Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1908-09-26
BRYAN CALLS
FOR PROOFS
Asks President to Make Good
Charges Against Haskell
WANTS HONORABLE TREATMENT

ivy "ii 10 i"ts hopteNciN Defuanu6
That He Prove Haskell Was Con-
neetsd With oil Trust-win Dismiss
Him As Treasurer Of Democrats
Campaign Fund n Accusation Is
Proved.
Detroit. Sept 23.-The remarkable
spectacle OF a presidential candidate
rebuking the chief executive OF the
nation for making statements deemed
70 be unjusti6ed was witnessed when
William J. Bryan in a telegram to
President Roosevelt defended Governor
Haskell, OF Oklahoma. treasurer OF the
Democratic national committee.
against the charge that he had uulaw
ful connections with the Standard OIL
company. NJ. Bryan serves notice on
the president that as the candidate OF
the Democratic party Il shall not peg
nit any responsible member of the
Republican organization to misreprc
sent the Democratic party in the pres
ent campaign"
The telegram concludes with the
statement that the Democratic party is
making IAN honest and honorable"
Sght in defense OF its principles ana
policies and expects and Will demand
honorable treatment from those who
are in charge OF the Republican cam.
paign"
I'm bis telegram Mr. Bryan says.
I'm statement given out by you
you endorse q charge made against
Governor Haskell of Oklahoma. to thc
effect that DE was once iu the employ
OF The Standard oil company, and as
such employe was connected with an
attempt to bride or influence Attorney
General Monnet OF Ohio. 90 dismi-e
suits pending against the STANDARD
OIL company. In endorsing this charrc
you attack the Democratic party and
Its candidate saying that Governor
Haskell stands high in the councils Of
Mr.. Bryan and is the treasurer OF his
national campaign committee And
you add that the publication OF this
correspondence not merely jusudes in
striking fashion the action of the ad-
miuistrauon. but also acts 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.. Bry.
ans campaign.
Your charge Is so serious that I
cannot allow 1t 20 go unnoticed. Gov.
ernor Haskell has denied that he was
ever employed by the Standard Oh
company in any capacity or was ever
connected ia any way whatever with
II or with the transaction upon which
your charge is based.
Governor Haskell demanded an in
vestigation az the time the charge was
hrst made, Offering 20 appear and tes-
tify. and he demands an Investigation
now. / agree with you that n GOV.
ernor Haskell is guilty as charged. ne
is UNIT 90 be connected with the Dem
ocrauc national committee. and I am
sure you will agree with me that N ne
Is Innocent he deserves TO be exoner
nted from SO damning an accusation.
AS the selection OF Governor Has
kell as chairman OF the committee on
resolutions at Denver and also as
treasurer OF the Democratic national
committee, had my approval and en-.
dorsement I feel Il my duty TO de
mand an Immediate Investigation OF a
charge against him endorsed by the
president OF the United States Your
high position. as we'll as your sense OF
Justice, would prevent your givin .
sanction and circulation 20 such
charge without proof. and ! respect
fully request therefore that YOU fur.
nish any proof which you have in your
possession or II you have no proof
request that you indicate q method bv
which the truth may be ascertained.
Without consulting Mr.. Haskell. | will
agree that he will appear for investi
CATION before any tribunal, public or
private. which you may indicate. and
will further agree that his connec.
ton with the national committee and
with this campaign shall cease in the
event that the decision OF such tri
bunal connects him in any way with
this charge, or In case you after an
investigation OF the facts. say that yol
believe him guilty OF the charges
made.
AS the candidate OF the Democratic
party / shall not permit any responsi
bic member OF the Republican organi-
@"N4DA ~ IA Isl = ~ ErEllL the dAillute or
the Democratic party In the presen,
campaign. / have assisted you 10 tn
extent OF my ability in remedial meas
ures which I deemed for the public
good which you have undertaken. II
have urged Democrats TO support such
measures and / have advocated more
radical measures against private mo.
nopolies than either you or your party ,
associates have been willing TO under.
take The platform OF the Democratic
party is clear and specific on this sub
Ject, as on other subjects. while the
platform OF the Republican party is
uncertain and evasive.
The Democratic party is making an
honest and an honorable fight in de
Tense OF the principles and policies
enunciated in its platform, and il ex.
poets and Will demand fair play. hon.
orable treatment from those who are
in charge Of the Republican cam
paign."