New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-07-08
ARTENUS j. SMITH TO THE PUBLIC
RUSSELL sAGE's PROTECTOR LAMENTs THE
INGRATTTUDE OF MAN.


When krtemus j. Smith who frightened Mrs
Russell Sage by writing her letter in which he
told her that her husbands life threatened
and afterward explained to the police that the
threatener was a lawyer who was about to be
evicted. read in the papers yesterday morning the
denial Of Clarence Ladd-Davis that he was the
lawyer referred to- though he fitted Mr. Smiths
description to nicely, Mr.. Smith sat down and
denied II. too.
He put It in the form OF typewriter statement
handed copies of 1t to the reporters who called, and
refused 10 say another word on the subject. In
this statement Mr. Smith sticks to his original story
and to his wise determination not to reveal the
lawyers name. Here is the statement:
To the Public: In justice to all who have been
brought into this matter by its unfortunate pub
cation and to set myself right in the eyes of my
FirstLThat certain newspapers have placed words
in my mouth and have made me say things which
ed and distorted that which did say, and. there
fore about half OF what has been published should
Second nave steadtasty refused to disclose the
name OF the person referred TO IN my letter TO- Mrs
achieved the object which / sought TO bring about
privately To disclose his Identity now would ;U b be
business, which would take years to live down
except to satisfy the curiosity and cupIdity Q! the
public, while It would practically blast the lie of
dangerous man. This has taught him lesson
which he Will never forget and VIII disillusionze
N Mond Pf pro6aby eSd to his arrest and cause him
great deal OF annoyance and trouble, besides SUI;
10 the mntter-the very thing which | sought TO
avoid in the beginning.
especially The sun" that MIR Clarence Ladd Davis
is the person referred TO IL wholly unwarranted
on their part. Save for some paraelisms and that
he is my friend. they have no reason for making
such assumptions. wish to exonerate him from
any completely In this matter. 1t grieves me eX-
ceedlnsly that his name has been mentioned. as Il
do him considerable harm.
wish TO say that acted entirely In good faith. be-
eving that danger 10 Mr. Sage was imminent. |
wished to warn Mr.. Sage. and at the same time 70
ice There only three things that l might
have done. viz, % to inform the police OF the
to Mr. Sage. and 90 to send a general note OF
warning, keeping the details for a personal inter.
view Aer several Gays Q, 20 " he
peculiar situation in which | was placed ! took
pains inclose my business card and TO identify
/ am well aware that such men as Mr. Sage. In
the course OF year receive many letters, making
all sorts OF demands upon them, but II seems to
me that. having taken the pains did 10 Identify
myself and TO give my address. Mr.. Sage did me a
great Injustice by making this matter public with
send representative TO see me. But that Is some
times the case In this world: In seeking to do an
other kindness gets only trouble for his pains
| wish to say further that. as the matter has
turned out, my judgment may have been bad. but
Ind my letter been acted upon as had reason to
believe IL would. act OF courtesy from one
gentleman to another. the result would have been
attained without any publicity and been much more
satisfactory 10 all parties concerned As TO the
suggestion Of backma my reputation for truth
and honesty and my business and social standing
should be sufficient to eTGnerate me IRON any sHS
IL distinctly understood that the matter IL closed as
far as am concerned.
At the ONCE OF Russell Sage yesterday It was
said that he intended to let the matter drop