The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-09-10

Improbable and unInteresting" is SEN
ator Depews comment on the disclosures
concerning the sources OF the Republican
campaign fund Of 1904 and the method of
its collection. "A private affair" says
Cornelius \. Bliss. Atreasurer Of the Re
publican National Committee about
which nobody has the slightest right to
inquire" We do not think the public viii
be inclined TO accept such summary dis
missal Of the extraordinary campaign
secrets now finding their way into print
The disclosures make mighty interesting
reading, however much they may en-
barrass the eminent personages chiefly
concerned, and the public has every right
10 inquire into the means by which a
Presidential campaign is carried on
Moreover, the facts have an important
bearing on the truth Of certain allegations
made by the last Democratic candidate
for the Presidency, allegations that were
hotly and vociferously denounced as
mendacious by his opponent
The New York Times contributes to
the story Of the 1904 campaign fund some
additional details that may or may not
evoke surprise. The Times says that the
Standard Oil Company was MIXED in
the sum Of $4,000 by Mr. Bliss. who
visited the company's Office and there
dwelt upon the Importance Of d Repub-
lean victory and the alarming lack Of
campaign money. These considerations
did not, however, appeal to the Stand
ard OF people until they had received
certain satisfactory assurances from
Mr.. Bliss. As Mr.. Roosevelt had already
limited at probable legal attack on the
Standard oil Company, Mr. Bliss was
asked point-blank. according TO the
Times, If Mr.. Roosevelt was aware of
the requests 10 the corporations. and. if
he was, how he expected to receive assist
ance from this source. Mt. Bliss reply
was that without rejecting upon any
position he mad previously taken, Mr..
Roosevelt had become much more broad
in his views" This implication of q
change in the. Presidents views imme-
diately brought a contribution Of 100000.
exclusive Of the amount subscribed by
Archbold and Rockefeller 70 the Harri-
man fund.
A subsequent incident at the White
House is thus described by our New
York contemporary:
There was ID Washington a reunion Of a frater-
nifty Of which Alr. Wheeler. head Of the cooqerass
department Of the Standard Oh Company. was a
member The fraternity was received az the White
House and joking allusion was made 20 NJ.
Wbeeler's connection with the STANDARD OIL Com
pany. Instantly the President called him aside and
said: II your company is called upon for a cam
paign contribution dont give any; u Is not needed
Mr.. Wheeler was not familiar with what had
taken place but when he returned 70 New York be
repeated the Presidents remark at the company S
Office at Is Broadway where it caused cons;srna-
ton.
This was before the White House in
terview with Hartman, following which
the railroad magnate induced the Stand
ard oil crowd and other corporate in
terests to give over $4,000 to insure the
election OF Republican candidates In
New York.
When Mr.. Bliss heard Of President
Roosevelt's denial Of Judge Parker's
charge that trust money was being So
licited by the Republican campaign
managers. his only comment was, I was
deceived" So also was the Standard
OIL Company deceived-mightily deceived.
It invested $4,000, and got therefor sew
eral thousand indictments aud a big law
suit Probably It was one Of the worst
investments the Standard ever made.
Campaign contributions from business
men will never cease" Senator Depew
shrewdiy predicts. "as long as business
is affected by politics" And as long as
immense campaign funds are considered
necessary TO carry elections, it viii be
the chief aim OF practical politicians to
see that business is affected by politics.
a most vicious political principle, Of
which we hope the public hereafter will
sternly disapprove.