The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-09-25
BRYAN DEMANDS IHAT
PROOF Be FURNISHED
AS TO ROOSEVELT'S CHARGES
AGAINST HASKELL.
Sends a Telegram to Roosevelt Call
ing For Proof of Roosevelt's
Statements.

most sensational development IN the
present campaign was the sending to-
day by VIM. J. Bryan, Democratic
candidate for president, Of telegram
to President Roosevelt demanding
that he produce proof that Governor
Chas. n. Haskell. Of Oklahoma. treas
urer Of the Democratic national COM
mittee, ever was connected with the
Standard Oil Company.
Copies Of the telegram were given
out for publication just before Mr..
Bryan's departure for Ann Arbor,
late in the afternoon.
The programme of the local COM
mittee included an opportunity to
take long rest in the forenoon, but
the statement Of President Roosevelt
published this morning, in which the
president endorsed charges made
against Governor Haskell by VIM. R..
Hearst that Governor Haskell had
been connected with the Standard
Oil Company and had attempted to
bribe Attorney General Frank Mon
nett, Of Ohio, was sufficient to cause
him to forego that much needed
luxury and devote himself to the sub
ject of preparing a reply. He called
to his assistance John F. Lamb, Of
Indiana; Edwin O. Wood. national
committeeman from Michigan, and
several others Of the Democratic lead
ers, and also held lengthy conferences
over the long distance telephone with
New York and Chicago. Altogether
Mr.. Bryan consumed five hours in
these consultations before concluding
to address his telegram to the Chief
Executive. Up to a late hour to-
night he had received no reply from
Mr.. Roosevelt. The telegram is as
follows:
Bryan's Ultimatum.
F'Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, Presi-
dent of United States-Dear Sir: In
a statement given out by You yester-
day and published in this mornings
papers you endorse charge made
against Governor Haskell, Of Oklaho-
ma, to the effect that he was once in
the employ Of the Standard Oil Com
pany, and as such employee, was con-
nected with an attempt to bribe or
influence Attorney General Monnett,
of Ohio, to dismiss suits pending
against the Standard Oil Company.
In endorsing this charge you attack
the Democratic party and its candl-
date, SAYING 't!lat Governor Haskell
stands high in the councils Of Mr..
rByan and is the treasurer Of his ma
tional campaign committee and YOU
add that 'the publication Of this cor
respondence not merely justifies in
striking fashion the action Of the ad-
ministration, but also casts curious
side-light on the attacks made upon
the administration, both in the Den
yer convention, which nominated Mr..
Bryan, and in the course of Mr..
Bryan's campaign
"Your charge is so serious that |
cannot allow it to go unnoticed. Coy
ernor Haskell has denied that he was
ever emnloyed by the Standard OIL
Company in any capacity or was ever
connected in any way whatever with
it or with the transaction upon which
your charge is based.
Demands Investigation.
"Governor Haskell demanded an
investigation at the time the charge
was first made. offering to appear
and testify. and he demands an IN
vestieation now. I agree with You
that if Governor Haskell is guilty as
charged he is unfit to be connected
with the Democratic national COM
mittee. and I am sure YOU will agree
with me that if he is innocent he de-
serves to be exonerated from so
damning an accusation. As the Sc
lection Of Governor Haskell IS chair
man Of the committee on resolutions
at Denver, and also as treasurer OF
the Democratic national committee.
had my approval and endorsement: l
feel it my duty to demand an I'M
mediate investigation Of charge
against him endorsed by the preSl-
dent Of the United States. Your high
position. as we'll as Your sense OF
Justice. would prevent Your giving
sanction and circulation to such a
charge without proof. and respect