The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1904-11-08

Washington, November president
Roosevelt tonight mad the following
signed statement to the American peo-
il answer TO the charges made
against himself and Mr.. Cortelyou in
public speech by Mr.~Parker, the Dem
ocratic candidate for the presidency:
''White House,
washington, November 4, 1904.
Certain slanderous accusations as to
Mr.. Cortelyou and myself have been
repeated time and again by Judge Par
ker, the candidate of his party for the
office of president. He neither has pro-
duced, nor can produce, any proof Of
their truth; yet he has not withdrawn
them; and as his position gives them
wide currency 1 speak now, lest the
silence of self-respect be misunder-
stood. Mr.. Parker's charges are in eff
feet that the president of the United
States, and Mr.. Cortelyou, formerly Mr..
Cleveland's executive clerk, then Mr..
mir. McKinley's and my secretary, then
secretary of and labor, and
| now chairman of the Republican ma
tional committee ave been in a con-
spiracy to blackmail corporations, MI
Cortelyou using his knowledge gained
| while he was secretary OF the depart
ment of and labor to extort
money from the corporations, n 4,
the President, having appointed MIN
for this especial purpose. The grave
men of these charges lies in the asser-
ton that the corporations have been
blackmailed into contributing, n IN
the implication, which in n or two
of Mr.. Parker's speeches has taken the
form practically Of an assertion, that
they have been promised certain lmmu-
mites 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 commit
tee. as contributions nave been made
to the Democratic committee is not the
question at issue. Mr.. asser-
Ition in effect that such contribution
have been made from improper mo-
tiyes. either in consequence Of threats
or in ~sequ of improper promises
|, direct or indirect, on the part of tn
, recipients. Mr.. Parker knows bes
=. whether his is true of the contribution
of his campaign fund which have come
through his trusted friends and advis
ors who represent the great corporat'
interests that stand behind him. Blu
there is not one particle Of truth IN IN
statement as regards anything tina
has gone on in the management Of tn
-a~n;~ Mr. Parker
accusations against Mr.. Cortelyou an
3 me are monstrous. If true they woul
$ brand both of us forever with infamy
}, and inasmuch as they are false, heaV
D must be the condemnation of the ma
= making them.
{ I chose Mr.. Cortelyou as chairma
, of the national committee after nav
$ ing failed successfully TO persuade Nj
i Elihu Root, Mr.. w. Murray a an
e Mr.. Cornelius N. Bliss to accept II
d position. I chose him with extreme tt
n l~uctance. because 1 could i'll spare hill
= from the cabinet. But / felt that 4
4 possessed the high integrity which l dt
v manded IN the man who was 10 mar
It age my campaign. 1 am content TIL
'. Mr. parker and I should be judged
the public on the characters OF the ["
e men whom we chose to manage OF
: campaigns: ne By the character OF n
) nominee, Mr.. Thomas Taggart, and
d by the character Of Mr.. Cortelyou.
d 1.-The assertion that Mr.. Cortelyc
had any knowledge gained while IN ar
Ne official position whereby he was en-
lie bled to secure and did secure any col
: tribution from n corporation y
=, a falsehood. The assertion that the
~ has been any blackmail. direct or =
direct. by Mr.. Cortelyou or by me
or a fa~lseshood. The assertion that the
pit has been made in my behalf and
il my authority by Mr.. C~ortelyou or
"a any one else, any pledge or promis
o. that there has been any understan
ing as To futur immunities or behen
Dy in recognition OF any contribution fro
he any source. is a wicked ~falsehood-
That Mr.. Parker should desire
n avoid the discussion OF principle. ! G
well understand: for Il is but lie oa
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