Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-02-05

nUuCGNAsl 0VuM
Every one in the country who has
ever seen a copy of the Chicago Tribune
knows that there is no paper published
in the United States more thoroughly
imbued with the malignant venom Of
Radicalism. Every one in the country
VINO has ever heard anything Of John
Sherman, Mr. Hayes Secretary of the
Treasury, also knows that he is, to use
a homely expression, thoroughly
''tarred with the same stick. "
When, therefore. the aforesaid
paper brings serious charges against the
aforesaid Secretary, il is but natural to
conclude that they are based on an ex-
ceedingly sound foundation, for, mar
rOw.minded and ultra sectional as it is,
that journal would not expose the ques-
tiOnable acts of one of its own family
unless they were so fragrant that they
could not be concealed. We were,
therefore, somewhat surprised when,
few days ago, a queer transaction in real
estate in Washington, in which Sherman
has figured quite prominently, was made
public through the columns of our Chi
cago Radical contemporary. The story
in brief, as told by the Tribune, is as fol
lows:
A real estate company, consisting Of
several prominent politicians, have been
negotiating for the purchase of large
tract of valuable land at the head of
Fourteenth street, on Meridian Hill. in
the national capital. This property is
owned by an old lady named Stone, who,
having partially lost her faculties through
old age, has been persuaded to sell it for
$500, John Sherman is acting for
the real estate company, in the capacity
of trustee, to whom the title is to be con-
veyed. One of the heirs to the estate
who lives in Newport, KY, was notified
of the intentions Of the ring, came on
to Washington to make resistance, and
retained Congressman Carlisle as coun-
sci. a day or since Mr.. Carlisle had
long interview with Mr. Sherman
and asked him if such negotiations were
pending. He acknowledged they were.
Mr. Carlisle then informed him of Mrs
Stones condition, and of the influences
brought to bear to control her feeble
Judgment. The Secretary listened at
tentively, but made no promises, and
Mr. Carlisle says that he learns vigorous
attempts have since been made to induce
the old lady to sign deed of sale.
The secret of Mr.. Sherman's zeal in
this matter is made manifest when it is
remembered that for some time past the
subject of removing the Executive Man
sion from its present site has been much
talked of, and the land which the pool,
consisting OF Sherman 81 Co., are en-
deavoring to purchase, has been men
toned as one of the most eligible loca
tions for that purpose in Washington.
Hence it is shrewdly suspected that said
Sherman s. Co., with an eye to business,
have determined to buy this property
for $500, 900, which is about one-third
Of its market value, and then sell it to
the government for fabulous sum.
And the TrjJune's special correspondent,
after detailing the above story, adds:
Mr.. Sherman, who has kept very quiet
about the whole transaction, is known
to have gone over the property once Or
twice, quite recently, carefully examin-
ing its eligible points"
We reproduce THIS story as one of
special interest because of the source
from which it is derived. We hope for
the credit of our common government
that Mr.. Sherman, ex United States
Senator, present member of Mr.. Hayes
Cabinet and United States Senator elect
from Ohio, is not guilty of the charge
against him. Nevertheless, it must be
remembered that this charge is not
made public by Democratic opponent,
and so cannot be dismissed as "a politi-
cal lie." Therefore we are inclined to
give it credence, and indulge in the hope
that the old sdage about "thieves falling
out, etc., may be verified in this instance.
and that the finality of this whole trans
action may be that Mrs. Stone will not
be "euchred" out of her property by
what is plainly, If true, a swindling
transaction.