The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-09-18
INSURANCE PROBE
HITS REPUBLICANS
Restoration and Confirmation Of
Parker's Charges Disturb
Republicans.
CONTIGUOUS SHIFT TO
sHAW'S SEAT INVOLVED
Criticism Inevitable if Roosevelt
Tries to Elevate Campaign
Manager.
By w, w. Jermane.

w kOPO io' AoC Hu1tAONN~
politicians are somewhat disturbed by
the New York insurance disclosures,
particularly that portion, of them which
called forth Judge Parker's statement
in the newspapers today.
The disturbance points in the dlrec-
ton of the treasury portfolio in the
president s cabinet. It is understood
to be the PRESIDENT intention to give
this place to Mr.. Cortelyou, now post
master general, and likewise chairman
of the republican national committee.
Last fall the charge was made by the
democratic campaign committee that
eastern corporations were helping to
finance the republican presidential cam
paign. President Roosevelt's caustic
reply to Judge Parker, who was indis-
Greet enough to voice this charge pub
icly, WITHOUT having proof that 1t was
well founded furnished one of the most
sensational features Of the closing days
Of the campaign.
= Parker Close to Truth.
Now it comes out that the republican
committee treasury was swelled by the
big life insurance companies and that
Judge Parker was not far. from the
truth in what he said in his New York
address.
If the president should persist in his
purpose to give the treasury PORTFOLIO
to Cortelyou, much adverse criticism
would be started, and it might affect
the campaign next year. +
The president is self-willed in mat
tiers of appointments, and his high re-
gard for Cortelyou may induce him to
appoint him. -..-
Several democratic members Of con-
gress are in Washington and they are
very outspoken about the insurance
company disclosures: Two of these
York Life and the things they. have
said about that company's. republican
campaign contribution are hot enough
to burn up the telegraph wires.
Airing in Congress.
The insurance Investigations will re-
ceive thorough airing in congress
this winter from the democrats and a
strong effort will be made to turn them
to campaign uses. This is why. re-
publicans are wondering whether 1t is
still the president s intention to make
| Cortelyou secretary of the treasury.
| If Cortelyou were a man consp1cu.
| ously fitted for the treasury work
criticism, might be met with fair de-
gree of success, but the well-k1own
fact that he has had no financial. ex
perience will give the democrats rather
a long reach when they get ready tc
begin active operations.
Offset to Criticism.
There is, fortunately for the repub
licans, a more or less effective offse
to this impending criticism. It is fur
nished by the PRESIDENT last messag
to congress. in which he strongly rec
commended legislation that "should e.
as far as under the constitution it i
possible to go' toward prohibiting an,
penalizing brib cry in federal elections
In this connection he also recommended
a provision for the publication I" no
only of the expenditures for nomina
tions and elections Of all candidates
but also of all contributions receive
and expenditures made by politiea
committees
This recommendation in the Roose
welt message was no doubt called fort
| by the Parker episode in New Yorl
Judge Parker has gone. on record a
| favoring some such legislation, and M
{ Roosevelt, with great tact, took sin
l liar ground. It would not be strang
: if, in the light Of the recent insuranc
: disclosures, he were to repeat that RET
= ommendation in his message the con
| inc Decembar.