The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-04-03
THE SECRET is OUT.
Continued from Page one.>

you" says the president, Inform
me that he told you that he did not
care in the least, because those peo-
pie were crooks, and he could buy
Them" and other similar remarks.
This, the president says. was doubt
less partly in boastful cynicism and
it showed, in the presidents opinion, a
cynicism and deep-seated corruption
which he denounces in strong words.
The second letter to Mr.. Sherman
simply contains an addenda to the first.
1T feel particularly fortunate that I
have been attacked within the last few
days by both ex-senator Burton and
Mr.. Hartman" said the president in
a conversation with representatives of
the press, following the giving out of
the letters to Representative Sherman
regarding statements made in Mr.. Har-
riman's letters to Mr.. Webster
Statement From Mr.. Parker.
Albany, N. Y, April 3-Alton B.
Parker Democratic candidate for the
presidency in 1904, displayed the keenest
interest in the letter of E. H. Hartman,
published Tuesday, especially in regard
to it's relating to his own charge made
in the 1904 campaign that the great
corporations were largely financing the
Republican campaign.
Last night he issued the following
statement:
That $3.50, 900 was turned over by the
Equitable, Mutual and New York Life
Insurance companies to Mr.. Cortelyou's
committee has never been denied, of
course. 1t was testified to. under oath
before body who could have summon
ed Mr.. Bliss and Mr.. Cortelyou to the
witness stand if it had been denied. 1t
is safe to deny Mr. Harriman's state
ment, because there is not a committee
before whom Mr.. Bliss, Mr.. Cortelyou
and others can be summoned and COM
PEELED to testify.
Congress has refused to make an in
vestigation of the corporate contribu-
lions of 1904 or to pass a law prohibit
ing corporate contributions in the fu-
ture. The moneys raised by Mr.. Harri-
man and contributed by the life insur-
ance companies aggregatfng $350,000
was but a drop in the bucket as COM
pared with the total contributions by
railroads and other great corporations.
The public choice of an investigation at
this time therefore cannot be overesti-
ma ted.
"One of the questions now pressing |
for solution is whether federal gov
arnmental control over railroads and
other great corporations shall be ex-
tended further. L will help to solve |
that problem rightly, to learn that |
governmental power in the past has I
been used for political purposes-used |
20 raise money to continue an exist |
has been used will make it clear to
every mind that it can be used again. I
Possession by the public of that
and the necessary deduc-
ions therefrom inevitably will lead to
attempts to surround such power as
has been or may be conferred with the
absolutely necessary safeguards
against political abuse of it. So far,
10 effort has been made in that direc-
ion. 1t has not been made because
he people have not appreciated the
of it. That they may do so,
IN investigation should be had that
will bring out the whole truth. 1t will
lelp many to see quite clearly what is
low hidden. viz, the ultimate purpose
# some of those who seek to strip
he states of power that it may be CEN
cred at Washington