Morning journal and courier., 1889-05-25

The directors, President H. B. Bigelow, Nas than F. Hall, Horace J. Morton, Philo Chat field, Enos s. Kimberly, c. s. Mersick, W. W. Converse and James English, were closeted in 8 rear room. The big books and records of the bank were being taken down from their shelves, papers in bundles and punches were being taken from pigeon holes and closely examined, and 8 general spirit of breathless suspense and suppressed interest prevailed among directors and officers.
 The banks attorney, John W. filling, was in close consultation with the directors. City Attorney Daley was also summoned and spent some time with the gathering. When asked about the affair all he would say was that, Cashier Bradley and Teller Palmer had been apprehended in discounting notes with out the banks knowledge and that they had been arrested in civil suit, the bank having attached all the property it could find. He further stated that no steps had been taken criminally.
 President Fl. B. Bigelow would say noth- ing but that the bank was all right and that he had no statement further to make.
 The assistant paying teller, MT. Charles W. Palmer, was not taken into custody and attended to his duties ar the bank yesterday, but WAS kept under surveillance.
 The following card was issued 10 the pub lie at noon by President Bigelow:
 To the Public:
 Certain irregularities have been found in the bank involving cashier and assistant teller.
 There will probably be cons erable ,os to the
 It is not yet ascertained whether these officers but notes have been discounted which were pre-. sented the board of directors for thsir approval and he loss on this class of paper cannot at this
 H. B. BIGELow
 President Merchants National Bank.
 Bank Examiner Dooley has been in the city for two or three days and was closeted with the directors all day yesterday.
 Arto AIIiDp said vesterdav afternoon that the civil process under which MT. Brad- ley was held was based on negligence. He considers the amount involved to be between $3O, GOO and $40,000.
 Bankmen generally were completely sur prised at the bare announcement that John O. Bradley was suspected of dishonesty and the idea was not considered possible. It is held by gentlemen posted in business matters that MT Bradley ia 8 martyr to large hearredness, and that his present difficulty will soon be cleared completely to satisfy everyone that his fnsncial standing should not be plotted or sullied; and that none of the banks money has cleaved to his fingers. As it appears, MT. Bradley with Assistant Teller Palmer had been for several years dis counting notes for business men and personal friends without reporting these transactions to the board of directors, and that many such transactions did not get before the board. The idea was that he and MT. Palmer 
 sonal friends out of kindness and dislike to refuse e small favor. These men took advan- tage of his weakness and approached with larger sums till the deficit has reached the present figure.
 Mir Bradley is we'll known about the city. fifty years old, heavily built, with high, well rounded forehead, hair slightly tinged with gray, and closely trimmed | goatee, which has also been some | what silvered by the touch of time | He has pretty residence on East Pearl ! street, Fair Haven, where he had many ! warm friends among his neighbors, and is 8 prominent member of the Ecclesiastical so- | ciety of the First Congregational church, ,tak- | ing hearty interest in the musical affairs of the parish. Indeed, music seemed to be his chief pleasure.
 His home was guarded throughout Thurs day night by a policeman, but his family and ueiphbors knew nothing of what WAS soon to happen, save an unconscious uneaslness which was noticeable in his manner. His sons Wallace w. and Edward did not know of their fathers arrest til o'clock yester- day afternoon. They called on him at the sheriff's office, where he was nervously pacing the floor. MT. Bradley has five sons and one daughter. His eldest son, John O., was formerly of the firm of Bradley and Ball, soap manufacturers. Wallace H. is secretary and business manager of the New Haven Wire Goods Co. Elisha A. is head book keeper for Governor Bigelow at his manufsc- tory. and Edward is confidential clerk for H. c. Warren & Co, bankers
 There are few that knew MT. Bradley in a social or hueiness way who will not feel a pang of sorrow at the sudden developments which have but temporarily, it is hoped and believed, cas- a shadow upon his name, and it is the constant and earnest conviction of hundreds of his friends in the city and else where that hs will emerge from the trouble with character unsullied, unquestioned and irreproachable, save for largeness of heart, which was weakness that his fellow men were quick to take advantage of. The complaint against him alleges nothing criminal in his action, but negligence and csrelessness. The assis- tant teller of the Merchant's bank, Charles W. Palmer, is said to be more deeply impli- cated in the office than his superior officer, the former, however, having the more re- sponsible position. MT. Palmer has been under the surveillance of Private Detec- tive John Leete for two days, although he has not been arrested. He lives at 266 Mar tin street, is about forty years old and has been in the bank for twenty years He.is also the manufacturer of hair tonic which goes under his name. He is a son of the late highly esteemed sur veyor General Palmer, who held that State office for years and whose home was in this city.
 Many stated, when the affair was spread upon the streets, that it WAS to shield the as- sistant teller, MT. Palmer, that MT. Bradley became so deeply implicated in the irregu- lsrities which have so suddenly been brought to light.
 Bank officers were surprised at hearing of the trouble at the Merchants. Said one bank president: It is more than likely that the discovery of the trouble originated in the discovery by the bank examiner at New York that there was discrepancy in the figures of the banks account there and their home statement. Very likely this started the investigation. The bank will probably have to pass it's next dividend.
 Mir. Dooley, the Connecticut bank ex- aminer, has been up to his ears in business at the bank for three days, and his in quiry is not yet quite finished. Yesterday afternoon at three o'clock Governor Bigelow announced to COURIER representative the official notice published above, and said the banks capital (half million dollars) was in no wise impaired, as the bank had surplus of $1O0, ,O0O. Mir. Palmer was still at the bank assisting the examiners and was much depressed. He has large circle of friends, and regret was everywhere expressed that his prospects had met 6 reverse of this char acter and hope that he might come ont of man, the teller, and J. K. Cornwall, the bookkeeper, were busy at their respective desks. Directors H. J. Morton and J. G. English were in the directors room with Lawyer John W. Alling, and Director Chas s. Mersick dropped in for a moment. Gov Bigelow in the midst of his pressing business found chesry answer for all interrogations, and smoked his cigar with energy.
 At Sheriff Gates offices in the new county court building was another scene. MrBrad- ley was in the inner room busily engaged in conversation with his counsel, MT. B. P. Ar vine. MT. Konold was in charge and another official was with him. Sheriff ates was in the outer room. Preparations were at first talked of for remaining over night in the sheriff's office and beds were to have been provided there, but this programme was changed for quarters at the Tontine, where MT. Bradley and the deputies spent the night. The question of bail for MT. Bradley will probably come to a head to-day and if too large an amount is not asked he will no doubt be at liberty before night, as friends last night expressed their confidence that any reasonable sum could be readily pro- cured.
 It was learned last night that $19, 900 or $20, 900 of endorsed paper in favor of D. 0. Pratt, New York merchant, @ slate dealer, but residing in this city, and endorsed by John E: Bassett, the Chapel street hardware d0aIAF had zH