Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-27
SHERMAN NAILS A LIE.

Utica, n. Y, Oct 26.-Beforc leaving
here today. to resume his speaking
tour through the state, James 5. Shcr-
nan. Republican Vice Presidential cam
didate, gave out statement dealing
with charges made public today to the
effect that he was involved in an at
tempted deal in government timber
lands in New Mexico with one Edmund
Burke and others, and that the COM
pany which they had formed sough:
to obtain possession through sharp
practice. at low figure. Of millions of
acres of valuable timber. Mr. Sher-
mans statement is as follows:
MY attention has been called to a
sensational article in today's New
York World making charges against
me in connection with the New Mex
leo Lumber and Development Co.
corporation which hasn't been in ex-
istence for some years. A careful read
ing shows that the charges, SO far as
am concerned, have no substance
whatever, and as to my connection
with the enterprise the fullest possible
investigation and publicity are Courted.
THE fact about 1t briefly is that
some years since Mr.. Burke presented
IL DuslI1eSS luNOISluSs
purchase of timber lands in New Mex
leo. which were not United States
property and the construction of rail-
road. There were 10 gentlemen. think.
who gave $500 each to form a company
and to investigate the project. Elk
rerts were employed to inspect the
property. Some of us visited the
lands, so there was no secret about 1t.
and on the other hand the local papers
had much to say Of it at the time.
after looking into the matter care
fully and at length, we decided that
the lands available would not yield
profit on the railroad construction and
development The plan was abandoned.
the company dissolved. about half the
sum invested was paid back to each of
us. and our prospective connection
with the enterprise was ended.
Not one foot or one dollars worth
Of United States property was con-
cerned with it in any way. There was
no secrecy about it and no need for
any. l never urged the passage of any
such bill as is referred to and The
World article does not say that I did
What Mr.. Burke or anyone else did
lefore or after our investigation Of the
proposition l do not know, and if he or
anybody else attempted the bribery
business it was without the knowledge,
consent or approval of myself of any
of my associates in the investigation.
my secretary acknowledged the re-
ceipt OF Mr. Burke's letter Of Aug. 3.
signing my name as he had the right
to do. in my absence. He showed me
Mr.. Burke's letter on my return and.
knowing there was nothing in tho
transaction on my part to conceal or
apologize for. 1 paid no more attertion
to- it. The whole affair was purely
legitimate private enterprise which, as
business men, we investigated and
turned down half dozen years ago.
1T may be of interest in this connec-
ton to say that later Br. Burke wrote
me. saying he was being pressed to
rake statements which would be cal
culated to injure me and asked me to
see him in Chicago on a date when I
was billed to speak there. That letter
was not even acknowledged. because
l had nothing to pay or promise to pre-
vent the disclosure Of any public or
private act of mine. If he has found
market for the wares. the incident
must 60 along with what I suppose 10
to be expected in the last week Of a
campaign"