Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1908-12-15
Anot- er Message

10 language probably more emphati-
csily denuneiatory than was ever used
before In such a document, President
Roosevelt today In special message to
Congress, arraigued Joseph Pulitzer, OF
the New York World, 10 particular and
other critics Of Decentralization in gen.
eral, for their recent charges with re-
spect to the purchase Of the Panama
canal.
He chsracterizes the accusations as
scurrilous, libelous sud false, In every
essential particular; submits dOcumen-
tsry evidence 10 support his contentious;
brands Mr.. Pulitzer by pane as a Wilt
Ter Of the American people snd declares
his purpose Of bringing governmental
action for libel.
The message In part, reads as follows:
'In view of the constant reiteration
of the association that there was some
corrupt action by, or on behalf of the
United States government in connec-
ion with the acquisition OF the title
of the French Company to the Pau
ana canal and of the repetition of
the story that a syndicate of Amer
lcsn citizens owned either one or
both of the Panama companies, | deem
it wise to submit TO the Congress all the
information | have on the subject. These
stories were frat brought to my atten-
ton as published in paper 10 Indianap-
oils, called The News, edited by Mr..
Delavan Smith. The stories we're sour
rilous and libelous 10 character, and
ia Sc in every essential particular. Mr..
Smith shelters himself behind the ex-
cuse that he merely accepted the state.
meDts which had appeared in a 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. l therefore
lay all the facts before you"
Here the president rectes the various
charges including those sgslnst Charles
P. Taft, brother of William Howard
Taft, and Douglas Robinson, the presi-
dents brother-in-lsw, of participation
10 the $4,000, 900 purchase fund and
proceeds.
"These statements sometimes appear
ed 10 the editorials, sometimes in the
news columns, sometimes In The shape
of contributions from Individuals, either
unknown, or known TO be OF bad
character. They sre false in every partic-
ular from beginning to end. The wicked
ness OF the ISLANDERS is only surpassed by
their faulty. So utterly bsseless are
the stories, that apparently they repre-
sent in part merely material collected
for campaign purposes, and in psrt
stories originally concocted with a view
Of possible black mail. The inventor Of
tsG story about Mr.. Charles P. Taft, for
instance, evidently supposed that at
some period of the Panama purchase, hr,
W. H. Taft was secretary of war,
whereas, 10 reslity, Mr.. w. Fl.
Taft never became secretary of war
until long after the whole transaction in
question bad been closed. The inventor
Of the story about Mr.. Douglas Robin.
son had not taken the trouble to 6nd
out the fact tbat Mr.. Robinson bad not
the slightest connection, directly or indi-
rectly, of any kind or sort, with any phase
Of the Panama Transaction, from begin
ming to end. Now. thess stories, as matter
of fact, need no investig whatever.
No shadow of proof has been, or can be,
produced in behalf of any of them.
They consist simply of string of In.
famous libels. In form they are in part
libels upon individuals, upon Mr.. Taft
and Mr.. Robinson, for instance. Bat
they are in fact wholly, and 10 form
partly, libel upon the United States
government. do not believe We should
concern ourselves with the particular
individuals who Hrots the lying and
libelous editorials, articles from corfe-
spondents or articles in the news columns.
The real offender is Mr.. Joseph Pulitzer,
editor and proprietor of the World.
While the criminal Ofense of which Mr..
Pulitzsr has been guilty is in form a
libel upon individuals, the great icjury
done is in blackeniug the good name If
the American people. 1t should not be
left to q private citizen to sue Mr.. Pu-
liter for libel. He should be prosecuted
for libel by the governmental authori-
ties. In point sof encouragement Of in
EQUITY, in point Of iDfamy, or wrong
doing, there is nothing to choose between
public servant who betTays his trust,
public servant who is guilty of black
mail, or theft, or financial dishonesty of
any kind, and a mau guilty as Mr..
Pulitzer hes beepguilty 10 this instance.
1t is therefore high national duty to
to bring Justice this vili6er OF the Amer.
lean people, this man who wsDtonly and
wickedly and without one shadow Of
justification seeks to blscken the char
scter of the reputable private citizens,
and to convict the government OF his
own country in the eyes of the civilized
world of wrong doing Of the basest and
foulest kind when he has not one shadow
Of justification of any sort or descrip-
tiou for the charge he has made. The
attorney general has under considers
ton the form in which the proceedings
against Mr.. Pulitzer shall be brought"
--HH---
NATITDR CDADEC