The Savannah morning news., 1904-11-05

WdSllAAStOlA, INONs 4--PreS1Qent
Roosevelt tonight made the following
signed statement to the American peo-
pie in answer to the charges made
against himself and Mr.. Cortelyou in
public speech by Mr.. Parker, the Dem
ocratic candidate for the presidency:
White House, Washington, Nov. 4,
19O4.-Certain slanderous accusations
as to Mr.. Cortelyou and myself have
been repeated time and again by
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not withdrawn them; and as his posi-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 currency I speak
now lest the silence of self-respect be
misunderstood.
Mr.. Parker's charges are in effect
that the President of the United
States and Mr.. Cortelyou, formerly
Mr.. Cleveland's executive clerk, then
Mr.. McKinley's and my secretary,
then Secretary of Commerce and La
DUI anu HOW CIdIIldl Ol the lNGDuD-
lican National Committee. have been
in a conspiracy to blackmail corpora
tOns, Mr.. Cortelyou using his knowl-
edge gained while he was Secretary of
the Department of Commerce and La
Dor to extort money from the corpora
tions, and 1, the President, having ap-
pointed him for this especial purpose.
Matchmaking the Charge.
The gravamen of these charges lies
in the assertion that the corporations
have been blackmailed into contribut-
ing, and in the implication which in
one or two of Mr.. Parker's speeches.
has taken the form practically of an
assertion that they have been prom
ised certain immunities or favors or
have been assured that they would re-
ceive some kind of improper considera-
ton in view Of their contributions.
That contributions have been made
to the Republican Committee, as con-
tributions have been made to the
Democratic Committee, is not the
question at issue. Mr.. Parker's as
sertion is in effect that such contri-
buttons have been made for improper
motives, either in consequence of
threats or in consequence of improper
promises, direct or indirect, on the part
of the recipients. Mr.. Parker knows
best whether this is true of the con-
tributions to his campaign fund which
have come through his trusted friends
and advisers who represent the great
corporate interests that stand behind
him. But there is not one particle of
truth in the statement as regards any
thing that has gone on in the manage
ment Of the Republican campaign.
MOnstrOus, He Declares.
Mr.. Parker's accusations against
Mr.. Cortelyou and 1 are monstrous.
If true they would brand both of us
forever with infamy; and, inasmuch as
they are false, heavy must be the con-
demnation of the man making them.
1 chose MIR. Cortelyou as chairman of
the National Committee after having
failed successfully to persuade Mr..
Elihu Root, Mr.. w. Murray Crane and
Mr.. Cornelius N. Bliss to accept the
position. 1 chose him with extreme
reluctance. because l could i'll spare
him from the cabinet. But / felt that
he possessed the high integrity which
l demanded in the man who was to
manage my campaign.
Il am content that Mr.. Parker and
l should be judged by the public on
the cha "a ofare of fha two man whom
we chose to manage our campaigns; he
by the character of his nominee Mr..
Thomas Taggart, and by the charac-
ter of Mr.. Cortelyou. The assertion
that Mr.. Cortelyou had any knowledge
gained while in any official position,
whereby he was enabled to secure and
did secure, any contribution from any
corporation, is a falsehood.
The assertion that there has been
any blackmail. direct or indirect, by
Mr.. Cortelyou or by me, is falsehood.
The assertion that there has been made
Mr.. Cortelyou or by any one else. any
pledge or promise or that there has
been any understanding as to future
immunities or benefits. in recognition
OF anv contribution from any source.
Is wicked falsehood.
That Mr.. Parker should desire to
avoid the discussion Of principles, l
can well understand: for It is but the
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 prin-
ciple or that action. But cannot
understand how any honorable man.
candidate for the highest office in
the gift OF the people, can take refuge
not merely in personalities. but in such
base and unworthy personalities.
WouId 0Rer No Proof.
IF deemed II necessary to support
my fiat denial by any evidence would
ask all men Of common sense TO pom
der well what has been done In this
campaign by Mr.. Cortelyou. and to
compare II with what Mr.. Parker him
self did when he was managing Mr.
Hill's campaign for Governor: and 10
compare what has been done as re-
cards the great corporations and mon
led Interests under this adminstra tion
with what was done under the last
Democratic administration while Mr.
Oiney was Attorney General; I would