Year: 1874

The appearance which InfOrmer Jayne made
before the Committee of Ways and Means Of tho House
OF Representatives, Tuesday, was the subject OF gen
eTal comment yesterday among merchants who are
watching the progress Of the inquiry making Into
the Revenue laws with great interest There was some
qualification expressed at the fact that Jayne had shown
the weakness of his by exhibition Of bitterness
which could hardly fail to have its effect upon the Com
mttee TRIBUNE reporter called on Rufus Story Of
the firm OF X Story q Co., and asked him what he
thought OF the account of his which Jayne had pre-
sented TO the Committee.


81 think" he answered, that he is n liar from begin
ming 10 end aud MI. Putnam my partner, u going on
to Washington tonight 10 prove to the Committee that
he is, II they will allow him hearing"


Mr.. Story then gave the reporter a more detailed
statement Of his wrongs than he had before given. MI
Putnam sitting near, and occasionally added an
explanatory remark


The house OF Story Co. /. Of the largest spice
houses in the United States and during the last ten
years their payments OF duties 10 the Government
have fallen much short OF s3C0OO00O The members
OF the firm have high standing in the commercial
world doubt OF their sricest business integrity
has been raised, far the reporter able to
learn after careful inquiry, except by Informer jayne
and his associates The seizure OF their books and
papers made on a charge OF smuggling goods which
alleged 70 have come to New York by New
Haven boat Messrs. Story Pntnam never knew the
particulars Of the charge, which not pressed,
The truth OF which attempted TO be proved. 1t
simply preext for obtaining their books and papers,
all OF which, Involving the business Of the house for
many years taken away and part Of which have
never been returned Tue books and correspondence
in hands OF the Custom officials carefully
searched for pretexs for charges The cargo OF the
Agnes was first seized alleged estimate OF
damage The next charge that lot Of pepper had
bee under We ghed and IL was claimed that the wegher
ready 10 testify that he had under weighed the
goods through the influence OF bribery By agent Of
the firm From the time OF the until the final
Story Putnam refused for nearly eighteen months,
during which Their business
tualy suspended Beside the cargo Of the
Agnes and the lot OF pepper which under actual
seizure they had six cargoes Of bond. OF
necessary papers Ihey employed IN the case Andrew
X. Culver OF the firm OF Washington Il CuYer. who had
previously done their CusOmhouse business, and in
whom they had and have perfect confidence. Mr.. Cu-
finally became convinced that nothing but accession
10 Jayne's demands would enable them 10 regain Dos
session the control Of their property without further
delay which would be ruinOus TO their business, and
they consented TO pay the required sum OF 100000
not 10 prevent investigation maintain secrecy bat
10 money hr story said 10 simple question
win nm whelher 10 pay ihe money or close business
1t would have been profitable for him 10 have paid
10000 on the day his books we're taken or 500 three
months before the settlement ma ide. Nevertheless
neither he nor Mr.. Putnam nor any in their behalf
ever made proposition for settlement expressed a
desire 10 settle. Jayne constantly urging settle
nent and the OF that which was made were fixed
by Jayne. lie demanded tlOOCOO, and would take no
less. At ms request the check made payable TO
bearer and gwen 10 Mr.. Culver, by Mr. Story TO
give 10 Jayne. Messrs. story K Putnam sure
that the check was given 10 Jayne he had explicitly
OtDer payment had ever been made % MN by tie firm.


The statement OF Jayne made under oath 10 the Com
mittee that offers OF settlement had been made by Them
and referred the District Attorney they pronounce
Of the against Jayne, Mr.. Culver yesterday
sent from Tie city on business.