The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-11-10
Issues an Open Letter in An
swer to Judge Parker.
DENIES ALL ALLEGATIONS
Says vehemently That, No Trust Has
-. Received Any Promise from the
= administration-Dubs Charges
as Wickediy False.

"A. Washington special says: Presl-
dent Roosevelt: Friday, made. assigned
statement to the. American people in'
+ answer to the charge, made against
himself and Mi. coftelqou IN publ:
speeches BY Mr.. Parker the den demo: ::
cratic. candidate for. the presidency.
In part he says: 49,, .
Certain .isianderous accusations as
| to Mr.. %Cortelyou and myself have
been repeated time~. and again Oy
Judge Parker, the candidate OF, his
party for the Office of president. He
neither has produced nor can produce
any proof of, their truth; yet he has
not withdrawn them. and as his posi-
ton gives them wide curreacy,I speak
now lest the silence Of self-fespect be
misunderstood. - -: - NJ
"Mr. Parker's charges are in efe:t
t that the president of the United
! States and Mr. Cortelyou, formerly
Mr.. Cleyeland's executive clerk, then
Mr. McKinley's and my secretary, then
secretary of commerce and labor, and
+ now. chairman of. the, republican ma
tional committee, have been in a cod
spiracy to biackmaii corporations, Me-
Cortelyou using bis knowledge gained
while he was secretary Of the depart.
ment OF commerce and labor to exto-s
money from the corporations, and I.
| the president, having appointed him
for this especial purpose.
"Mr: .Parker's assertion is in effect
that such contributors have been
made for improper motives, either in
consequence of threats or in in conse-
quence of improper promises, direct
or indirect, on the par Of the rec'7r
tents.
"Mr. Parker's accusations against
Mr.. CorteIyou and myself are mon.
strous. If true they would brand both
Of us forever with infamy, and mas.
much, as they are false, heavy must -be
| the condemnation Of the man. making
| them. I chose Mr.. Cortelyou as chair
man Of the national committee after
failing successfully to persuade ElinI
Root, W. Murray Crane and Cornelius
N. Bliss to accept the pc.tion. I chose
him with, extreme reluctance, because
l could i'll spare him from the cabi.
net. But I felt that he possessed the
| high integrity which I demanded in
/ the man who was to manage my cam.
paign.
Il am content that Mr. Parker and
1 should be judged by the public Oh
the characters of the TWO men whom
we chose to manage our campaigns,
he by the character Of his nominee,
Thomas Taggart, and 1 by the charac.
ter Of Mr.. Cortelyou. The asserti n
that Mr.. Cortelyou mad any knowledge
gained while in any official position
| whereby he was enabled to secure and
did secure any contribution from auv
corporation is falsehood. The asse:-
ton that there has been any black
mail, direct or indirect, by Mr. Cortel
you or by me is a falsehood. The as.
sertion that there had been made In
nv behalf and by my authority, by Mr..
Cortelyou or by an one else, anv
pledge or promise as to future immur.
itiees or benefits, in recognition OF
any contribution, from any source, Is
a wicked falsehood.
THAT Mr.. Parker should desire -
avoid the discussion of principles I
can takes refuge not merely in PEI.
bare truth to say that he has not at
tackled us on any matter Of principle
or upon any action Of the government
save after first misstating that princi.
pie or that action. t.. .. ..'.
But I cannot understand how any
honorable man, a candidate for the
highest office in the gift Of the people.
can takee refuge not merely in per-
sonalities, but in such base and un'
worthy personalities"