The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1895-11-22

DETROIT, Mich, Nov. 21.-Gen. R. A.
Alger has written lengthy letter to
the Detroit Tribune in reply to Sens-
tor John Sherman's charges against
the generals friends ns contained in
the second volume of "Shermsn's Re.
collections" The writer quotes Senator
Sherman's language. in which Sher-
man, in referring to the circums tances
attending the contest in the national
convention Of 1888. wrote: III believe,
and had. as I thought, conclusive proof
that the friends OF General Alger sub.
stantially purchased the votes OF many
of the delegates from the Southern
States who had been Instructed by
their conventions to vote for me-"
He also quotes Senator Sherman's
assertion to the effect, that although he
had learned with plaisancs of the
explanations OF the wavertDg of the
Ohio and New York delegs ton from his
(Sherman's) support, that "rhe only
feeling of resentment entertained was
In regard to the action Of the friends of
Gen. Alger in tempting with money
poor negroeo to violate the instruct lions
OF their constituents"
In reply TO these questions, Gen.
Alger says that he should not have not
1ntruded this matter upon the public
were II not for the fact that it appeared
Senator Sherman had gone oas OF the
way to insult his (Alger's) friends, as
we'll himself.
what he writes" says Alger, "would
be less objectionable were it not that
the second word in the first paragraph
Is written in tho present tense"
General AlRer says that when the
Sena tor's charges were first mad q, i'm
mediately after the convention he way
especially distresssd because of the
warm friendship existing between him.
self and family and Gen. w. II. Sher-
man and family In view of this he
wrote General Sherman, assuring him
that there was no foundation for the
charges and that he had not replied to
them on account, FIST, OF the age OF the
Senator, second his great name and third
because OF the injury such talk would
do the party.
Gen. Sherman in reuly wrote:
II assure you that entertain for YOU
the same sontimens of respecs and affec.
tiou rs always. II anything ever nhook
my faith In you 10 was that you stopped
to tho level of IS politician, A soldier of
repute, a gentleman and one who has
such family aud business az Gen.
Anger ouRhs TO hold himeelf above that
level. But this Is eminently o free
country and you had as good righs to
enter the race AZ had John Sherman.
You made good chow of votes and IL
you bought some, according to universal
usage, surely l don't blame you.
laughed nt John for trying to throw of
on anybody. He vas fairly beaten at
the convention and congratulated him
on his escape l frankly answer your
inquiry by saying that my friendship to
you has not been shaken In the least;
that wish you all honor and happiness
and that during my short remainder we
may Olsen meet here or on the Pacli,.
with great respect, etc,
"W. T. SHERMAN
Continuing, General Alger saws that
during the excitement of 'SS ne paid
little attention to the repor,s in cues
ton, as nothing had appet red over Sem
htor Sherman's name, but now the case
Is different. He then gives On analysis
OF Southern votes received by Senator
Sherman and himself at the Chicago
convention. The General mentions
list Of soldiers and other friends of his
among these delegates whom, he con-
oludes, naturally used their utmost en-
deavors with their respective delegates
in his behalf, and adds: mo delegate or
friend who went to Chicago in my be-
half, or voted for me at the convention,
ever asked for, or received, single
pledge from me for money or for any
Office"
General A)ger relates instances of the
friendship between himself and the
senator of late years and of assurances
given him by Sherman that. while bis
disappointment has been great, he did
nos believe that Alger had any part in
tne scramb BILE for votes, etc in 1883.
hiRer also quotes an autograph letter
written him by Senator Sherman in
1897 In which the latter reasserts: 81
cherish no prejudice or unkindness for
the incident OF the national convention
of 1885,"
I'm conclusion" writes General AL
ger, II Will only add, that IL Senator
sherman is willing to leave . record
made up largely Of adverse criticisms
OF the public men of his day, many Of
whom have passed from earth, he ia
welcome to the task. 1 am sure he
stands alone among our public men
who would be willing by his own act,
TO blight the honorable record of the
living and tho dead"
a letter from James Lewis, colorsd,
OF New Orleans, is appended, stating
that the writer voted for Alger in the
1883 convention as second choice In
sherman, and denying that negro dele-
gates were in the habit of selling their
votes.