The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1904-11-09
Issues an Open Letter in An
swer to Judge Parker
DENIES ALI. ALLEGATIONS
SAYS VehementIy That No Trust Has
Received Any Promise from the
Administration-Dub Charges
as Wckedly False.

A Washington special says Presi-
dent Roosevelt, Friday, made lgned
statement to the American people in
answer to the charge made against
himself and Mr.. Cortelqou in public
speeches by Mr.. Parker, the demo-
cratic candidate for the presidency.
In part he says:
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not withdrawn them, aid as his posi-
ton gives them wide currency, l speak
now lest the silence of self-respect be
misunderstood.
"Mr. Parker's charges are in erect
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 labor, and
now chairman of the republican na-
tional committee, have been in coh'
spiracy to biaekmail corporations, Ne
Corteiyou using his knowledge gained
while re was secretary Of the depart
ment Of commerce and labor to exto"t
money from the corporations, and |,
the president, having appointed him
for this especial purpose:
"Mr. Parker's assertion is i'll effect
that such contributions have been
made for improper motives, either IN
consequence of threats or in in con3e-
quence of improper promises, direct
or indirect, on the par. of the rec'p-
tents.
'Mr. Parker's accusations against
Mr.. Cortelyou 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. | chose Mr. Cortelyou as chair
man of the national committee after
failing successfully to persuade ELM
Root, w. Murray Crane and Cornelius
N. Bliss to accept the pC@tion. | chose
him with extreme reluctance, because
| could ill spare him from the cabi-
net. But l felt that he possessed the
high integrity which l demanded IN
the man who was to manage my cam
paign.
81 am content that Mr.. Parker and
l should be judged by the public on
the characters of the two men whom
we chose to manage our campaigns,
he by the character Of his nominee,
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 ana
did secure any contribution from arv
corporation is a fa1sehood. 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
my 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 10
avoid the discussion Of principles l
can takes refuge not merely in Per
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.
But | 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 ua-
worthy personalities"