Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-11-07
Question by Democratic
Committee in Final
Statement.
SUM USED BY G. 0. P.
What is the Consideration in
Return to Make it a
Square DeaI?"

New York, Nov THE democratic
national committee gave out last night
for publication a formal and final state
ment. It is addressed to democratic
and Independent voters and reads as
follows:
This committee has carried on a
national canvass in a manner, it be
lieves. befitting the dignity and integ-
rity of the American people. 1t has
advanced no imaginative claims re
specting results and has not accepted
for use in the campaign a single dol
lar from the tariff-bred trusts, whose
exactions have so greatly increased the
cost of every necessity of life, ant
which are not contributing from their
gains great sums of money to perpet-
uate republican rule.
The democratic candidate, if eject
ed will be absolutely free from obi.
cation, direct or implied. TO any per
son or group of persons other than the
whole people who shall have entrusted
to him the maintenance of the welfare
of the republic.
Met BY Avalanche of Money.
This committee asks for Itself only
so much credit as such conduct of a
canvass may merit but it does feel
that both the party and the countr,
are to be congratulated upon the fac
that out of the discordance of weak
ness has been wrought a union of
strength. The difficulties attendant
upon this achievement are well under.
stood. At every turn, by every con
Ceivable method, in every doubtful dis
trict of every doubtful state. the eff
forts, which We maintain to have been
at least patriotic and know to have
been creditable to both candidate and
this committee. have been met by an
avalanche of money.
THE source of supply of this great
republican campaign fund is no longer
a matter of suspension. The republi
can candidate declared. with great We
hemence, that he had promised moth
ing more than what he may be pleased
TO consider square deal in return fOI
campaign contribution The republi-
can chairman, he vigorously asserted
had assured him more than once tha
there had been no necessity for max
ing direct pledges-that it had beer
found possible TO obtain all the money
needed. up TO that time at any rate
without doing so.
Calls DeninIS Virtual Admissions.
Neither he nor his chairman denied
that contributions had been accepted
from the trusts, for the simple reason
that the fact was undeniable and eacI
knew that it was susceptible of over
whelming proof The payments were
voluntary not forced: such, and such
alone. was the burden of denials which
were virtual admissions.
The only question remaining was
how much had been considered neces-
sary. Fortunately. even this informa-
tion was forthcoming simultaneously
with the preparation of the most extra
ordinary tcmperamcntal document. in
diCativc of the keencst desperation
which has ever emanated from IN,
White House. the candidates most in
innate and trusted adviser. the former
secretary of war, just returned from
Washington. was uttcriug another and
more detailed defense of his chief
in this city. The mere fact of con
tributiOn.' he held 10 be inoffensive
His chief pride was in the great work
accomplished for so small an eXpendi
ture. The fact is he proudly de
Clarcd. that il is the smallest fund We
have had for u years-about one hall
of the republican fund when Mckinley
was elected in 1896. That fund. il is
well known. was approximately SO.
100000. Accepting these figures a.
correct. therefore. the republican chair
man has had only about S5,000.o00 a
his disposal.
Trust Tribute Admitted.
The chain is completedZthe trus
contributions not denied by either the
candidate or the chairman. unequivo
Cally admitted and the amount plainl'
stated by the former secretary of war
Five millions is the sum. Nor,
could have been had. il needed bu
under the present Chairmans NOR,
careful direction it was deemed suffi
Cient. But why did the trusts con
tribute TO the republican canvass
They were asked says the outspokeI
former secretary
Did they think they were huyint
a presidency? Or were they conten
with the assurance from the republican