Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-11-05
THE PRESIDENT
answers parker
Addresses a Letter to American
People Denying ISLANDER
GUS Accusations''
A CANDID, FEARLESS STATEMENT
Acts Imputed to Roosevelt and CorteI-
you peclsred to be unqualifiedIy and
Atrociously Fase-Parkers Unsup-
ported Statement Unprecedented On
the Part Of Presidential Candidates.

Washington, Nov. 5.-President
Roosevelt last night made the follow
ing signed statement to the American
people, in answer to the charges made
against himself and Mr.. Cortelyou In
public speeches by Mr.. Parker, the
democratic candidate for the presi-
dency:
White House, Washington, Dec. A.
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 with
drawn them; and as his position gives
them wide currency, / speak now, lest
the silence of self-respect be misunder-
stood. Mr.. Parkers charges are in
effect that the president of the United
States and Mr.. Cortelyou, formerly Mi.
Cleveland's executive clerk, then Mt.
McKinleys and my secretary, then
secretary of commerce and labor, and
now chairman of the republican ma
tional committee, have been in con-
spiracy to blackmail corporations. Mr..
Cortelyou using his knowledge gained
while he was secretary of the depart
ment of commerce and labor to eXtort
money from the corporations, and, the
president, having appointed him for
this especial purpose. The gravity OF
this charge lies in the assertion that
the corporations have been blackmailed
into contributing, and in the implica-
tion, which in one or two of Mr.. Par
ker's speeches has taken the form,
have been promised certain inlfnuni-
ties or favors, or have been assured
that they would receive some kind OF
improper consideration in view OF their
contributions.
That contributions have been made
to the republican committee, as con-
tributions have been made to the DEM
ocratic committee, is not the question
at issue NJ. Parkers assertion is IN
effect that such contributions have been
made for improper promises, direct or
indirect, on the part of the recipients.
Mr.. Parker knows best whether this is
true of the contributions to the cam
paign fund, which have come thru his
trusted friends and advisers, who rep
resent the graf corporations, to corpor-
ate interests that stand behind him.
Not One Particle Of Truth.
But there is not one particle OF truth
in the statement as regards anything
that has gone on in the management OF
the republican campaign. Mr.. Parker's
accusation against Mr.. Cortelyou and
me are monstrous. If true they would
cover both Of us forever with infamy;
and inasmuch as they are false, heavy
must be the condemnation of the man.
making them. I chose Mr.. Cortelyou
as chairman Of the national COMMITTEES
after having failed successfully TO per-
suade Mr.. Elihu Root Mr.. w. Murray
Crane and Mr. Cornelius N. Bliss to
accept the position. / chose MIN WIN
extreme reluctance, because could
i'll snare him from the cabinet. But
felt that he possessed the high integ-
rity which demanded in the man VINO
was to manage my campaign. am
content that Mr.. Parker and should
be Judged by the public on the char
acters Of the two men whom we chose
to manage our campaigns; he by the
character of his nominee, Mr.. Tnomas
Taggart, and by the character OF MI.
Cortelyou.
The assertion that Mr.. Cortelyou had
any knowledge gained while in any OF
fetal position whereby he was eanpled
to secure and did secure any contribu-
tions from any corporation is false
hood. The assertion that there has
been any blackmail, direct or indirect,
by Mr.. Cortelyou or by me is a false
hood. The assertion that there has
been made in my behalf and by my
authority by Mr.. Cortelyou or by any
one else any pledge or promise. or that
there has been an understanding as TO
future immunities or benefits. in reg
ognition of any contribution from any
source is a wicked falsehood.
A Master Of Misstatenent.
That Mr. Parker should desire to
avoid the discussion of principles
can we'll understand, for it is but the
bare truth to say that he has not at
tackled us on any matter misstating
that principle or that action. But J.
cannot understand how any honorable
man candidate for the highest office
II the gift of the people, can take re-
fuge not merely In personalities but in
such base and unworthy personalities.
If I deemed it necessary to support
my flat denial by any evidence would
ask all men of common sense to pom
der we'll on whatsIas been done in this
by Mr.. Cortelyou, and to
conrare il with what Mr.. Parker him
self did when he was managing MI.
Rilrs campaign for governor; and to
what has been done as re-
CARDS the great corporations and mon
led intci ests under this administration
with What was done under the last
administration while Mr..
Chey was sttorney general; l would
ask nj! ho-ast men whether they SER
iously 4.en. 1t possible that the course
this administration has taken in every
matter srora the Northern Securities
suit to the settlement of the anthracite