The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1904-11-08
JUDGE PARkER,s FAREWELL.

| JUDGE zPARkER'S FAREWELL.
Judge Parker's answer 10 the frank
and emphatic letter of President
Roosevelt is precisely what the intel
| 1igent part Of the public expected. a
| reiteration of the infamous Cortelyou
! SANDER, without scintilla Of evidence
| or an attempt to give it FEASIBILITY.
His assertion that he directed his
| campaign committee not to accept the
contributions of corporations is as
tonishing because of the known facts.
He may have issued such orders, but
in view of his reckless tatements
the public will require stronger proof
than his ipse dixit- There is a con-
venient way of issuing orders, prac-
ticed sometimes by corporations as
well as individuals, and that is. to tell
employees that the order is to do SO
and SO, but they must exercise their
judgment. This will account for the
heavy contribution to the Democratic
campaign fund by two of the biggest
trusts in the United States. Judge
his imaginary pinnacle, must have
known of these gifts, at least by impli-
cation: his assertion is therefore dis
tinctly disingenuous
The offense of Judge Parker is not
in charging that the trusts have made
contributions to the Republican cam
paisn fund That has been charged
against both parties, some of these
trusts having considered it expedient
at times to give to the fund of both
parties. There are two reasons for
such contributions: One is that they
want to be on the winning side, and
the other is that they wish to support
that party which in their judgment
will administer public affairs for the
best interests of the country. In the
present campaign both reasons prob
ably exerted an influence. From the
outset unprecedented persons would
forecast the success of the Republican
ticket. and aside from craftsmanship
there can be little doubt concerning
the superiority of Republican admin
istration. On general principles,
therefore, if the trusts wanted favors
OF an equivocaI character it would be
more natural for them to support the
Democratic party, which is sorely in
need of such assistance. than the Re
publican party, which is sure of sue
cess.
But the sravamen of Judge Parker's
attack lies in the insidious hint that
there is a conspiracy formed by the
President. MIR. Cortelyou and the
trusts. by which the latter. in case of
the Republican victory, are to be pro
tectcd. II might be an ingenious were
there any doubt in the public mind
concerning either President Roose-
welt or Mr.. Corte1you. The effcrt to
prevent their actions or defame them
might make an impression on some
minds were it not that the Presidents |
light shines as clear as MONDAY sun.
ana all the people have seen it and |
know it, while Mr.. Cortelyou has been
axtolled by every Democratic paper in
tie country, and the excellence of his;
selection as chairman of the Repub1i-
can campaign committee applauded
Such men do not become suddenl..-
base, and the desperate eleventr-honr
1ings of disappointed candidate can
not make them so.
This final performance of Judge
Parker, his farewell to his deluded
'o1lowers, on the eve of his permanent
.etirement by the Overwhelming vote
IF the American people, is not an
edifying one. He was at the outset
IF the campaign strong in his appeal
or the Punishment of personalities
md it would have been well for him
md his party had be. continued in
he same mind He would have been
defeated; but it would have been j