Morning journal and courier., 1889-01-28

His Financial Position and Commer-
 cial Standing A Statement by NIr.
 MaIlett.
 To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 The statements of the press in regard to
 my connection with the slight fire that oc'
 cured in the basement of my store Friday night are of such a damaging character that
 feel it is my duty to give the public the plain facts in the case. Friday evening was at the store from about 8 to 9:30 o'clock at- ing the store went to the Yale restaurant, and with an acquaintance had an oyster sup- per, and about 12 o'clock returned to the store and went down to the basement. In lighting the gas carelessly threw the match on the floor, when it suddenly ignited some loose papers which were lying there. I i'm mediately grasped an old broom and endeav. ed to put out the slight flame. Supposing I
 had done so turned out the gas and left the store: When had nearly reached my resi- dence heard the alarm of fire from box 21. After stopping at the house and telling them that the fire alarm had struck my box started to go back to the store. On the way heard the two strokes for "fire out" and concluded not to go and returned to the mousse. upon entering the nall l was 10LOrHs that an officer had been there and had left word for me to come to the store as there had
 been a slight fire in the basement, and the lock of the store door had been forced. I then. of course, at once returned to the store and upon arrival found most of the gas jets lighted and dog en police standing around. went down to the basement and found some more police men and also Fire Marshal Kennedy. I am of nervous disposition and became excited under the circumstances and upon being 80 suddenly questioned made some incoherent replies, but substantially as above, and was, upon the direction of MT. Kennedy, arrested. I walked over to the station and my bond being placed at SIG, 900 it was furnished in a few moments by my landlord at my request. then endeavored to have the papers SUD- press the matter, but some of them had al ready gone to press and others refused. The fact that no longer advertise with some of them may have influenced their action. The COURIER, however, stated the matter { more justly, but the Palladium, News, Union and Register gave me startling blast. This unfortunate affair has made it not only dis agreeable for me temporarily, but has caused considerable anxiety for my friends.
 at once saw Prof. William K. Townsend, who is friend of the family, and had the hearing arranged for this week, when l ex- pect, upon proving these statements, to have the charge dismissed.
 The charge of arson is an extremely seri- ous one, and the press of this city have done their utmost to ruin my character. Many of my friends have called to see me and ex- press their sympathy, and all without sim gle exception, state that they never heard of 50 serious charge on 80 little foundation, \ and especially such uncalled for treatment \ from the press. Personally it does not seri- \ ously effect me as I am conscious of my in nocence, but the publicity of the affair, and \ the manner in which it has been misrepre- ' scented in the press, makes it extremely painful for my friends.
 ! The statements refecting on my financial condition are not only knowingly false, but libelous. am far from @ wealthy man and do not wish to make public inventory, but I will state that have deposits in four diff \ ferent banks, and they have not decreased during the past year. My credit is not only good in New York and Boston, but my cus- tom Is eagerly sought for by the best houses \ in the trade, and there is not 8 single busi- ! ness man, or banker, or commercial agency in New Haven but will substsntiste the | above statements. My stock is in value | double the amount of insurance carried. 1 am naturally of kindly disposition and al ways feel it duty to forgive an injury, but ! the press of this city have passed the limit of my forbearance. D. T. MALLETT. THE NRw GRACE CHHRCH