The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1902-07-04
l776---l9O2.
DEMOCRATIC ATTACK ON Mr.,
FOWLER.

Inc w dSnlURUOu, N. D., OtdI 6Vl-
IDENTIFY feels that the Democrats have
weak case in this Congressional Dis
trict and it has begun early to abuse
the other side. While it processes to
be greatly afraid of a campaign of
corruption on both sides, it evidently
has no scruples about starting cam
paign of libel on its own side. If the
Star has any proof of the statements
it makes concerning the Hon. Charles
N Fowler, it should be produced. On
the other hand, if the Star villifies a
man of National repute by making
false and unfounded statements it
makes itself public enemy.
The Star first says. 1.-The Hon.
Charley Fowler is heavily interested
in the Standard Oil Trust !" That,
in itself is not a libelous statement,
but taken in connection with the in.
situation which we shall quote later,
is designed to hold Mr.. Fowler up to
public odium. If the Star had put itself
the facts it could easily have ascer-
tanned that Congressman Fowler has
not the slightest interest in that
trust. Whether it invented the state
ment or merely used the invention of
another without producing reasonable
proof the Star stands convicted of a
t,rOcc mis- cta tamant of foot
The Star next goes on to say "Any-
one who is acquainted with the meth
DDS of Congressman Charles N.
Fowler in election campaigns knows
that he has shamefully employed his
great wealth in accomplishing his
political ends, y Now does the Star
know ANYONE who is acquainted
with the methods of Congressman
Charles N. Fowler" who can mention
% single corrupt act done by him ?
If so, let us have the facts. If
the Star had gone to the city where
Mr.. Fowler lives and is we'll known,
and had made its investigation
among people who are cognizant of
the facts, either Republicans or DEM
oorats, it would have received a unan-
imous testimony that Mr. Fowler
has a clean record and is an honest
man and the same testimony is borne
by his colleagues in Congress, If
Mr., Fowler's neighbors are mistaken
and deceived as to his true character
il Is the duty of the Star to enlighten
them by producing its evidence
The Star concludes its attack as
follows When Charley Fowler came
Ont of the west seventeen years ago
he was clean busted Today he is
worth millions and the greater part
Of it has been gathered together with
il the last eight years. Dare the Re-
publican managers explain how Mr..
Fowler secured his great wealth."
The answer to this is that if Mr..
Fowler had not got his wealth in a
reputable manner, he could not still
bear the reputation he does for homes
IS. Does the Star know of a single
dollar that Mr.. Fowler has ever or
tanned by questionable or dishonest
means? If it does, the public ought
TO know it, and at once.
AS we have indicated, it is up to
the Washington Star to prove not by
argument but by evidence, the truth
Of its statements and insinuations.
If it cannot do this it is its bounden
duty to the public to withdraw it's
statements and apologize for them 1t
may be that the Star has been i'm
posed upon by some unscrupulous
person. In that case it will be the
more easy for it to deny its I'M
founded aspersions.