New-York tribune., 1901-10-23
MR.. SHEPARD STIRRED UP,
NO, HE WILL NOT TALK POLITICS, But
HE ALLOWS his TYPEWRITER TO
DISCOURSE A LITTLE.

Fromme, John r Carroll John B. Sexton and
other Tammany district leaders was shorter
yesterday than usual, but it was none the less
cordial from the district leaders end. When
he appeared, at few minutes before O'CLOCK
colored attendant grabbed his overcoat ana
darted away with IL; Charlie Weisz, the head
doortender, grasped him by the arm and ex-
citedly pushed him through the tobacco smoke
TO a curtained recess, where Mr.. Fromme and
Mr.. Carroll and Mr.. Sexton were consulting
People of the right brand were then one by one
summoned to the inner recess for introductlons
and greetings Mr. Fromme never gets tired of
Shaking hands with Mr.. Shepard and asking
him about his health, and telling him that he's
looking out o. sight" Some of the callers were
wauhope Lynn, Charles w. Dayton. candidate
for Supreme Court Justice; Daniel F. McMahon
and Councilman Goodwin.
Mr. Shepard for the first time yesterday
showed asperity at the interrogations of the re-
porters. He started out after his nomination
by making rule that he would not answer any
questions pertaining to politics, or with rel
erence to people he had conferred with The
reporters sometimes become so excited over the
startling political sensations which Mr.. Shepard
doIes out that many of them fancy they are
picking pineapples off the top of the north pole
Now gentlemen fire away" said Mr.. Shep-
ard with the same sort of confident smile as
the one worn by the celebrated Casey at the
Bat"
Mr.. Shepard. do you believe in the segrega-
tion of vice."
That is a question which will concern the ad-
rninistration of the Police Department and the
mayoralty, and whatever I have to say about
it will be said in my speeches"
Going to appoint your heads Of departments
after you are elected without reference to the
leaders who support you?'
Now" said Mr. Shepard somewhat testify,
'T want you to put this answer down just as
I give IT. and tell your editor that have made
a rule to answer no questions concerning poll
tics Put the answer down. and tell your editor
that. please. so that it will not be necessary 10
ask me such a question again. I shall have no
answers on questions OF political policy"
Having slashed off the tentacles OF this giant
soutd. and dumped his bleeding carcass over
board. the candidate paused for other assail-
ants The next Interrogation pirate wanted to
know:
''Mr Shepard. you a member Of the New
York Bar Association. That association last
week, after investigating the record of Mayor
Van Wyck, declared him unfit candidate for
Supreme Court Justice. DO you indorse that
verdict?"
"I have absolutely nothing to say about the
action of the Bar Association" said Mr.. Shep-
ard.
The Excise and Civil Service pirates were
throttled by Mr.. Shepard. and their inquiries
lust about the same as died on their clenched
teeth so 10 speak
Commissioner Sexton looked proudly at Mr..
Shepard. and Ike" Frommes face beamed with
almost supernatural joy.
Another political pirate clambered aboard the
craft from the port side, and asked:
''slr Shepard, Mr. Coler. in his speech at
Military Hall. in Williamsburg, last night, said:
IF / did not think Edward NJ Shepard stood
for a reorganization OF the Democratic party in
the city and State I would not support him.
What we want to know is, do you stand for
that?"
Now" said Mr. Shepard with warmth, 81
ask you, as a reporter what do you think OF
question like that yourself? What is your own
Interpretation OF it?"
MY Interpretation is Of no account" said the
unabashed pirate. its what you say about it
that counts?"
Well" said Mr.. Shepard, II shall not discuss
anything of that kind"
How do you stand on public ownership of
municipal franchises"
Il should regard that a question with
which the Mayor after he is elected may have
TO do Either I am dull. gentlemen, you re-
porters lack perspicacity"
At this several of the news pirates looking
around for political bones jumped overheard
and SWAN ashore
How are you going to treat the newspaper
men at the City Hall?" said one man before he
jumped.
with very great respect" said Mr.. Shepard
Then the reporting pirates. leaving dismem-
bered limbs and gouts of gore, quit the scene
and Mr. Shepard was alone with his thoughts
and like" Fromme.
Before he left his home in Brooklyn yesterday
Mr.. Shepard had something TO say concerning
q portion of his Clermont Avenue Rink speech.
Some of the newspapers interpreted his speech
as being a coat of whitewash for Devery and
Murphy Mr.. Shepard was SO anxious shnt ;, to set set
pared answers 10 three things which he saw In
the morning papers
II observe in one of the morning papers"
referring TO my speech last night, and reading
thus: 'Ridicules Vice Charges did not last
charges. / am, 1 think. wellnigh the last man
to indulge in such ridicule. The presence of vice
in this metropolis. as in other great cities. is
terrible and grewsome fact presenting a prob
lem whose importance is only equalled by its
difficulty. The problem has been taken up with
ability and wise and faTseeing humanity by
seif-sacriicing men and women engaged in the
noble and fruitful work of charities In the
different parts of NewYork, some of them re-
.igious or sectarian and some not, but all de-
serving the reverent and vigorous support or
good citizens.
The next answer had 10 DO with report that
cx-President Cleveland had written letter Of
Endorsement of Mr.. Shepard's candidacy, and
that this would be used in few days. In an
sWer to this Mr.. Shepard's typewriter self
said:
81 have nothing to say of ex-President Cleve-
land. The name and fame Of that very great
American are part of the heritage of the whole
country. and he should not, in his honored re-
tirement be asked to enter either directly or
Indirectly, into this or any other strictly mu-
nicipal contest"
Answer No 3 killed an interesting story that
Mr. Shepard had contributed S25 900 to his own
ar3rc fzrraa tan