The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-22

Objects to Certain Statements In
Senator Sherman's Book.
PURCHASE OF THE NEGRO VOTE
Indignantly Denied by the
Michigan Statesman.

DETROIT, Nov. 2e.-GenerasR. A. Alger
has written a lengthy letter to the Detroit
Tribune In reply to Senator John Sher-
mans charges against the generals
friends, as contained in the second volume
of Sherman's recollections.
The writer quotes Senator Sherman's
language, in which Sherman, in referring
20 the circumstances of the contest in the
Republican national convention Of 1883,
wrote: II believe, and had, as 1 thought,
conclusive proof that the friends OF Gem
eral Alger substantially purchased the
votes Of many of n delegates from the
southern states who had been instructed
by their conventions to-vote for me-"
He also quotes Senator Sherman's asser-
ton to the effect that, although he had
learned with complaisance Of the explana-
tions OF the wavering Of the Ohio and
New York delegations from his (Sher-
man's) support, ''the only feeling OF
resentment / entertained, was In regard to
the action Of the friends6f General AlgG
in tempting with money N9or negroes to
violate the instructions of <heir oonstitu-
ents."
In reply to these quotations, General
Alger says that he should not have in
truded this matter upon the public were
IL not for tho fact that 10 appeared that
General Sherman had gone out of his way
TO insult his (Alger's) friends, as well as
himself. "What he writes" says Alger,
would be less Objectionable were it not
that the second word in the first para
graph is written In tho present tense"
General sherman's Characteristic Epistle.
General Alger says that when the sem
ator's charges were first made-immedi-
ately after the conyention-he was espe-
cially distressed, because OF the warm
friendship existing between himself and
family with General Sherman and family.
In view of this, he wrote General Sher-
man, assuring him SAat there was no
foundation for the IT, 81 that he
had not replied to them on account, first,
of the age OF the senator; second, OF his
great name, and third, because of the in
jury such talk would do the party.
General sherman, in reply, wrote:
assure you that / entertain for you the
same sentiment OF respect and affection as al
ways. II anything ever shook my faith In
YOU, IL was that you stopped 10 the level of a
politician. A soldier OF repute. a gentleman,
and one who has such n family and business
as General Aiger ought 10 hold himself above
that level. But this Is eminently a free coun-
try, and you had "a good a right to enter tho
race IA had John Sherman. You made a good
show OF votes, and IL you bought some, accord
ing to universal usage, surely Idon't blame
you.
I laughed az John Sherman for trying to
throw of on anybody. He was fairly beaten
at the convention, and l congratulated him on
his escape. / frankly answer your inquiry by
saying that my friendship toward you has not
been shaken in the least. that I wish you all
nonor and happiness and during my short re-
mainder we may often meet here or on the
Pacific. With great respect, etc,
w. Il. SHERMAN.
p. S.-Best love 70 tho family.
Continuing, General Alger says that
during the excitement Of 'S5 he paid little
attention TO the reports In question, as
nothing had appeared over Senator Sher-
mans name, but that now the case is diff
ferent.
He then gives an analysis Of tho south
ern votes received by sherman and him
self Mt tie- Chicago convention. Accord
ing to this showing, Senator sherman, on
the fifth ballot (the one in which .Alger
received the highest number of votes), re-
ceived 100 votes from southern states,
against Ayers 90, not including, how
ever, % votes from Arkansas and Missouri
which were voluntarily pledged to Alger
under the leadership, respectively, of Gen
seral Powell Clayton and Chauncey /.
Filley.
Preferred Soldier to Civilian.
or the other 90, General Alger writes
that more than half of them had served
In the Union or southern armies during
the war, and IL wa not unnatural that
they should prefer a soldier To "a civilian.
Many of these people l know personally"
The general mentions a list OF soldiers
n other friends OF his among these dele
gates whom he concludes naturally used
their utmost endeavors with their rcspec-
tive delegates in his behalf, and adds:
'sNo delegate or friend who went TO
Chicago in my behalf, or voted for me Mt
the convention, ever asked for or received
a single pledge from pc for money or for
any Office
General Alger relates instances OF the
friendship between himself and the seu-
ator OF late years, and OF assurances given
him by Sherman that while his disap-
pointment had been great, no did not be-
lieve that Algcr had any part in the
Scramble for votes, etc, in SO. Alger also
quotes an autograph letter written him
by Senator Sherman in 1892, In which the
latter reasserts: II cherish no prejudice
or unkindness for the incident of the ma
tional convention OF 1888.
"In conclusion" writes General Alger.
al will only add that IL Senator Sherman
is willing to leave n record made up
largely OF adverse criticisms OF the public
men Of his day, many OF whom have
passed from earth, he is welcome to the
task. i am sure he stands alone among
our public men who would be willing by
his own act to blight tho honorable
record of the living and the dead"
A letter from James Lewis, colored, OF
New Orleans, is appended, stating that the
writer voted for Alger in the $50 conven-
ton as second choice TO Sherman, and
denying that negro delegates were In the
habit of selling their votes.
A. r.. A. In Evidence.
LOWELL, Mass, Nov. 22.-.The Republi.
can caucuses held last night were carried