The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1908-12-19
PRESIDENTS STATEMENT IN RE.
GARD TO CANAL SANDERS
RECEIVED AS A JOKE.
DEN0UNCES PULITZER
DEFENDS THE GOVERNMENT BUT
FEARS SOME WILL BELIEVE
6AsELEss LIES.

Shington.-Repeated pealS OF
laughter greeted the reading OF the
opening paragraph of President Roose-
Panama canal charges Tuesday. AS
the secretary read the statement that
the charges were false in every par
ticular," Senator Bailey laughed out
right. Other senators on both sides
OF the chamber Joined with him, and
when the reader reached the state
ment that statement In newspaper
which he mentioned would not be be-
lieved. there was general merriment.
There was only a small number OF
senators present when the reading
was begun and was hurried through.
the papers accompanying the message
not being read at all.
The message ELECTED the greatest
interest in the House. The men,
bers gave close attention during the
reading Of the document and there was
a ripple OF laughter over the Presi-
dents characterization of Joseph
Pulitzer, publisher OF the New York
World. The message with It's accom-
panying papers was referred to COM
mittee.
President Roosevelts statement con-
corning the purchase OF the Panama
canal property by the United States
denounces in strong language charges
that there was anything wrong in the
acquisition by the United States OF the
canal property.
These stories," he continues. were
first brought to my attention as pub
lished In paper in indianapolis called
the News edited by Mr.. Delevan
Smith. The stories were scurrilous
and l!belous In character and false in
every essential particular. Mr.. Smith
shelters himself behind the excuse
that he merely accepted the state
ments which had appeared In paper
published In New York. The World
owned by Mr.. Joseph Pulitzer. 1t Is
Idle to say that the known character
OF Mr.. Pulitzer and his newspaper are
such that the statements In that paper
will be believed by nobody; unfortun-
ately, Thousands OF persons are III
Informed In this respect and believe
the statements they see printed. even
though they appear In newspaper
published by Mr.. Pulitzer.
Now these stories as matter OF
fact. need no investigation whatever.
No shadow OF proof has been, or can be
produced In behalf Of any OF them.
They consist mainly Of n string OF infa-
nous libels. In form they are partly H.
bells upon individuals. upon Mr.. Taft and
Mr.. Robinson for instance, but they
are In fact waolly. and In form partly,
a libel upon the United States gov
eminent. l DO not believe We should
concern ourselves with the particular
individuals who wrote the lying and
libeling editorials articles froul cor.
respondents. or articles In the news
columns. The real offender IL Mr..
Joseph Pulitzer. editor and proprietor
Of the World. While the criminal OF.
tense Of which Mr.. Pulitzer has been
guilty iS In form libel upon individ.
unls. the grcn. injury done Is In black.
ening the good name Of the American
people.
1T should not be left TO a private
citizen TO sue MIR. Pulitzer for libel.
He should be prosecuted for libel by
the governmental authorities. In point
Of encouragement Of iniquity. In point
Of infamy. Of wrongdoing. there ID
nothing TO choose between q public
servant who bctrays his trust. = pub.
lie servant who II guilty Of blackmail
or theft. or financial dishonesty Of
any kind. and man guilty ms Mr.. Jos,
eph Pulitzer has been guilty In this
instance.
'Thc attorney general has under
confederation the form under which
tho proceedings against Mr.. Pulitzer
shall b brought