The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1908-10-07
BRYAN SCORES AGAIN.
LATEST LETTER TO ROOSEVELT
IS UNANsWERABLE.
Great Democrat Riddles Presidents
Defense Of Republican Campaign
Methods and His Apology for His
Party's Trust Affiliations.

Rock Island, ILL.,. Sept. 29.-"I have
lived In vain II your accusations have
lost me a single friend" said William
j. Bryan, In letter addressed today
to President Roosevelt. replying to
that OF the president. written Sunday
last.
Mr.. Bryan points to his record and
declares that II Is sufficient answer to
the insinuations OF the chief executive
that he Is In sympathy with or con-
trolled by the trusts.
Reverting to the charges against
Gov. Haskell. Mr.. Bryan says that the
president. In response to his request.
did not deign to suggest a tribunal
which could determine those charges,
but instead proceeds to pass Judgment
upon him. and he informs the presi-
dent that the occupant of that high
Office cannot deny the humblest citi-
zen the right to protect his reputation
and vindicate his name in the courts.
The letter Is as follows:
Mr.. Bryan's Letter.
Rock Island. ILL.,. Sept. 20, 1908.
Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, President
of the United States. Washington,
d. G.
Dear Sir: A brief reply to your
last letter Is all that Is necessary to
call attention to your attempt to shift
the issues raised. In your letter attack
Ing Mr.. Foraker you inserted an at
tack upon Gov. Haskell and attempt
ed to use the charges against him to
connect the Democrat party. and me
as Is candidate. with the trusts. I
asked you to name tribunal before
which khe charges could be investigat-
ed. or X you would not do that, offered
20 leave II to you to say whether. in
your judgement, the charges justified
Mr.. Haskell's withdrawal from the or
ganization. You did not deign to sug-
gest a tribunal, but proceed to pass
judgement upon him. He immediately
resigned his position that he might be
more free to prosecute those who
brought accusations against him.
Thus his connection with the organiza-
tion ended. have no authority to
submit. and did not submit, to you
the question Of this guilt or innocence
for finai decision. Even the president
can not deny to the humblest citizen
Of the land the right to protect his
reputation and vindicate his name In
courts established for that purpose.
where witnesses can be examined and
evidence submitted according to the
rules Of law.
In my nrst letter to you resented
the imputation that any charges made
against Gov. Haskell could be Justly
construed as connecting the Demo-
cratic party. or me as its candidate,
with any trust. or law-defying corpor-
alton. You replied that the charges
were q matter Of general notoriety
and asked you why Mr.. Taft did not
mention them when he made speeches
against Mr.. Haskell In Oklahoma. You
at once endeavored to confront me
with new matters. which arose after
the Denver convention and, conscious
that those charges were insufficient,
you have since given wings to accu-
sations that no disinterested party
would make against another without
investigation. I am willing that all
your charges against me shall be sub
mitted to the voters Of the country
and with your charges I submit my
denial Of any knowledge or informa-
ton that could In the remotest way
connect me with any trust. monopoly
or law-defying corporation.
my record Is sufficient reply to
your insinuation. I have lived In vain
IL your accusations lose me single
friend. I challenged you to name a
trust official who is supporting me and
after searching the country you pro-
duce the name Of one man. and not a
trust official. but the local attorney Of
a trust. Without inquiring whether
he votes for me because Of his con-
nection with trust. or In spite Of 1t.
or because Of his fear OF business ad-
versity' under Mr.. Taft. you accept
his statement that he will vote for me
as conclusive proof that am in
league with the trusts, although you
admit that trust officials are supoprt-
ing the Republican ticket.
You compliment me when you
measure me by a higher standard
than you do your official associates.
Tor you insist that Mr.. Rockefeller's
contribution m rau Huohao,