New-York tribune., 1875-02-11
IN APPEAL From THURLOW WEED.
IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM P. LAMSoN.

IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM P. LAMSON.
A BIIEF vINDICATIoN OF HIS CHARACTER
To the Edftor OF The Tribune.
SIR: beg to submit, in justice to the memory of
an injured citizen brief vindcation of his char
acter. respectfully ask this reparation from the
Press. because the Press, in the discharge OF Its
duties, was by transformation the cause OF blasting
the reputation and destroying the business hopes OIL
meritorious man.
Some two years ago the Commissioners of Chari-
ties and Correction were anxious to lind man OIL
good general business capacity and OF incorruptloie
integrity as their purchasing agent. The posluoh
was one of high pecuniary trust. very largo
amount of money was dsbursed by that agent III
tbe purchase of supplies for our charitable and re-
formatory institutions. William p. Lamson, who
held for twenty years place Of financial response
bity in the American Express Company, was 80
well youched for that he received the appoint
ment. Entering Immediately upon the dis
charge of his new duties, Mr.. Lamson be-
gan and continued to make all the purchases
reauired. with an industry, discrimination, econ
omy, and integrity which not only commended him
TO the Commissioners out secured for him tue respect
of those with whom he came into business contact.
All were satisfied that he was just and fair But
when Commissioners Bell. Brennan, and Nicholson
were removed and Messrs. Stern and Laimbeer were
appointed, the former wanted the purchasing agency
for ono of his friends. Ignoring Gen. Bowen, Messrs.
Stern and Laimbeer took the management of the
Board into their own hands. They removed Mr.
Lamson against Gen. Bowen's earnest protest and
appointed Mr.. Goodkind who soon fell into the
vicious habit OF receiving commissions on purchases
The reiterated charges against the purchasing
agents attracted the attention of the Grand jury.
Mr. Laimbeer, when reproached for the removal OF
Mr. Lamson, alleged as his justification that MI.
Lamson was incorporate He subsequently, stultiied
himself by sending for Mr.. Lamson and saying he
had done wrong by cOnsenting to his removal, and
that now be would unite with Gen. Bowen in restOr-
ing him. But his sense of justice wasoaly spasm0dc.
Mr.. Stern soon lassoed him. Meantime the charges
and feeling against Mr.. Goodkind multiplied and in
creased The city Press charged that the purchasing
agent received from five to ten per cent more from
the city than was paid for the articles purchased for
the institutions. Mayor Havemeyer volunteered to
investigate these charges. 1t was apparent, how
ever, as soon as the gratutous investigation began.
that its object was to whitewash his appointees,
Commissioners Stern and Laimbeer. And such
proved to be the fact. Mr.. Laimbeer unable to ex-
cuse himself for the removal of honest purcha3-
ing agent agaln represented 8lr. Lamson as intem-
perate. Thus -doubly wronged. first. in being
unustly removed. and next, in having his character
aspersed. Mr.. LamsOn prepared suitable vindication
and requested its publication in each of our leading
morning journals But the question had lost Its
general interest and he was unable to obtain hear
ing His vindication contained the following testi-
monials:
We the undersigned members Of the Board of Dlrec-
tors OF the American Express COMPANY and OF Wells,
Fargo Co.'s Express Company. cheorfnlly certify 10
LAM yyhti
tive companies during period OF nclry twenty years
WILLIAM G.. FARGO, President.
ALEX. HOLLAND, Treasurer.
JAMES c. FARGO, General superintendent.
HENRY WELLS.
EDWIN B. MORGAN.
Neic- York. June 2, 1874.
We the undersigned deem it simple act OF justice TO
say viudicaton OF an Intelligent ana upright punlo
General Purchasing Agent by the Board Of Charities
and Correction discharged his duties In manner alike
satisfactory Board useful TO the CITY, and credit
able TO himself. The duties OF Purchasing Agent impor
tant and responsible, require thorough knowedGe OF
business and the integrity qualities which
marked Mr.. Lamsons actions ana cnsracter.
O w BREyNAy JAMES B. NICHOLSON,
ALEXANDER FRBAR.
Nep- York, May 27, 1874.
Mr. Lamson left good situation to accept that
offered to him by the Commissioners of Charities
and Correction. His removal, itself unjust, was
aggravated by false accusation. Resting under
the charge of intemperance, he unable to obtain
other occupation, and had been for several months
out of employment. Having previously confded
the savings of twenty years TO the keeping OF rela
tive, who lost bis money and that of his friend
in the Broad-st. panic Mr.. Lamson had nothing to
fall back upon. Heretofore both his character and
his credit were unquestoned; now he was unable
even to pay his board bill. He was conscious of
having lived blameless life. He had many friends
and no enemies He suffered keenly under the i'm
putation of intemperance-m keenly indeed than
was supposed. The thought of not being able to
provide for wife and mother, whom he tenderly
loved preyed upon his sensitive organization until,
under temporary alienation of mind occasioned by
deep sense of injustice he committed suicide Mr..
Lamson's remains were taken to Palmyra-where
he had formerly resided, and where. as here, he
was universally respected-for interment. 7. W.
Ne,o. York, Feb Q, 1875