Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1908-09-23
BRYAN WRITES TOROOSEVELT
Takes Up Cudgels for Haskell in
Standard Oil Mlxup.
SAYS TREATMENT GIVEN UNFAIR
Declares He VIII Not Permit Any Ac-
credited Representative of DEM
Ocratic Organisation to
BE Abused.

DETROIT, Mich, Sept 22.-The remarka-
BILE spectacle of a presidential candidate re-
buking the chief executive of the nation
for making statements deemed to be un-
justified was witnessed today, when Will
liam j. Bryan in a letter to President
Roosevelt defended Governor Haskell of
Oklahoma, treasurer of the democratic
tional committee, against the charge that
he had unlawful connections with the
Standard Oil company.
Mr.. Bryan serves notice on the president
that as the candidate - the democratic
party, IT shall not psfmit any responsible
member of the republican organization to
mlsrepreeent the democratic party in the
present campaign"
He concludes with the statement that the
democratic party is making an "honest and
honorable fight" in defense of it's principles
and policies and expects and will demand
honorable treatment from those who are in
charge of the republican campaign"
Text of the Letter.
The letter follows:
"Hon. Theodore Roosevelt, president of
the United States-Dear Sir: In statement
given out by you yesterday and published
in this mornings papers, you endorse
charge made against Governor Haskell of
OklanOHla, TO Ine erect lndl ne was once
in the employ of the Standard Oil company,
and, as such employe, was connected with
an attempt to bribe or influence Attorney
General Monnett of Chicago TO dismiss
suits pending against the Standard OH COM
pany. In endorsing this charge, you at
tack the democratic party and its candi-
date, saying that Governor Haskell stands
high in the councils of Mr.. Bryan and is the
treasurer of his national campaign COM
mittee'
And you add that the publication of
this correspondence not merely justified in
striking fashion the action of the admin
istration. but also casts a curious side
light en- the attacks made upon the ad-
ministration, both In the Denver conven-
ton which nominated Mr.. Bryan and in the
course Of Mr.. Bryans campaign
Too Serious To Pass over.
Your charge is so serious that l cannot
allow II to go unnoticed. Governor Haskell
has denied that he was ever employed by
the Standard Oil company in any capacity,
or was ever connected in any way with it
or with the transaction upon which your
charge is based.
! Governor Haskell demanded an investi-
cation at the time the charge was first
made. offering to appear and testify, and
he demands an investigation now l agree
with you that II Governor Haskell is guilty
| as charged he is unfit TO be connected with
the democratic national committee, and 1
am sure you will agree with me that If he
! is innocent he deserves to be exonerated
from so damning an accusation.
| "As the selection Of Governor Haskell as
chairman Of the committee on resolutions
at Denver and as treasurer of the demo-
Il
and endorsement, l feel it my duty 10 de-
mand an immediate investigation Of a
charge against him endorsed by the presl-
dent of the United States. Your high posi-
ton as well as your sense of justice would
prevent your giving sanction and circula-
ton to such a charge without proof and |
respectfully request, therefore, that you
furnish any proof which YOU have in your
possession.
"Or II you have no proof, I request that
you indicate method by which the truth
may be ascertained. Without consulting
Mr. Haskell l will agree that he will ap-
pear for investigation before any tribunal
public or private, which you may indicate
and / will further agree that his connec-
tion with the national committee and with
this campaign shall cease in the event thai
the decision OF such tribunal connects him
in any way with this charge or in case you
after an investigation OF the facts say thai
you believe him guilty OF the charges made
BrSan States His Attitude.
"As the candidate Of the democratic party
shall not permit any responsible membe
OF the republican organization TO misrepre
sent the attitude OF the democratic partl
in the present campaign. l have assiste,
you to the extent Of my ability in remedia
measures which l deemed for the publi
good which you have undertaken; / hav
urged democrats to support such measure
} and have advocated more radical measure
against private monopolies than either yor
CONTINUED on Second Page,)