in all events
ready TO meet the old mOnOpOies relying upon
the honesty and intelligence of the people TO PROFOUND
verdict on the side Of right
Gen. SlOcum acting under advice, declines to make
any reply to the mOnstrOus untruthfu statements
contained in Mr. waerburys card and Mr.. Thayer's
tmony but will submit at the earliest possible moment
TO fu examination in all the facts charged against HIM
and the Company,
The little project Of Mr. Thayer General Agent of the
United States Express Company mscarred He did not
corrupt or intnidate any of the Executive Committee OF
the Merchants Union, and his conduct in Judgment
exhibits him in no enviable light
We have the honor to be
Your obedient servants
sEwELL 4 PIERCE,
Attorneys for Merchants Union Express Company,
No. Ga Broadway, New York.
State Of New- York. city and County Of Nep York,
+. Pratt being duly sworn he is counsellor az
has frequently advised with H. w. slOcum in matters
concerning the Merchants, Union Express Company.
Slocum came to this depOnent and informed b that he
Bookstaver, Thayer SossoD, to meet c. r. Thayer, Cen
eral Agent of the United States Express Company at his
house in Brooklyn, TO have confidential interview with
respect express matters That said slocum said this
deponent that he had doubt that there then, and
combination TO break down the Merchants Union Ex-
press Company and that he, was informed bat dh not
chants Union Express Company and others in said
continuation This deponent at once advised said Socum
Thayer and obtain from him whatever information he
slocnm submitted to this deponent a paper signed by
said Thayer and asked this deponcnts advice as to
whether IL could IN any way be construed as an agree
ment his, said sOcums part, for the purchase
ordeFng'the purchase of stock said Sloenm also
said to this deponent that he should inform the Execu
tive Committee of the Merchants Union of the whole
matter and his interview between himself and the said
o. Thayer and that the SAID Slocun was never more
confident of the ultimate success of the Merchants Union
old Express COMPANIES were driven that be- Sbond 20 to
the meeting of the Executive Committee of said Mer-
thereafter to be held and first last and always TO
fight the old companies until the monopoly was broken
down This depOnent then told said SlOcum that II was
possible that tire said Thayer ms an individual might
be honest, and that parties IN the intent OF the
tool, and that this dcponent thought he,
whether further call would be made 30 that the said
Thayer might not lose by purchasing any stock. Said
Defendant further says after said socums
from the meeting Of the Trustees aud Directors OF the
Ohio, said socum called upon this deponent and sub
United letter written 10 him by said Thaycr This de
pOnent then advised said slocum that in his judg
ment corrupt scheme on the part % SAID Ihay and
pany and advised him MOTIF pay any attention Whatever
TO the letter that ii bore ITS face indubitabe evidence
said socum and the said Merchants Union Express COM
pany ,,
and aftensad first paper signed by the said Tayer
shown him. this deponent submitted copy Of sad
paper aforesaid signed by said 1hayer to Philip -
Crook esq Granville, r. jerks esq and Joseph Nelson,
esq, all prominent and leading lawyers OF this state and
each them concued with this deponent that was not
i'm aDy sense an aereenent on the part said socum
buy take any stock whatever; neither dd order or
direct the purchase sale of any stock and had no bind
ing force or effect q r. PRATT.
Subscribed and to before me this Sd day Of July
1867. ELEAZAK MILLER,
Notary Public, New-York County.
C9ty and County Of York. John A. Green jr,
S SeS f Of the Merchants Union Express Company
that about the fst day OF june 1867, Henry w.
socum informed him and other members OF sad Com
mttee OF the conversation he had with G. P!Ihayer.
General Agent United States Express Company respect
ing alleged intention tho part OF those interested
old companies TO thwart prevent further call
any money the part OF the Merchants Union TX.
Company in the hope Of eXhastng the treasury OF
said Company and Gripping It's efforts and TO prevent
the further call Of 10 per cent which was under Hyse-
ment and Thayer had offered 90 purchase stock in
the old companies, and carry for him. II ne Womb vote
that he intended 10 vote for the call OF 10 per cent
and he understood this whole matter as trick and
device Of the old cOmpanes and dep0nent further say
that at subsequent meeting of said Committee, az the
house Of Vim. H. Seward, r at Auburn, the said Slocu
did advocate the making Of said call OF 10 per cent ana
his influence then eXertcd III favor OF SAID can ana
said Slocun advocated the passage OF resolution
offered by this deponent in the words following VIZ
Resolred That negotiations looking 10 an arrange
ent with either all Of the old Express Companies be
had the Managers Of the Merchants Union Express
tablshment OF tariff between the Companies that sIa
bring profitable business TO the stockholders oi THIS
Company" =, 49,, A., H.,
going affidavit of Pratt, and that the said Slocum
stated him substantially, one OF the Executive com
mtee facts embraced I'm said ahdavIs OF SAID
was In his Judgment, established success; ana sald
Socum further stated 10 this deponent that ne thouR
was a scheme the part OF the old companies 10 III
iure the Merchants Union but he thought he ought 10
inform said Thayer, that he might not charge him,
said slocum with any bad faith TO him individually
JNo. A. GREEN 1r