The news., 1885-07-14


tent man and not at cost of more
money than could easily be COM
manded.
Mr.. Mcpherson said that he had
met Mr. Randolph either that day
or within day or two, and they had
had some talk about the next election;
that Mr.. Randolph had asked what
policy he would recommend and
what counties he should want to take
in charge, and that he had replied to
him evasively as to the first part of
the question, and as to the second part
had said that he would take any coun-
ties except those about his own home,
where he had so many friends among
both parties that he could not make
an effective canvass without making
many personal enemies.
Mr.. Mcpherson very promptly re-
plies to the charges, and his letter is so
interesting we give it in full
BELLE MEAD, n. j., July Sth, 1888.
The charge, as made by the True
american, is briefly, that VIM. J.
Sewell Cat present Senator in Con-
gress) and myself met together in
Room 26. Continental Hotel, Philadel-
phia, December 5th, 1878, and then and
there concocted a scheme to secure
and advance the political fortunes of
both Sewell and myself, and also to
assist the Pennsylvania r. R. Co.
These charges are supported by the
sole alleged statement of Peter H.
Watson, (who is total stranger to
myself and whom | have never seem
who, it is said, occupied an adjoining
room and who overheard the CONVEX
sation between the parties. The
answer to it all is, the man who makes
this statement was either crazy, an
egregious liar, or grossly mistaken; ;
the presumption being he was the lat
ter-at least mistaken as to the iden-
tity of one of the parties accused, as I
shall presently show, and possibly as
to both. And now as to the story it
self am informed the rooms thus
occupied on that eventful day or
night are separated by heavy brick
walls and double doors, each three
inches thick Except the ear-wit-
ness was ensconsed in an intervening
water-closet, inwhich event by one
door only through which cam
paign orator could scarcely be heard.
Perhaps, therefore, we may be permit
ted again to presume that he drew
largely upon his imagination for the
statements made (if any he has made,
of which there is as yet no evidence)
unless the conspirators wanted to be
heard by somebody. The very ex-
travagance of the assertions, coupled
with the circumstances surrounding
the whole affair, proves their absurdity.
AS to the last charges made, that of
conspiracy in the interests of subsidy
or railroad legislation for the Penna.
r, r., refer the public to my votes in
the State Legislature and in Congress
during eleven consecutive years of SER
vice to find even one vote given for a
subsidy for any purpose, railroad or
otherwise; or any legislative favor
granted to railroad. Nothing is bet
ter known in New Jersey than that
my first election to the Senate in 1877
was bitterly opposed by the Pennsyl-
vania and other railroads of the State
because of my then record, and my
proclaimed opposition to the Texas
and Pacific subsidy then pending in
Congress.
In view of these facts my talk with
Sewell one year later, as reported,
seems ridiculous.
In October, 1879, I was asked the
meaning of a report concerning a
political understanding between Sewell
and myself, which took.place at the
Continental Hotel, Philadelphia, in
December preceding. Expressing great
surprise, asked for the story and the
source of the information.
/ was referred to Senator Theodore
f. Randolph (then living) for informa-
ton, and to him l addressed the fol-
lowing letter:
New York, OoT, "a, 1879.
Han. Z. r. Randolph.
Dear Sir.-A friend has just informed
me that an alleged conversation be-
tween Gen. W. J. Sewell and myself,
at the Continental Hotel, in Philadel-
phia, early in December last, has been
overheard and reported. am also ad-
yised it has been reported to you some
months ago-and that the purport of
that conversation was in the nature of
a conspiracy against the Democratic
party and you yourself, and in the in
terest of the Republican party and es-
pecially Sewell's political ambitions
Permit me to say-if you have been
the custodian of this false and SANDER
Gus accusation for even one day, in
stead of months, without giving me a
chance of defense, then | am greatly
disappointed in your feelings toward
me. Without regard to its effect upon
me personally, l certainly conclude
that party interests cannot be bene-
flied by such course. | speak thus
plainly assuming that you know of
such. To say the least, should have
acted otherwise if our positions were
reversed. | know not what the re-
ports are, except in general way
and am left to conjecture respecting
the identity of their author. l beg
leave to say, however, that whoever
the author may be, he is grossly de-
ceived as to the identity of the
person accused, or he is a most de-
spicable william. To say that General
Sewell and myself, in December last,
in Philadelphia, or at any time or
place, held any such conversation, is
false as hell. To this effect my denial,
and that of General Sewell, under
oath, is ready. ! was at the Continen-
tial Hotel ON the 5th of December
last, and at no other time during the
month. Now, if this be the time
alleged, ] will show by other testimony,
as reliable as the fabricator of this
story, that it is not, and without their
knowledge could not be true. 1t is
very unfortunate for the vendor of