New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-08
Observation-Disclosures
ARCHBISHOP CoRRIGAN COULD NOT BE
BRIBED.
no TRUTH APPARENTLY IN A BIG FINANCIAL
SCHEME ALLEGED TO BE BACKED
BY THE POPE

BY THE POPE.
The statement published at length by " The Heiad
yesterday that Roman Catholic bank, with capltal
OF 800, 900 900 and an Apostolic bencdicton, was
about he started in this country had no substantial
foundation. The promotion of the scheme seems 10
be OF the accidents which the apparently eager
desire Of European capital for investment in American
securities has produced. No Of the persons In any
way connected with the scheme in the publ she'd story
knew anything about IT, In fact many " the persons
named were unknown In New-YOrk, or they could nOt
be found. Eugene Kelly. who would be likely 10
know something about the alleged plan In consequence
OF his position both I'm Wall Street and IN" Cathonc
Chur'h, said in amused way: 70 use the language
Of Colonel sellers there millions I'm IT, have
been in bus a great many years. and among other
things / have learned that men who bank on their re-
lieon or virtue arc apt to encounter d'feat'
Mr. Kelly named .eveIal Instances which Tiny not
be specified. lie added o. know nothing about the
scheme, ard never was more amused than was this
morning when | rad The Hera!ds story. some
eighteen months or perhaps TWO years ago was ap-
preached on what I presume is the same subject |
received a suggestion from somebody thai somebody
csc might want 10 talk with me about a project.
have hearl nothing about II since but imagine that
the things are connected. The published story IS
without foundation far as I know"
gentleman in Mr.. Kcy's Office explained that
Apostolic blessings Of The kind printed in The Herald
any visitor AZ the Vatican could fill up. Any good
Catholic who desired a blessing Of this kind could
obtain II without difficulty. II was pointed out
that the specific blessing not signed by the
Pope.
Archbishop Corrigan made the following statement
to Tribune reporter: On September 10, 1S87, the
Rev. Jerome p Saccher that time Secretary Of the
Congregation OF tho Index IN Rome wrote TO me TO
inquire about the financial condition Of the Emigrant
Say Pan IN no cffy dalGO n
character and integrity OF Mr. Henry L. Hoguet, presi
dent Of the bank Mr. Eugene Kelly and the late James
Lynch OF the Board OF Directors lie added that there
a project OF establishing branch OF this bank
In the City Of Rome, and that the information was
needed for a par icular friend OF his who was gcnte
man OF very high official position. I replied to his
letter, stating that the bank rested excellent
financial basis and that the moral character and In
tecrity of the gentlemen referred to were beyond re
proach.
Shortly after this he sont ont agent. named
G. W. Ley bourn, who called upon me- presenting TWO
letters from Father Saccheri, ono general letter
stating that he came for the purpose of consulting
the gentlemen about whom inquiries had been made,
for The purpose II possible, Of establishing branch
Institution I'm Rome. The second letter cooy re-
quested to furnish him, perfect stranger. with
all the funds that he might need In
America, the writer also being perfect
stranger TO me-. Mr. Ieybourn now opened quite
different project Instead Of branch of the Emf
grant Savings Bank, there was question OF world
wide Institution. with agencies at all the principal
capitals Of the world; a scheme going into millions
and millions declined taking any part whatsoever
in the enterprise from the very beginnns ard
assured him that he was likely 10 find no encourage
ment on the part Of the directors OF The Emigrant
Bank ! was able TO make this assertion cOhhd, nuy ,
as | had already conferred with all three gentlemen
above named on the subject. -, =,
Mr. Leybonrn called upon me second "oo iime ne, ID
lFl1n of - nd
considerations II should recommend this scheme to
the Catholics of this diocese lie wa, eNpeditlohsy
shown TO the door. and the butler was requested never
to admit him to this house agan. have never seen
him since have here a letter from Mr.. Lynch about
fbe .Fides, Bank az II called then-all faith and
no substance. Mr.. Lynch wrote The scheme. does
NOT impress me favOraby. My colleagues me
trustees OF the Emgrant Industrial savings Bank-
.would have nothing 10 do with IT, Henry l.
Uoc1Iet pres dent OF that bank, wrote to me In
ihe same sense and he said Tho Emigran savings
Bank has never had any CORE, pondence or verba.
negotiations respecting branch In Rome nor WOuld
a connection with any such enterprise be likely 10
meet with tho elton of any of the trustees In this
bank That letter is dated April 81, 1883"