The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-11-05

Mr Roosevelt meets the issue fairly
and sauarely. He denounced Judge Par
ker's accusations as "slanderous," as
containing mot one particle Of truth as
'monstrous" as "a wicked falsehood'
"as unqualinedly and atrociously false"
Incidentally he payS his compliments to
Judge Parker as the manager Of David B.
Hrrs campaign for governor and ex-
presses a contentment to he judged by the
character OF his campaign manager. Mr..
Cortelyou. and Judge Parker to be judged
by the character OF his campaign mana
ger. MIR. Tagsart
This is the presidents statement:
white House. Washington, Nov. 4. 1904.
Certain slanderous accusations as to
Mr.. Cortelyou. accusations as to Mr..
Cortelyou and myself have been repeat
ed time and time again by Judge Parker.
the candidate of his party for the office
OF president.
He neither has produced nor can pro-
duce any proof OF their truth. yet ne has
not withdrawn them; and his position
gives them wide currency. / speak now
lest the silence OF self-respect be misun-
derstood.
WERE BLACKMAIL CHARGES
MFR. Parker's charges are in effect that
the president OF the United States and Mr..
Cortelyou. formerly Mr.. Clevelend's ex-
ecutive clerk, then Mr. McKinley's and
my secretary. then secretary OF commerce
and labor, and now chairman OF the Re-
publican national committee,-Aave-bee
in a conspiracy TO blackmail corporations.
n -. - Ia n.
ed while he was secretary OF the depart
ment OF commerce and labor TO extort
money from the corporations. and I. the
president. having appointed him for this
especial purpose
The gravamen OF these charges lies I'm
the assertion that corporations have been
blackmailed into contributing. and in the
implication, which In one or two OF Mr..
Parker's speeches has taken the form
! practically OF an assertion. that they
have been promised certain immunities OF
favors or have been assured that they
would receive some kind OF improper con-
sideration In view OF their contributions.
PARKER KNOWS BEST.
That contributions have been made 70
the Republican committee as contribu-
tons have been made 10 the Democratic
committee is not the question at issue.
Mr.. Parker's assedtion is in effect that Z
such contributions have been made for
improper motives. either I'm consequence
OF threats or in consequence of improper
promises, direct or indirect, on the part
OF the recipients
Mr. Parker knows best whether this ia
true OF the contributions to his campaign
fund which have come through his trusted
friends and advisers who represent the
great corporate interests that stand be-
hind him.
But there Ia not one particle Of truth
in the statement as regards anything that
has gone on the in the management of the
Republican campaign.
TAGGART VS. CoRTELYou.
"Mr. Parker's accusations against Mr..
Cortelyou and me are monstrous III true
they would brand both OF us forever
with infamy; and inasmuch as they are
false, heavy must be the condemna ton
OF the man making them.
II chose Mr. Corte1you as chairman
of the national committee after having
failed successively to persuade Mr.. Elihu
Root. Mr. w. Murray Crane and Mr..
Cornelius N Bliss 10 accept the position.
I chose him with extreme reluctance. be-
cause I could iii spare him from the cabi-
net But felt tf1at he possessed the high
integrity which I demanded in the man
who was to manage my campaign.
IT am content that Mr.. Parker and I
should be judged by the public on the
characters OF two men, whom we choose
10 manage our campaigns; he by the
character of his nominee. Mr.. Thomas
Taggart, and by the character Of Mr..
Cortelyou.
THE assertion that Mr.. Cortelyou had
any knowledge. gained while In any offi-
cial positions whereby he was enabled
TO secure and did secure any contribu-