The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-11-05

Washington, Nov. president Roose.
welt, late last night, made the follow
ing signed statement to the American
people in answer to the charges against
him and Chairman Cortelyou Of the re-
publican national committee by Judge
Parker, democratic candidate for pres
ident: 49,
"White House, Washington, Nov. ..
n se1f and M with
have been repeated time and again by
Judge Parker, the candidate Of the
democratic party for the presidency.
He neither has produced, nor can pro-
duce, any proof of their truth, yet he
has not withdrawn them, and as his
speak now, lest the silence Of self-re-
spect he misunderstood: -,
: 8 Mr. Parker's charges are, In effect,
that the president Of the United States
and Mr.. .Cortelyou, formerly Mr.. Cleye-
land executive clerk, then Mr.. Nc
Kinley,'s and my secretary, then secre-
tary Of commerce and labor, and now
chairman of the republican national
committee, have been. in conspiracy
to blackmail corporations, Mr.. Cortel
you using his knowledge gained while
he was secretary Of the department. of
commerce and labor to extort money
from the corporations; and I, the pres
AOCACi having oPPO1AVOu AAAA AoA ShAC
especial purpose. ~
-~. Gravamen of Charges.
ts"The gravamen of these charges lies
in the assertion that the corporations
have been blackmailed into contrib
uting, and in the implication, which in
have taken the form practically Of an
assertion that they have been promised
certain immunities or favors, or have
been assured that they would receive
some kind Of improper consideration in
view Of their contributions. That con-
tributions have been made to the res
have been made to the democratic COM
mittee, is not the question at issue.
Mr.. Parker's assertion is in effect that
such contributions have been made for
improper motives, either in consequences
Of threats or in consequence Of inn
proper promises, direct or indirect, on
! the part Of the recipients. ~
Mr.. Parker knows best whether this
| is true Of the contributions to his cam
paign fund, which have come thru his
| trusted friends and advisers who rep
resent the great corporate interests
that stand behind him. But there is
/ not one particle Of truth in the state
ment as regards anything that has gone
on in the management Of the republican
campaign. h
Accusations Monstrous.
"Mr. Parker Is accusations against Nh,
| Cortelyou and me are mOnstrous. ii
ever with infamy; and inasmuch as they
are false, heavy must be the condemna.
| ton of the man making them. I chose
Mr.. Cortelyou as chairman of the ma
tional committee after having failed
successfully to persuade Elihu Root, w.
Murray Crane and Cornelius n. Bliss to
accept the position, I chose him with
extreme reluctance, because could i'll
spare him from the cabinet. But I felt
that he possessed the high integrity
which 1 demanded in the man who was
to manage my campaign. &
should be Judged by the public in the
characteristics of the two men whom we
chose to manage our campaigns; he by
the character Of his nominee, Thomas
/ Taggart, and [ by the character of Mr..
| Corfelyou. The assertion that Mr.. Cor
4 official position whereby he was en-
! abled to secure and did secure any cont
tributions from any corporation is a
falsehood. The assertion that there has
been any blackmail, direct, or indirect,
by Mr.. ,Gortelyou, or by me is a false
been made in my behalf and by my au--
thority by Mr.. Cortelyou or by anyone
else any pledge or promise, or that there
has been any promise as to future i'm.
munities or benefits in recognition OF
any contribution from any source is q
wicked falsehood.
!, Base Personalities.
ttThat Mr.. Parker should desire to
!. avoid the discussion of principles 4
can we'll understand; for it is but the
! bare truth to say that he has not at
tackled us on any natter Of principle OF
upon any action Of the government
, save after first misstating that princi,
, pie or that action. But cannot under
stand how any honorable man, candi.
!. date for the highest office in the gift
!. Of the people, can take refuge not mere,
!. Nv in personalities, but in such base and
unworthy personalities.
elf I deemed it necessary to support
my fiat denial by any evidence would
ask all men of common sense to .ponde11
! we'll what has been done in this cam
). paign by Mr.. Cortelyou and to compars
: It with what Mr.. Parker himself die
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