The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1908-10-01
The Hearst Exposure.
BY LEO.


bus and St. Louis, William Ran
dolph Hearst, the founder of the
Independence League party, read
several letters purporting to be
from Archbold, of the Standard
Oil Company, duplicating states
men of the two old parties. 1t
was like throwing a dynamite
bomb at his political enemies.
The explosion had some effect,
probably ending the political ca
reer of two or three political
leaders.
Our senior senator, Joseph Ben
son Foraker, is shown to be in
the employ of the Standard Oil
Company and receiving large a.
mounts of money for services
rendered to the corporation.
The letters seem to show that
the Senator was serving as at
torney for the Standard while in
the Senate. Senator Foraker de-
MES the charge most emphatic
ally, but admits that prior to his
election to the Senate he had
been in the service of the Stand
ard Oil Company, and was paid
large fees for his legal services.
1t is very probable that Sena-
tor Foraker could prove himself
not guilty if tried in court of
justice, for he is a very able ad-
vocate; but in the court of public
opinion condemnation is more
swift though less sure. The Sen
ator should have time for self
defense and explanation. The
Senator has already taken him
self out of the political campaign,
and the people will most likely
retire him from the Senate at the
proper time.
The Governor of Oklahoma has
also resigned his position as treas
urer of the Democratic campaign
funds. He pleads not guilty OF
being an agent of the Standard
q" Oil Company, but resigns his
place rather than be responsible
for any damage to Bryan. 81
The Hearst exposure has done
that much. 1t has also created
a widespread distrust of political
leaders, the very thing that Mr..
Hearst sought to accomplish.
Another result is the bringing
into the campaign letters from
President Roosevelt which, to
say the least, are very pungent.
Mr.. Roosevelt is a hard hitter.
He gave Bryan a blow of stag
gering potency. The Democrat
ic candidate is convinced by this
time that Roosevelt carries big
stick, and is ready to use it on
any adequate provocation.
Some blame the President for
injecting himself into the cam
paign; but the blame, if blame
there be, must rest mainly with
the Democratic candidate. Col.
Bryan sent a long telegram to
President Roosevelt, asking for
proof of Governor Haskells con-
nection with the Standard Oil
Company and gave instances of
his (Bryan's) own zeal in the
matter of reform. The Presl-
dent furnished the proof, which
he deemed sufficient to condemn
the accused and to drive him from
the public service. And in this
letter Mr.. Roosevelt commented
on the claims of the Democratic
candidate to be a political refor-
mer. 1t was a stinging rebuke.
Prior to all this candidate Bry-
an had been posing as the herr
to the Roosevelt policies, and
asking Republicans to cast their
votes for him rather than for
Judge Taft. This was CALLING to
the President. 1t forced from
him a long letter repudiating
BRYAN as his rightful 'heir'' and
making him out a mere claimant
without any good reason for his
claim. It was thought necessary
to do this in order to prevent a
misunderstanding among the
Presidents many friends.
Those who blame Roosevelt for
writing those letters should bear
in mind the provocation thereto.
The Democratic candidate drew
the firing on himself, and now