Omaha daily bee., 1908-10-28
MIR. SHERMAN EXPLAINS CHARGE
Nothing Irregular In Business DenI
Which Wa Never Contaminated.

UTICA, n. Y, Oct. 27.-Before leaving
here this afternoon to resume his speak
ing tour through the state, James 8. Sher-
man, republican vice presidential cAndi-
date, gave cut a statement dealing with
the charges made public today to the eff
feet that Mr.. Sherman had been involved
in an attempted deal in government timber
lands in New Mexico, with one Edmund
Burke and others, the company which they
had formed seeking to obtain possession
through sharp practice at a low figure OF
millions of dollars worth OF valuable tim
Der.
Mr.. Sherman's statement is as follows:
My attention has been called to a sem
~sational article in today's New York World
making charges against me in connection
with the New Mexico Lumber and Devel-
Opment company, a corporation which has
not been in existence for some years. A
careful reading shows that the charges,
stance whatever. and as to my connection
with the enterprise the fullest possible in
vcstigation and publicity are courted.
The fact about 1t briefly is that some
years since Mr.. Burke presented a propo-
sition involving the purchase Of timber
lands in New Mexico, which were not
ton of a railroad. There were ten gentle
men, / think, who gave $500 each to form
a company and investigate the project.
Experts were employed to inspect the
property. Some Of us investigated the
lands, so there was no secret about It.
And on the other hand the local papers
had much to say OF Il at the time.
After looking into the matter carefully
and at length we decided hat the lands
available would not yield a 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 MS and our pros
pective connection with the enterprise was
ended.
ITnNNaA E1 afEg npnnnTfW uTag nnnRaFnan with
1t In any way. There was no secrecy about
IL and no need for any. | 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
before or after our Investigation of the
property | do not know, and II he or any
] body else attempted any bribery business
It was without the knowledge, consent or
approval Of myself or any Of my associates
M the investigation.
My secretary Acknowledged the receipt Of
Mr.. Burke's letter OF August Q, signing my
scnce. He showed me Mr.. BuTke's letter
on my return, and knowing there was moth
ing in the transaction on my part to apollo
gize for | paid no more attention to II.
The whole affair was purely a legitimate
private enterprise. which as business men
We Investigated and turned down half a
dozen years ago,
II may he OF Interest In this connection to
say that later MI. Burke wrote me saying
he was being pressed 10 make statements
which would be calculated TO injure me,
and asked me TO see him in Chicago on a
date when ! was billed to speak there.
That letter was not even acknowledged,
because / had nothing to pay or promise
to prevent the disclosure OF any public or
private act OF mine.
II he has found a market for the wares
the incident must go along with what |
suppose is 10 be expected in the last week
of a campaign.