The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-10-07
SHOWS UP TEDDY
Bryan willing to Leave the issue
to the People.
QUOTES THE RECORD

Influence Of Trusts and Other Man.
aged Interests Not a Personal
Questionable Enforcement Of the
Law Would Not Be Spasmodic and
Discriminatory.
Replying to President Roosevelt's
most recent statement, w. j. Bryan,
in a letter addressed to the Presi-
dent, which was given out last night
at Rock Island, ILL.,, points to his
record and declares that 1t is suf-
hcient answer to the insinuations Of
the Chief Executive that he is in
connection with or controlled by tho
trusts.
Reverting to the charges against
Governor Haskell, Mr.. Bryan say
that the President, in response IN
his request, did not begin to suggest
a tribunal which could determine
those charges, but instead proceeded
to pass judgment upon him and
informs the President that the &C.
cupant of that high Office can not de-
ny to the humblest citizen the right
to protect his reputation and vindl-
cate his name in the courts.
81 am willing" says Mr.. Bryan,
that all your charges against me
shall be submitted to the voters Of
the county and with your charges I
submit denial Of any knowledge o:
information that could, in the re-
hottest way, connect me with any
trust, monopoly or law-breaking co.,
poration. My record is sufficient
answer to your insinuation. I have
lived in vain, II your accusations
have lost me a single friend. ]
challenged you to name a trust Of
fetal who is supporting me, and after
searching the country, you produce
the name Of n man, not a trust.
Without inquiring whether he votes
for me because Of his fear Of bust
ness adversely under MI. Taft, you
accept his statement that he Will
vote for me as conclusive proof that
I am in league with the trusts, al
though you admit that trust officials
are supporting the Republican ticket.
You compliment me when you meas
ure me by higher standards than
you do your political associates, for
you insist that Mr.. RoCkefeller's
contribution to Governor Hughes
campaign fund "a no reflection
upon him and I take 1t for granted
that you do not criticise Judge Taft's
recommendation of a Standard or
attorney to the Federal bench, a
place where the judge might have
to pass upon the charges against
the very trust for which he had been
an attorney. While the trust at
torney to whom you refer is not a
official of a trust, 1 will warn hiIl
and through him his clients that II
I am elected 1 will not only vigor-
ously enforce against all offenders
the laws which we hope to have
enacted in compliance with the Dem
ocratic platform, but that / will also
vigorously enforce existing laws
against any and all who violate
them, and that I will enforce them,
not spasmodically and internationally
but persistently and consistently;
they will not be suspended even for
the protection of cabinet officers.
"You say the attitude Of many
men of large financial interests war
rants you in expressing the beiiet
that those trust magnate5 whose
fear of being prosecuted under the
law by Mr.. Taft is greater than their
fear of general business adversely.
under me will support me rather
than Mr.. Taft. You have attempted
m word that statement In such 4
way as to claim the support or all
the trust magnates, and yet put IL Oh
he ground mat they are supporting
your party for patriotic reasons
rather than for the pomotion OF a
selfish interest. That is Ingenious
hut It Is not sound. The trust mag
nate are supporting the Republican
party and the Bible offers an eH-
PLANTATION, the OK knoweth his owner
and the ass his masters crib :. o
admit that you gave permission to
the Steel Trust TO absorb a flva.
and thus increase its control OF the
output of steel and iron products
T will leave the American people 10
pass Judgment upon that act ana
compare your position on the trust
question with mine.
"But your letter presents a de-
fence of your party's position and an
accusation against the oters which
embassies an issue already prom
inent You are the first consplc-
nous member Of your party to at
tempt an explanation OF the part! :
opposition to publicity, before Inc
election, and the admission which
YOU make will embarrass your party
associates. Your position is nat
the publication before election OF
the contributions made to your CAM
naien fund would furnish your polls-
ical opponents an opportunity TO
give. a false impression as to r.
fitness of the candidates. You cite
as illustrations the contributions
made to Governor Hughes campaign
fund. the contribution collected b.
Mr.. Hartman and the contributors