New-York tribune., 1885-07-09
Mr.. McPHERSON'S REPLY.
THE SENATOR MEETS THE CHARGES.


HE PLEADS AN ALlBI AND PRODUCES ArrrpAvrro
TO PROVE Ir-ooUXTERCHARGEs OF coNspyR.
ACY AND sLANDRR.
Senator Mcpherson, Of New-Jersoy makes the
following reply to the charges recently preferred
against him by The Trenton True Amerioaw: =.
BELLE MEAD. N. j., July 8. 1885,
The charge as made by The True Americax h
briefly, that William J. Sewell lat present Sens-
tor in Congress) and myself met together in Room
&C. Continental Hotel Phladelphis. December .,
1873, and then and there cnncocted scheme t0
secure and advance the political fortunes OF both
sewell and myself and also TO assist the Pennsyl.
ported upon the sole alleged statement of Peter II.
Watson, who is total stranger to myself and
whom have never seen. who 1t 10 said occupied an
adjoining room and overheard the conversation
between the parties. The answer to 1t all H. the
man who makes this statement was either crazy.
sumption being he was the latter at least mistaken
as to the identity OF one OF the parties accused -
shall presently show, and possibly ss to both.
rooms thus occupied Oh that eventfu! day or night
are separated by heavy brick walls and double
DOORS each three inches thick Except tho ear-wit-
ness was ensconced in anAintervening watcr-cIoset,
In which event by one door only through which
camp agn orator could scarcely be heard. Perhaps
therefore, We may be permitted again TO presume
that he drew largely upon, his Imagination for tho
statements made iii any he has made Of which theru
Is yet evidence) unless the conspirators
travagance of the assertions, coupled with the cir
cumstances surrounding the whole affair proves
their absurdity.
As to the last charge made that of conspiracy in
the interests Of subsidy railroad legislation for
the Pennsylvania Railroad. 1 refer the pnba
to my votes in the State Legislature and In Congress
during eleven consecutive years of service to hnd
even one vote given for q subsidy for any purpose,
railroad or otherwise. or any legislative favor
granted to q railroad. Nothing Is better known IN
New-Jersey than that my first election to the
Senate in 1877 was bitterly opposed by the Penn.
sylvana and other railroads of the State because OF
my then record. and my proclaimed opposition 70
tho Texas and Pacific subsidy then pending IN
Congress. In view Of tbess facts my talk with
Sewel one year Later as reported seems RIDICULOUS
THE POLITICAL CONSPIRACY.
In October, 1870. was asked the meaning OF q
report concerning q political understanding be-
tween Sewell and myself which took place at tho
Continental Hotel, Philadelphia, in December pre-
ceding Expressing great surprise. asked for the
story and the source of the information. was re-
ferred to Senator Theodore f. Randolph then
iying)for further information, and to him ad'
dressed the following letter.
NEw-YoRK, October 81, 1879.
''H DEAR SIR: A friend has just Informed that
alleged between General W. j. sewel and
myself the Continental Hotel In Pniladeiphla cary Ia
also advised Ii been reported to you some months
aeo-and that the purpor OF that conversation wasa
and YOU yourself and ia the interest OF the Republican
party and especially sewells political ambitions. Per.
false and sanerous accusation for even one day instead
OF months without giving me chance OF defence then
am greatly disappointed I'm your feelings toward me-
Wsout regard to its effect ur me personally eer
anly conclude that party interests cannot DC GenenseI
YOU know OF such reports To say tue least should
have acted otherwise II our positions were reversed
and am left conjecture respecting the identity oI nsr
DEG S he grossly . to the Identity Of
tue parsons accused or he IL MOST de esPcaple s,sn
To that General a. sey aha Time or place held any such
conversation false hell To tins effect my denial
sSe ans tnt NJ Hotel the December and
At no other time during the month Now II this De ne
as the fa6rcaor of this story that It Is not and wtaoas
lied %a OF fo ae hs he did not
wait for verication Of his story until some proofs OF
my hde " Se subject matter Of this letter trust YOU
viii recognize the Injustice Of withholding longer the
facts and leave me to deal with the author.
Resp't your obt sept' q, p,,,,sox
Senator Randolph called upon ME few days
later anologizad for not at once replying to my
ietter-pooh- poohed the whole matter as absutd-
and while he admitted he had on certain occasion
spoken Of the story as political ra hue mnS ni and
would not again speak Of it even to me. ! wanted
NV name connected with no more incidents OF TINS
Kind aud so informed him. Except to make ths
h;stnrv complete, would not have used the above
letter here or IL any way referred to the deceased
Senator. -, IT,. -. hoor d,s,,;sso.,
from INV mind until i'll October, 1880; In the very
midst OF the Presidential campaign OF that yeas
(which this conspirator as chairman OIL .nofug .no o.fyg
Committee was charged to bring to q successiui
issne1 was informed for the hrst time IN serious
and. thought. threatening manner by Henry Y;
Kelsey of this alleged combination between scweh
and myself. date and place this time being gwen,
but tue name of the public bcleiactor VINO naa
reported the story withheld demanded, witnods "d
snccess however, the name OF the accuser. and
that no injury might be done the canvass then IN
nroaress so soon as ended, tue publication OF tho
charges , s.,.- o,,,r,rt of tba
adioining room on the Continental Hotel register.
p III Watson of Ohio, the register said was the
man addressed to him also letter statiny AZ
% 4 vas nermitted to know, and demanding II he had
made such statement to give the same AZ once
fuIl publicity This letter for safety OF dellveIy
sent Through Hugh j. Jewett az the time presidens
% of ,he Erie Railroad To this letter received no
reply: A.. sorrcs of NV information. to me
always suspicious one, periorce. this charge was
fnii ~ meaning and began TO look TO my ammu'
milton. in short, to investigate myself. ana tnS
circumstances proved very tbst b my Visit
to philadephia at the date aforesaid. the 9niY
on. made by me during the entire wlnter-as SCI.
dom stop there at al-was fora tworoiG ~ ,SS
hotel in the daytime. and for that purpose teIe
graphed for room l26 being nssigneul anu ~ ho,
a hpsiness meeting in the evening, not III the hnteL
The 6rst meeting failed to reach, but was IN tlmc
for the second did not visit the room ~ OF any
room at ALL but left the house y az .scomd engage
mcnt M u' Disappointing number of political friends
who notified Of my coming TO asan that
phia ana w,an'II. M Late train 20 New-York reaching
night Lsfors ws"s on dasst and here
ali the ponderosty Of parteulary that Gd chiiS IGs
,naet (,eneral Sewell or any man, woman OF chuo
inoe. i; n oa Continental Hotel. Philadelphia, on
December the 5th 1878. either during the Gay 1e
night. Nor have ever met General seweIl ptor q
nha or elsewhere for the object and purpose a.
charged. " ,, -, ,o,n, . concentration
.is pI had earned the right to suspect that was
hsy,1g y made the victim of a conspiracy. and making
un sliownnce for thedeath aud forgetuncss OF meIs
prudence dictated additional saissu;s say;no Gentle