New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-09-28
A CAMPAIGN FORGERY.
TO TURN LABOR VOTE.
attempt to arouse Union IRE
against President Roosevelt.
LFRoM THE Tribune BUREAU


Washington, Sept. 27.-Brief mention was
made in these dispatches last night Of at
tempt to turn the labor vote against President
Roosevelt in Colorado and other Western States
By malicious forgery Of the Presidents signature
and utterances In 1.-THE Miners Magazine" of
September p, published IN Denver. the off,
cial organ Of the Western Federation of Miners
appears q full copy Of a letter purporting TO
have been sent by the President 70 Michael DON
nelly during the beef strike. Ex-senator Lee
Mantle OF Montana, telegraphed the President
asking about the authenticity Of the letter. and
has been informed that it is forgery OF the
worst kind. At the same time, Secretary Loeb
has telegraphed to Michael DOnnelly asking him
II he received the letter. and if he did so. please
to turn it over to attorney OF the United
States for criminal action
The letter purports to have been written TO
DonBelly about the time the strike was at its
height The statement is made fatty that DON
nelly forwarded letter to the Pesident asking
him 10 use his efforts IN behalf OF the strikers
and for the settlement OF the strike, and that
in answer Donnelly received the letter that is
published. In the forged letter the President IS
made TO say that the strikers are all wrong and
that ne resents the attempt TO drag him into the
strike. The alleged language Of the President in
one place is as follows
Your Implication that would do for you in
Presidential year. what I would not do at an
other time Is an Insult. II I cannot be elected
without getting down on my knees 70 la Dor
unions then in the spirit Of my distinguished
opponent let the election go.
The letter then proceeds 70 lecture Donnelly
FOR his ignorance in bringing such a question
before the President and says he would not
bulge from his position Of non-intervention
unless the mails were fnterfered with. in which
case I stand ready 10 DO as my uustrious
predecessor. Grover Cleveland, did and assert
the power OF this nation against all local nuIIi-
hers.' The alleged letter ends as follows:
My final advice to you. Nr DonneIly. is to
quit when you have had enough. Il Is evident
that your strike nI-advised. This is proved
oy the fact that your employers are able to get
plenty OF men 10 take your places The right OF
the latter 10 work unmolested is one that must
he upheld unless this government s. 10 sink into
me PIX Accordingly, ccuEse! you 20 make the
most advantageous terms you can You have
stakeo al and lost; make the best OF y
Ike man. In any case, be assured that I shall
keep my hands of unless YOUR folly brings You
into collision with the laws Of the United States
when my hand Will go IN q way you Will
not Ike And, ar far as I am concerned, you
have barkec Up the wrong tree I am not 10
be either wheedled or frightened into rleddling
with what IS none OF my business This IS a
government OF laws. not Of dictators or OF busy
bodies. or even OF anxious candidates. The law
must take its course. and Il VIII run over you.
II you get n the way
Donnelly has, since the iIl-tiued strike he led.
Joined the Socialist party, and IS working among
the laborers in Chicago for that party.
Il Is a well known fact that the President
steadfastly declined 10 be drawn into the beef
strike IN any way. and that he did not write
any letters 70 any one 90 give public utteranCe
10 his views The situation was never one IN
which the President had the slightest pretext
under the law. for Interference and consequent
y he had no reason 10 do anything.