Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-10-17
RIGNEY BEAT HOEY
How the Adams Express Com
pany Came to Investigate.
A BITTER FEUD AND IT'S END
The President Tried Hard to Ruin Agent
Rigney, but Was Himself Worsted.

The Arbitrary Discharge of Several Men
Under the Philad elphia Agent Opened
tho Directors Eyes and Finally Led to
Hoey's Dethroneme Forced
to Resign, Although Possessing Great
Influence - Will Probably be the Chief
Witne IS in the Suit.
NEW York, Oct. 17.-It is a remark
able fact that the arbitrary discharge of
half dozen truckmen in the Philadel-
phia branch of the great Adams Express
Company, earning perhaps not more
than from $12 to $19 a week, was the
means of overthrowing in disgrace John
Hoey, who was until his dismissal last
Wednesday, president of the company,
receiving $50, 900 year.
These are the facts of the case:
Mr.. John Fl. Rigney. the trusted agent
of the Adams Express Company in Phil
adelphia and its district branches in
Delaware and Maryland, has been in the
service of the company for the past 30
years. He has been intimately asso-
ciated with the growth and development
of the business.
During the war Mr.. Rigney was in
charge of the express company's deliv-
cries on the battle fields, and represented
the company with great skill as carrier
and transport agent for the Union army
He has been lifelong friend of the
present president, Mr.. Sanford, and was
associated in intimate business relations
with the late president, William Dins-
more, Mr.. Lovejoy and Mr.. Waldo
Adams.
For some years past John Hoey has
been aware that Mr.. Rigney and the
Philadelphia branch was not in accord
wit e nod
to strike deadly blow at Rigney, but
was afraid of the Philadelphian's in
fiuence over all the employees and SER
wants of the great Philadelphia branch,
| second only to the central Office in the
amount of the business it handled And
Mr.. Rigney was so thoroughly master of
| the great business he had himself built
| up and fostered; and was such general
| favorite with the directors, employees and
| with the leading business and railroad
men of the Quaker City, that Mr.. Hoey
| with almost absolute power still feared
him.
He was probably also aware that Mr.
Rigney was cognizant of many if not all
of his inner dealings during his man
| agement.
While Mr.. Rigney was absent on va
cation in September, 1890, Mr.. Hoey IN
warrantably discharged a number of
Mr.. Rigney's trusted employees, men
who had been Is and 20 years in the
business. Economy was the motive and
reason given by President Hoey. TIL Q
| force, he said, had to be reduced in dull
times. On Mr.. Rigney's return, on Oct.
2, he found his force at-sixes and sevens +,
the work hampered, errors of daily oc-
currence and all because Mr.. Hoey had
removed his best men and put in their
places men ignorant of the business.
Mr.. Rigney expostulated and pointed
out the danger to their common inter-
ests, especially since powerful rival con-
the patronage. Mr.. Hoey ridiculed and
belittled Rigney's warnings and took
every opportunity to snub him.
Mr.. Rigney determined to fight and
vindicate his position, although, he
said, he knew he would be defeated.
His complaints to the direct ors met
with no recognition; they refused to in
terfere, of course, and the unequal fight
ended in the resignation of Mr.. Rign ey
in January of this year. But the CON
troversy had opened the eyes of the di-
rectors, and the disclosures and i'm
peachments of Mr.. Rigney were the
death knell of John Hoey's power.
1t is we'll known that Mr.. Rigney's
knowledge of the inner dealings of
Messrs Hoey & Spooner will as testi-
mony, it is thought, lead to some of
the most sensational developments yet to
be brought out in this important case.
1t will not be any matter of surprise in
Philadelphia if John H. Rigney is asked
by the company to assume the position
that he relinquished only to declare war
on President Hoey and bring about his
complete overthrow
1t is expected that Rigney will be one
of the chief witnesses in the suit against
Hoey.