Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-11-09
STRIKES FROM
THE SHOULDER
Parker Severely Called Down by Pres,
ident Roosevelt in a Personal Let
ter to the Public.
SENSATIONAL CAMPAIGN FINISH
Parker and His Managers Had Been
Lying and Would Give No Heed
to Demand for Proofs.

(Though the following dispatch
must necessarily appear in our COZ
umns after the campaign has closed,
its appearance last Saturday morning
in all the daily papers Of the country,
created such a sensation, and its beaI-
ing upon the vote of yesterday was
doubtless so important, that we give
it space.-Editor.)
Washington, November 4.-Presi,
dent Roosevelt tonight issued a state
ment to the American people as to
the charges made against Mr.. Corte-
lyou and himself by Mr.. Parker. DEM
ocratic candidate for the presidency.
The statement is in part, as follows:
white House, Washington, ID. G.,
Nov. 4.-Slanderous accusations as TO
Mr.. Cortelyou and myself have been
repeated time and time again by
Judge Parker, the candidate for the
office of president. lie neither has
produced nor can produce any proof
of the charges, yet he has not with
drawn them, and as his position gives
them wide currency, ! speak now lest
the silence of self respect might be
misunderstood. Mr.. Parker's charges
are, in effect, that the president of the
United States and Mr.. Cortelyou, form
erly Mr.. Clevelana's executive cleih
then Mr.. McKinley's and my secre-
tary, then secretary OF commerce and
labor, and now chairniah OF the Re
publican national committee, have
been in a conspiracy to blackmail cor
porations, Mr.. Cortelyuu using his
knowledge gained while secretary of
the department of commerce anu la
Dor TO extort money from the corpor-
atoms and |, the president, having APP
POINTED hiIa for this special pun pose.
The gravity of these charges lies
in the assertion that the corporations
have been blackmailed into contribu
ting and in the implication, which In
one or two of Mr.. farker'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
receive some kind of improper con
s%ideration in view of their contriDu-
tions. That contributions have been
made to the Republican committee as
contributions have been made to the
Democratic committee is not h Ques-
ton at issue. Mr.. Parker's assertion
is in effect that such contributions
nave been made Off improper motives
either in consequence OF threats or in
consequence of improper promises. al
rect or indirect, on the part OF the
recipients. Mr.. Parker knows best
whether this is true of the contribu
tions to his campaign fund, which
have come through his uusted friends
and advisors, who represent tie great
corporate interests that stand behind
him. But there is not one particle
Il truth in the statement as regards
anything that has gone on in the man
agement of the Republican campaign.
Mr.. Parker's accusations against MI.
Cortelyou and myself are monstrous.
"If true, they would brand both OF
us forever with infamy, and for 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
having failed successfully to persuade
Elihu Root, w. Murray Crane and Cor
nelius N. Bliss to accept the position.
| chose him with extreme reluctance,
because | could i'll spare him from the
cabinet. But | felt that he possessed
the high integrity which | demanded
in the nan who was to manage my
campaign. | am content that Mr..
Parker or | 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 character of Mr.. Cortelyou.
THE assertion that Mr.. CoItclyou
had any knowledge gained while In
any Official position whereby he was
enabled TO secure and did secure any
contributions for any corporation 10 a
falsehood.
THE assertion that there has been
any blackllail, direct or Indirect. by
Mr.. Corte.you or by Inc. Is a false-
God. The assertion that there has