The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-09-25
ROOSEVELT
ANSWERS BRYAN
Confined from Third Page.)

~ %AS
II IL has to come by compromise with
any one on q matter Of principle
With a hundred fold clearer evidence
before YOU as to the connection Of
Governor Haskell with the Standard
OIL company, than Mr.. Taft then had
as to the campaign Of Senator Fora
ker with any corporation, you never
theless have secured Governor Has
kell as chairman OF the committee to
write the platform on which you
stand and put him IN as the treas
urer Of your campaign committee.
Haskell a Disgrace to the Democracy.
Let me add that Governor Has
kell's unfitness for any public posi-
ton Of trust, or for association with
any man anxious to make an appeal
on . moral issue to the American
people has been abundantly shown,
wholly irrespective Of this action Of
his connection with the Standard Oil
interests. Al an American citizen
who prizes his Americanism and his
citizenship far above any question Of
craftsmanship, I regard 1t as q scandal
and a disgrace that Governor Has.
kell should be connected with the
management Of any national cam
paign. I have not the space in this
letter to discuss Governor Haskell's
conduct, for instance, in vetoing the
child labor bill, or the fact that his
name appears a one the defendants
in various suits brought by the gov
eminent to prevent the Creek Indians
from having certain Of their lands
fraudulently taken; Or his connection
with various other matters Of the
kind; hut let me call your attention
to his conduct In prostituting to base
purposes the state university as set
forth In an article In the Outlook Of
September s, last, under the head OF
Shall the People Rule-in Oklahoma
In this article you will see that Gov.
ernor Haskell was given full oppor.
tunity to make every explanation and
that he made not one.
"After setting forth the facts as to
Governor Haskell's conduct, the Out
look article concludes as follows:
con this state Of affairs we have
two comments to make and two ques-
lions to ask.
Direct Charges.
""The people Of Oklahoma are taxed
to support their educational institu-
tons from the primary school to the
university. They pay their money to
have their children educated. When
the politicians use this money to pro-
mote their interest in q political ma
chine they are guilty OF : breach Of
trust. What do the taxpayers Of Ok
lahoma think Of the use which their
public servants are making Of the
public funds? What do they think
about this financial policy-the TAX
ing Of money due theil sons and
daughters and d~evoting it for the bene-
At Of politicians, ecclesiastical and
civil!
Governor Haskell was one of Mr..
Bryan's right hand men in the Demo-
cratic convention and at Mr.. Bryan's
instance has been made treasurer Of
the Democratic national committee.
~ is appalling to think what would be
the result in the educational systems
of the Philippines and Porto Rico, in
the digging of the Panama canal, in
the work Of irrigation and %re-forestra.
tion, in the administration OF the post
Office, interior and agricultural de-
partments, in the appointments Of for
eign ministers and consuls, If the
spirit which has actuated the Demo.
cratic authorities in the state OF Ok.
.lahoma should be permitted to take
control Of the federal government at
Washington. Governor Haskell, by
actions, which speak louder than
words. has declared his disbelief in
Grover C%leveland's motto: ga public
ONCE is q public trust"
".And Mr.. Haskell is q representa-
tive leader in the Bryan Democracy.
What does Mr.. Bryan thing Of Mr..
Cleveland's principle?
What do the American people
think of Mr.. Haskell's contemptuous
reversal Of it?'
you close your telegram by saying
that you expect and will demand fair
and honorable treatment from those
who are in charge Of the Republican
campaign. / am not In charge Of the
campaign, but am greatly interested
In it. I have shown you above fairly
and honorably that Governor Haskell
is q man who, on every account I
have named, Is unworthy Of any posi-
ton In our public life. No further In
vestigation Of these facts is required.
They are spread on the records be-
fore you and they were available
when Mr.. Haskell was chosen for
dis position as treasurer.
aivaa BRYAN Ran