The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-03
THESECRET IS OUT
Hartman Wanted to Be United
States Senator.
Why He Sought to Mako Depew
Ambassador.
SENATOR TALKS TODAY
Corporations Did Not Give That
Quarter of MiIIiOn.
Declined to Consider Post Of
Ambassador to France.
Alton b. Parker, Democratic
Candidate, L. Heard From.

Washington, April st was
authoritatively declared at the White
House today that the real reason for
Mr.. E. H. Harriman's interest in the
election of the state ticket in New
York in 1904, reference to which was
made in the communications which
passed between him and the presi-
dent was that he desired to advance
his own ambitions. 1t is asserted that
Mr.. Hartman wanted the position of
senator. now filled by Mr.. Depew, and
that this was the reason why he was
anxious to have him appointed am
bassador to France. The differences
from Harriman's attitude, according to
the statement at the White House. was
that if Senator Depew could be in
duced to go to Paris that Governor
Higgins was prepared to appoint him
to the vacancy.
Depew Talks
New York, April 3.-While the contro-
versy which has arisen between Presi-
dent Roosevelt and L. H. Hartman is
attracting widespread attention. pou-
tici9nS and others who were closely
connected with the campaign of 1904 do
not show a disposition to discuss the
subject.
Senator Chauncey NJ. Depew was the
only one who would add anything to the
president and Mr.. Hartman He IL
quoted as saying:
My knowledge of the 100000 cam
paign fund was all gained after the oc-
currence to which Mr.. Hartman refers.
1 knew nothing about 1t at the time
and it would be improper for me to
mention any names in any way. may
say, however, that the money did not
come from corporations. neither from
individuals whose corporation affilia-
w anVthtnE
to expect from the administration In re-
turn. They were men of wealth, who
necessarily had certain corporation con-
nectionss but these did not move them
In contributing the money
80 far as the mention of my name
for the post of ambassador to France
is concerned, will say positively that
that matter was not broached to me
until December, after the opposition TO
my reelection as senator had crystal
lized. 1 heard nothing at all about-ic.
back at election time.
81 will not say through what source
the suggestion came that should take
the post except that / was asked IL
would not accept such an appointment
and withdraw from the senatorial con-
test replied that I would not consider
it, that my whole training and incl1na-
ton impelled me to continue my service
as senator and that so far as 1 was con-
cerned it was the senatorship or moth
ing. Not long after that the opposition
was withdrawn
Cornelius N Bliss, Senator Platt and
former Governors Odell and Black oe-
clined to discuss the matter.
The Roosevelt Denial.
The presidents denial was contained
in brief statement and copies or let
ters written to Representative Sher-
man, of New York. dated OCTOBER -
and October IL, 1906, respectively
The president, after furnishing the
letters to the press, dictated tne iol-
lowing statement:
AFTER writing these letters to Con-
gresham Sherman the presldenI was
assured that Mr.. Hartman hao not
made the statements which Mr.. Sher-
man credited him with making. IN
asmuch as the same statements ap-
pear III the major part in the letter OF
Mr.. Hartman now puDnsneQ. .t. a. Ia.s
ters he sent Congressman sherman
last October shall now themselves Dc
made public
to a conversation between Mr.. Harri-i
man and Mr.. Sherman which was re-
peated to the president, in which Mr..
Hartman is said to have given as a
reason for his personal dislike of the
nresident. partly the 1atter's determine
alton to have the railroads supervised
and partly the alleged fact that after
promising Mr.. Hartman to appoint
Senator Depew am bassador to France
he. the president failed to do 1t. II
from the conversation re-
peated to the president that Mr.. Sher-
man had gone to Mr.. Hartman to ask
him for a contribution for the cam
paign.
The president says that Hartman
also urged him to promise to make
Mr.. Depew ambassador because this
would help Governor Odell by pleas
ing certain big financial interests. The
president said he informed Mr.. Har-
riman that he did not believe 1t would
be possible to appoint Mr.. Depew, and.
mis- (Harriman's) saying that the men
Of New York wished the appointment
made inasmuch as a number of them
had written asking that the place be
learning Mr.. Hyde was a candidate,
hastily said that he did not wish to be
as antagonizing him
The president, 1t appears. was un-
willing to appoint either Depew or
HYDE as ambaSsad dor, and also left un-
his recommendations to con-
gress concerning the interstate COM
merce law, Notwithstanding sugges-
lions and criticisms by Mr.. Hartman
Of the presidents course in that regard
as expressed in certain letters which
Mr. Hartman wrote to the president.
Far more important the president
the additional remarks which
to him when he asked him if he
and the like triumphant over the Re-
- To- ~ ~