Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-08-27
JOHN sWEARs.
What IOhn Sherman Says of Casanave's
StOry---He is Perfectly Willing
to Help the Returning
Board Man.

piitsburg Special to Philadelphia Times
Secretary Sherman was in this CITY
nearly all day, having stopped ON his
way to Steubenville, where he is TO
make speech tonight. The Times
correspondent called on him in his
room at the Magnolia House, and
found him quite talkative. There
was some allusion to the Ohio cam
paign, and he said he had no doubt
the Republicans would carry the
State, He thought the Greenbackers
would not poll much of a vote, and
that the Greenback vote of last year
would chiefly 60 to the Republicans
wv hat do you think about Casa
naves method of trying to raise
money to pay his counsel fees?" was
asked.
Il think he has done just right,
replied the secretary. He was the
victim of a political prosecution. and
he should not be compelled to pay
bill which he is not able to pay with
out running himself"
will he raise money enough in
Washington to settle the indebted
ness?"
Il do not know, but | think he
will. | am sure that shall be glad
to pay part of it. | consider it my
duty to help to pay the amount. /
shall do it openly and above board. |
think that it is a damned cowardly
piece of business for the Republicans
to be afraid of Casanave. He incurred
this debt for the good of the party,
and, as far as [ know, he never did a
wrong thing. think that prominent
Republicans should at once send him
money enough to free himself from
this tangle. Five thousand dollars is
a large fee, but they charge big prices
down in Louisiana. Casanave is only
a livery stable keeper down there, and
the Democratic counsel who defended
him will sell his horses and stock un-
less he gets aid from those who should
be his friends in the North. Part of
the counsel fees have already been
paid by the other members of the re-
turning board, and this five thousand
dollars is balance which is due by
Casanave. | don't know whether his
property is good for the amount or
not. Wells and Andersen are good.
but their real estate would have to be
sold, and real estate does not sell we'll
IN Louisiana just now."
How was it that Casanave did
not get an Office? ?"
Simply because he never applied
for one, said Mr.. Sherman. Il
think-no, no | may say | am sure
that Casanave meyer tried to get any
office under the government since
1876. On the contrary, he has said
that he did not want any,"
Was he ever offered an Office ?"
No, sir" said the secretary, with
emphasis. "As he never applied for
an Office he never was offered one
and, still further than that, nothing
has ever been done for him by the
party in any way"
Did he write to you of his trouble
before he came North ?"
No, knew nothing about it until
be told me. He never wrote to any
body about it as far as | know. Ifhe
comes to me in the right way, | shall
be glad to do all | can to help him,
but 1t he comes and busters and
threatens, then | shall not feel dis
posed to do much for him."
You have no hesitation in saving
you will give him some money to aid
him ?"
" None whatever, and any Republi-
can who hesitates to do so is a damned
fool. Instead Of hesitating he should
put his hand in his pocket, just as |
am willing to do, and help the man
out Of his trouble. 1t does not do
any good to be afraid of meeting
thing of this kind. Instead of being
afraid of it | court it, and would
rather have the people know it than
not"
" Have you seen what Casanave SAYS
about the matter p
No, | was away when he came on.
and the whole thing is new. do not
know anything much about it.
Did Casanave have a talk with
you about it2"
" Only in a general way. did not
see much of him, and he merely told
me the status of the case. As far as
raising the money is concerned that is
an easy matter. Why, | could 90 out
here in Pittsburg and tell the leading
Republicans that Casanave was about
to be sold out to pay his counsel fees
in that criminal case, and | am conf.
dent | could raise all the money in
two hours. could do the same in
New York or Cincinnati, or almost
anywhere else. Casanave could have
raised the money from the few wealthy
Republicans who are in New Orleans
if he had tried it, but Wells and the
others could not help him"
Elephants as Swimmers.
New York Sun
mi